Wellbeck to be featured in cup games?
David Villa | Monday 'defining day' for Spurs: Villa signs for Atletico Madrid
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Reds weigh up Villa swoop
James Robson
JULY 22, 2009
SIR Alex Ferguson is considering entering the race for Spanish superstar David Villa.
The United manager knows he is well behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in the queue of top clubs lining up for the Valencia striker.
Chelsea and Liverpool are also hoping to lure him to the Premier League.
But Fergie believes there is the chance of nipping in ahead of his rivals after learning of Villa's increasing frustration over his failure to find a new club this summer.
The 27-year-old wants to remain in Spain with Real and Barca his preferred options.
But as yet no move has materialised and the Spanish international is becoming increasingly restless.
Fergie has monitored his situation closely and sources in Spain claim he is ready to meet Valencia's £38m valuation. The danger is that Villa's representatives will use United's interest as a bargaining tool to force the hand of either Real or Barca.
Interest
Chelsea are also certain to renew their interest if they believe there is any chance of the player heading to England, while Liverpool would like to see Villa link up with his international team-mate Fernando Torres at Anfield.
Fergie has claimed that he will make no further signings this summer after recruiting Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan and Mame Biram Diouf.
But he has hardly touched the £80m United received from Real for Cristiano Ronaldo after missing out on top target Karim Benzema.
Even if he ultimately opts to pass on Villa, Fergie believes that 17-year-old Federico Macheda has the potential to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps and become United legend.
"Macheda is top drawer, a hero in the making, just as Cristiano was," he said. "It is hard to believe he is just 17. We probably need to check his birth certificate because I reckon he is at least 28.
"He is a player all right - and tough as old boots. He can look after himself.
"He does not have the lightning reactions of Ronaldo but he is quick around the box and he has an eye for goal."
MEN
But MEN was never that credible, was it?
James Robson
JULY 22, 2009
SIR Alex Ferguson is considering entering the race for Spanish superstar David Villa.
The United manager knows he is well behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in the queue of top clubs lining up for the Valencia striker.
Chelsea and Liverpool are also hoping to lure him to the Premier League.
But Fergie believes there is the chance of nipping in ahead of his rivals after learning of Villa's increasing frustration over his failure to find a new club this summer.
The 27-year-old wants to remain in Spain with Real and Barca his preferred options.
But as yet no move has materialised and the Spanish international is becoming increasingly restless.
Fergie has monitored his situation closely and sources in Spain claim he is ready to meet Valencia's £38m valuation. The danger is that Villa's representatives will use United's interest as a bargaining tool to force the hand of either Real or Barca.
Interest
Chelsea are also certain to renew their interest if they believe there is any chance of the player heading to England, while Liverpool would like to see Villa link up with his international team-mate Fernando Torres at Anfield.
Fergie has claimed that he will make no further signings this summer after recruiting Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan and Mame Biram Diouf.
But he has hardly touched the £80m United received from Real for Cristiano Ronaldo after missing out on top target Karim Benzema.
Even if he ultimately opts to pass on Villa, Fergie believes that 17-year-old Federico Macheda has the potential to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps and become United legend.
"Macheda is top drawer, a hero in the making, just as Cristiano was," he said. "It is hard to believe he is just 17. We probably need to check his birth certificate because I reckon he is at least 28.
"He is a player all right - and tough as old boots. He can look after himself.
"He does not have the lightning reactions of Ronaldo but he is quick around the box and he has an eye for goal."
MEN
But MEN was never that credible, was it?
I'd be in a coma from all the wanking if this actually happened.
It won't, though.
It won't, though.
No quotes, no sources = nothing to see here
We're not Manchester City. We have enough strikers at the moment - if we buy Villa we're going to have a 30 + million player on the bench every week, be it him or Berba.
The media whipping up a shit storm as usual
The media whipping up a shit storm as usual
I can't imagine us paying the money for Villa to be honest.
Especially not after the recent "we do not mercenaries at United" comment. I'm not claiming Villa is one but he's always been very clear about not wanting to leave Spain, and even claiming he would only join Liverpool if he were to leave the country. Paying potentially club record tranfer fee for a player who we know will want to bolt back to Spain when Real or Barca comes callling sometime in the future, is not a risk and heartache we want to gamble on.
He's said no such nonsense. He hasnt even publically stated that he wants to stay in Spain, let alone saying which teams he wants to play for. However, people have said on his behalf that he wants to stay in Spain (people from Valencia when he was on the market) and no more than that.
And you know that how.... 
"When I said I had taken a decision it was true, and this decision is that next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me, I will not go abroad." - David Villa
Source: FIFA.com
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1076566.html
It's fairly apparent that the lad wanted a move to Real or Barca - but thats not going to happen now.
he will move on a some point. He's not young and next move is likely to be his last big contract. I think he'll move unless Valencia resolve their finance issues and are able to offer him something lucrative.
