How will we line up next season?

[The Rule]

Obviously it's early in the season, but Rafa has been busy already.

Possible line-ups for 2008/2009 season here.

[The Rule]

With the current rumours going around, i'm looking at something along the lines of

-------------------------Reina------------------------

Carragher---Skrtel----------Agger---Dossena

Babel--------Hamsik----Mascharano--Krancjar

-----------------------Gerrard------------------------

------------------------Torres-----------------------


Now before everyone starts going on about Carragher playing rightback, look at this past season. Rafa used him there a number of times and he played very well. And Agger and Skrtel could be a great partnership.

I'd actually prefer to see us sign Bentley instead of Hamsik(although his friendship with Skrtel could help both), play him on the right, push Gerrard back in beside Javier and use Babel just off Torres but i don't think that will happen.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reina

Degen, Skrtel, Hyypia, Carragher

Joaquin, Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel

Crouch, Torres

[NJ10]

Originally Posted by The Rule

With the current rumours going around, i'm looking at something along the lines of

-------------------------Reina------------------------

Carragher---Skrtel----------Agger---Dossena

Babel--------Hamsik----Mascharano--Krancjar

-----------------------Gerrard------------------------

------------------------Torres-----------------------


Now before everyone starts going on about Carragher playing rightback, look at this past season. Rafa used him there a number of times and he played very well. And Agger and Skrtel could be a great partnership.

I'd actually prefer to see us sign Bentley instead of Hamsik(although his friendship with Skrtel could help both), play him on the right, push Gerrard back in beside Javier and use Babel just off Torres but i don't think that will happen.

Dont know anything about this Hamsik really, seen a couple of clips of him. He is only 21 isnt he? I'd be surprised if he came in and became first choice straight away, its a step up from Napoli.

Kranjcar would be an interesting one. He is a good player, be interesting to see him step up a level. He was Pompey's best player both this season in general and in the Cup final so I expect they would be after a hefty fee for him.

id like to see Gerrard back alongside Mascherano, and another striker brought in. Villa would be nice of course but we can dream, Babel & Torres would need a lot of work as a partnership.

[The Rule]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Reina

Degen, Skrtel, Hyypia, Carragher

Joaquin, Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel

Crouch, Torres

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Ha!!

Crouch?

haha!

Hyypia??

hahahaha

[The Rule]

Originally Posted by NJ10

Dont know anything about this Hamsik really, seen a couple of clips of him. He is only 21 isnt he? I'd be surprised if he came in and became first choice straight away, its a step up from Napoli.

Kranjcar would be an interesting one. He is a good player, be interesting to see him step up a level. He was Pompey's best player both this season in general and in the Cup final so I expect they would be after a hefty fee for him.

id like to see Gerrard back alongside Mascherano, and another striker brought in. Villa would be nice of course but we can dream, Babel & Torres would need a lot of work as a partnership.

Villa would be nice, although himself and Torres as a partnership hasn't really worked for Spain.

Agreed that Babel and Torres would need to work together for a while to get their partnership working, can't imagine too many defenses would enjoying playing against that type of pace though.

Hamsik is a stunning player, been a regular in the Serie A for years. and although it'd be a step up club wise, he's played at the highest level internationally on a number of occasions.

[azzurri]

He played a few games when he 1st moved to Brescia, but the vast majority of his playing time in Italy has been in serie b.

This year was his 1st real season in serie a, at 20 years old, which really put's his performances into perspective. The only midfielder to score more goals than him this season is Kaka.

He often draw's comparisons to Nedved. I slightly agree in that he has the same work rate and power to his game. He doesn't sit as deep in midfield like Alonso, so he wouldn't be as direct of a replacement.

Liverpool are a bigger club, but Napoli as a footballing city is fanatical. I think he will stay another season in Italy, but u can never be sure when prem money comes around.

[The Rule]

I forgot Brescia had been in Serie B when he was there. Thanks for the correction mate.

Napoli fans are probably the best in the world. I've been to Naples a few times and the whole city seems to live through the football club. I'd love to see Napoli build a great team around Hamsik but they don't appear to have the funds unfortunately.

I'd agree that Hamsik wouldn't be a direct like for like replacement for Xabi. He has more thrust and drive to his game than Xabi. But in terms of his vision, his ability to dictate and control a game, i think he'd be the ideal replacement.

[azzurri]

You raise a good point about his vision. He is towards the top of serie a in term's of passes made in the opposing half and successful crosses (more so than Dossena, the fb you're interested in signing). Along with Giovinco, serie a hasn't seen a youngster look so convincing in their first season in serie a for a while.

[The Rule]

The times i've seen him play he's left me stunned with some of the passes he played. He seems to have eyes all over the place and the ability to place the ball exactly where he wants it. But he also seems to know when to keep it simple and maintain possession, which Alonso sometimes struggled with.

We're being linked with Hamsik, Niko Krancjar and Dossena, so obviously Rafa is looking to make our team more creative and attack minded.

To be honest, i don't know a thing about Dossena, what's your thoughts on him.

[The Rule]

On a side point, you seem to know your stuff about Italian football and the players there, what do you make of Matteo Brighi. I first saw him play for Rimini in about 1999, and i remember thinking he'd be a future star for the National team and one of the big 5(Lazio, Roma, Inter, Milan, Juventus) but his career never seems to worked out right for him. Is saw him play some great games for Chievo but he never seemed to have consistancy in his game.

What's your view on him?

[azzurri]

Dossena = Good season but a decent player. He can play in the midfield as well. He wouldn't be on the top of my list, and a club like Liverpool should be aiming higher.

If Rafa is looking for a lb in Italy, Vargas is a much better player.

As for Brighi, he never lived up to his hype. Even at 26/27(?), he still look's raw to me. Than again, that could be from the constant loan's. Roma will keep him because they need the cover, but I dont think he fit's in with Spalletti's football.

[The Rule]

Do you think Brighi could excel in a different league? England, Spain, France or Germany maybe?

I'm not familiar with Vargas, who does he play for?

[azzurri]

I think Brighi is good enough for a UEFA Cup team in Italy. He is a decent player, but not the talent he was suppose to turn into.

Vargas play's for Catania. He is the best lb in Italy imo (although he is more of a wingback given his constant attacking pressure)

He has a wicked left foot. He lead's the league in successful crosses, and scored a couple goals as well (I remember him scoring a screamer vs Milan this season)

Catania narrowly escaped relegation, and their president has declared his willingness to sell. There are alot of club's interested though, and if he goes overseas I think Catania will hold out for at least £10m.

[The Rule]

Just had a look at him on Youtube, looks like a great player from the video clips. Seems a bit of a nutjob though. Nicknamed El Loco!