good thing i just got my new toure jersey too, cus i don’t think my eto’o or ronnie jerseys will fly anymore

It’s interesting to note that Marca was saying that Spain’s Euro triumph proved that “titi-kaka” works. However, what Spain played was not titikaka. Xavi, though the worst offender in “titi-kaka” for us last season, was fantastic: directing the game (like Derek Rae kept on pointlessly repeating, he was the “conductor of the Spanish orchestra”, every pass he made had intention and was dangerous. That’s the type of game we should be aiming to play. Still possession-based, but always with an eye towards the goal. That’s why I think Hleb is a good signing, especially at that price.

Just to see the lads, whoever comes, and to see the colors live and in-person in a year where I am not going to be able to see matches in the Nou Camp for the first time in years? I’ll take it!

The fiscal analysis of this move is also spot on. 15 million doesn’t buy an untested Brazilian midfielder, apparently, but it does buy a bargain of a battle-tested in the Premiership midfielder. Can you imagine how giddy Hleb is going to feel, not being battered every time he touches the ball, in the “no blood no foul unless you’re Cristiano Ronaldo” Premiership world?

Silva didn’t impress me at Euros, and for 30 million, frankly I’d rather overspend for Adebayor. That money would be going for 30-40 goals a season, rather than another Iniesta.

And I know that this will be unpopular, but I would give Hleb a position over Iniesta, though my starting midfield for most matches would still be Xavi, Keita and Yaya.

There’s been a lot of debate on the value presented by the transfer fee of Hleb at €15million + variables. Here’s my opinion in a few different ways…
THE PLAYER: He has very good ball control, neat passing and does the Deco role in usually making the second last pass before a goal… (eg. passing to someone who makes the assist). He will not score goals but should make inroads into defenses that are packing the box with clever passing and movement. He does make others around him play better in general.
THE ALTERNATIVES: While Hleb makes a lot of space and plays for others he does not have an incredible return personally. The alternatives seem to be Silva and Hernanes. Silva is a very similar player to Hleb but will cost around €30million. He is younger and will score probably 5goals in a good season but will he contribute more in terms of team goals… probably not €15million worth. He is too similar to Iniesta. Hernanes on the other hand would not be a finished article and while has age on his side, certainly not in the immediate future, would not contribute as much as Hleb.
THE FEE: In the current market €15million doesn’t go far. It wouldn’t get you a 15goal a season midfielder. From the looks of it, it wouldn’t even get you an unproven, decent midfielder from South America. There is the age factor but with contracts meaning so little these days, signing a €30million 22yr old like Silva could be a bigger risk if in two years he decides to leave and buy-out his contract.
I’ll admit that it seems like a decent piece of business if not a world beater. We should not forget, we are looking for what would be our 5th choice starting midfielder (behind Toure, Keita, Xavi and Iniesta) or someone who can come off the bench to change things. I’ll take that

Now if this is true then Ade is not that bad an option..somewhere around 20-22 mill is the max I am going to give for him, anything more than that…and Milan can have him…But all this does not add up…yesterday we were looking and smiling at Milan willing to pay 38 million…today reports are coming in that the price was actually 45 and then halvened to something as Arsenal want to negotiate! Crazy summer (reminds me of stores…they beef up the price two times and then say we have 30% off!!)
Looks like Utd have bid for Berbatov today…so there we have it..no good, tall strikers left except Huntelaar and Ade.. and a couple more..