I wouldn't pay too much attention to what a player does or doesn't say - often they're misquoted by the press. I heard these quotes a while ago and it's clear his situation has changed since then.
If or when he moves - whoever signed him has bagged a superb player.
If Liverpool get the money that is being talked about for Alonso,then he could end up there,after all it would be just like staying in Spain.
Because if he'd said it publically it would be in the public domain. Hence you could find a quote where he says that if he leaves Spain it'll be for Liverpool. Short of fabricating that quote yourself, you wont be able to do that.
Fair enough. I'm sure he hasnt said he'll go to Liverpool if not a team in Spain, though
Because if he'd said it publically it would be in the public domain. Hence you could find a quote where he says that if he leaves Spain it'll be for Liverpool. Short of fabricating that quote yourself, you wont be able to do that.
Fair enough. I'm sure he hasnt said he'll go to Liverpool if not a team in Spain, though
The Spain forward has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid, but he was keen to register his interest in moving to Anfield. “Liverpool have a Spanish coach [Rafael BenÍtez] and I have lots of friends there,” the 26-year-old said.
He didn't say he will go to Liverpool, but that direct quote is an easy hint at his preference
Source: Times Online from last year
The Spain forward has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid, but he was keen to register his interest in moving to Anfield. “Liverpool have a Spanish coach [Rafael BenÍtez] and I have lots of friends there,” the 26-year-old said.
He didn't say he will go to Liverpool, but that direct quote is an easy hint at his preference
Source: Times Online from last year
Or more likely it was his direct response to a question put to him about whether he'd consider moving to Liverpool. Last summer he said something about Arsenal's style saying he likes it, once again most likely just a response to a question put to him.
Villa WILL stay in Spain, I'd put my house on it. Why the hell he hasn't already signed for Barcelona I don't know, he'd be fantastic there.
erm... just a guess but because they are getting ibrahimovic instead...
perhaps valencia could be tempted by a berbaflop swap... though thats just wishful thinking on my part
So when "Berbaflop" is scoring dozens of goals and providing a good partnership with Rooney next season you'll change your tune EZee? Or still hate him for sake of it? I bet you were one of the same idiots saying Ronaldo was a "flop" after his first season at United too?
Leave Football Manager alone for one night, you'll wake up with a clear head.
As for staying in Spain, hasn't Villa already said a hundred times that is where his heart lays?
Leave Football Manager alone for one night, you'll wake up with a clear head.
As for staying in Spain, hasn't Villa already said a hundred times that is where his heart lays?
nah... im sure we will have berbaflop next season...
and i hop he proves me wrong...
but after verons 1st season i said he was a great player but not what we needed...
and im afraid i see the same with berbatov... a fantastic player but he seems to want to play in the same areas as rooney and he is simply not as good... same with veron and scholes
i think owen (if by some fluke he remains largley injure free) will score more than berbaflop next season...
as for villa it will come down to if valencia do need the cash or not... if they do then im sure he will go somewhere but hopefully they keep him
This.
Cant believe how much stock people invest in quotes with no context or, even worse, misleading and inaccurate context.
Should end speculation now.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2566803/Rafa-eyes-Villa-deal.html
Personally, im not too worried about Villa. I would rather see a Villa/Torres partnership with Gerrard back in midfield than the Torres/Gerrard partnership that worked so well for them last year. Playing Torres/Villa will mean playing one of them wide in a 4-3-3, or playing a pretty rigid 4-4-2 that will relegate Stevie G to a deeper role with less freedom (or shunted onto the wing, where i dont feel he is that big a threat).
RAFA BENITEZ will use the money from the Xabi Alonso deal to bid for Spain striker David Villa.
Midfielder Alonso is expected to seal a £30million move to Real Madrid today - and Liverpool boss Benitez aims to pair Villa with current Kop frontman Fernando Torres in the double act that has been so deadly for the Euro 2008 champions.
Anfield skipper Steven Gerrard would move back into central midfield, alongside Javier Mascherano, with Benitez changing his formation to 4-4-1-1.
Villa, 26, has already turned down moves to Real and Barcelona this summer but Liverpool feel Torres can persuade his pal to leave Valencia for England.
Benitez, however, recognises potential difficulties in nabbing Villa and does have a Plan B.
Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, 24, is seen as a possible replacement for Alonso, 27, who asked for a transfer to force through his move.
Bernabeu bigwigs are haggling over the fee and have suggested a cash- plus-player swap. Liverpool, though, would much rather take a full cash payment.
Midfielder Alonso is expected to seal a £30million move to Real Madrid today - and Liverpool boss Benitez aims to pair Villa with current Kop frontman Fernando Torres in the double act that has been so deadly for the Euro 2008 champions.
Anfield skipper Steven Gerrard would move back into central midfield, alongside Javier Mascherano, with Benitez changing his formation to 4-4-1-1.
Villa, 26, has already turned down moves to Real and Barcelona this summer but Liverpool feel Torres can persuade his pal to leave Valencia for England.
Benitez, however, recognises potential difficulties in nabbing Villa and does have a Plan B.
Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, 24, is seen as a possible replacement for Alonso, 27, who asked for a transfer to force through his move.
Bernabeu bigwigs are haggling over the fee and have suggested a cash- plus-player swap. Liverpool, though, would much rather take a full cash payment.
Personally, im not too worried about Villa. I would rather see a Villa/Torres partnership with Gerrard back in midfield than the Torres/Gerrard partnership that worked so well for them last year. Playing Torres/Villa will mean playing one of them wide in a 4-3-3, or playing a pretty rigid 4-4-2 that will relegate Stevie G to a deeper role with less freedom (or shunted onto the wing, where i dont feel he is that big a threat).
Why did you spoiler that?
Why did you spoiler that?
It's the new dumb thing to do on the caf these days
A major factor in United winning the league last year was the fact that Torress spent a lot of time injured and Liverpool had little else up top.
I'd certainly be concerned if Villa ended up at Anfield as for Spain they form teh best strike partnership in the world. Gerrard would probabaly accept fitting into another role and if Rafa could make it work, the top teams should be very concerned.
I fear that a few well timed signings from Chelsea or Liverpool could see us slip behind, like we did when Mourinho took over Chelsea. Buying young players is all well and good but its no guarantee of success.
actually i was doing it to lower the "wall of text" effect, and save space on anyone quoting the post. i hate when someone posts a giant long interview, and about 10 people go ahead and quote the damn thing, makes the entire page annoying to read.
United linked to a double swoop for both Villa and Silva aparantly this morning.
Obviously bollocks, but thought I would just let you all know
Obviously bollocks, but thought I would just let you all know
Hmm, that was pretty smart
Would the caf implosion be greater than the famous Nani+Anderson implosion?
TheReligion said:
Probably more to do with United facing Valencia on Wednesday than any real information filtering through to the papers.
Could be a good move.... sod the football - the wankathon that ensued would purge the 'caf of thousands, as muppets the world over collapsed; exhausted and dehydrated from days of ***ping, cocks-out, faces pressed drooling on keyboards and trousers around their ankles, leaving them in permanent vegetative states... Not that you'd notice the difference in some cases
Wednesday's headline: Villa and Silva spotted at Old Trafford.
I don't believe anything until Spoony's friends have reported to the SpoSpa HQ.
Spospa ? This bullshit still goes on ?
Villa and Silva would more than make up the loss of Ronaldo and Tevez. Even though they might need a season to adjust, using them sparingly in crucial league games would be a major boost to your number 19.
Let's hope they both show their YAWN tattoos.
Let's hope they both show their YAWN tattoos.
I would fear liverpool if they manage to get Villa...
But I think he will stay in Spain!
But I think he will stay in Spain!
No he couldn't, not even nearly. In fact I'd go so far as to say it would be disastrous to try. Putting Gerrard back into a 2-man CM would severely hamper him, meaning Liverpool wouldn't be getting the most out of arguably their best player. Furthermore Gerrard lacks the discipline to play the Alonso role - too often he wants to do it all, he has the ability to play that role, but not the temperament or intelligence.
The best things about liverpool last season were the Torres-Gerrard partnership, and the Mascherano-Alonso partnership. Rafa has successfully broken one of those up, let's hope he messes with the other now.
In Rafa we trust
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea To Swoop For Valencia Striker David Villa To Kick Off Summer Squad Overhaul - Goal.com
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea To Swoop For Valencia Striker David Villa To Kick Off Summer Squad Overhaul
Carlo Ancelotti given green light to move for Spain hitman
Chelsea are preparing a stunning bid to sign Valencia goal machine David Villa, to kick off the busiest transfer window at Stamford Bridge in four years, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The 28-year-old Valencia striker is finally set to leave the Mestalla this summer and is a target for clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But a source inside the west London club said they are hopeful of beating their rivals to the signature of Spain's prolific frontman, who has shot to the top of coach Carlo Ancelotti's shopping list this week.
Villa, who is tipped to be one of the stars of this summer's World Cup, is available to buy for £40 million, though the Blues have indicated to cash-strapped Valencia that they believe this to be too high.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has been told that significant funds are available to him to rejuvenate Chelsea's ageing squad, and with stars including Michael Ballack and Joe Cole out of contract and possibly heading for the exit door, spending could exceed the £68 million spent on players in the summer of 2006.
The move comes after Goal.com UK revealed last week that both Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery are transfer targets.
But suspicions are growing at Stamford Bridge that Ribery in particular is simply using Chelsea's interest to try and squeeze a concrete approach from Real Madrid, the club believed to be the Frenchman's first choice.
Chelsea have therefore refocused their attentions on Villa, who has passed the 20-goal mark in each of his five seasons at the Mestalla.
Villa himself has become more receptive to a move to England after switches to Real Madrid and Barcelona fell through last summer.
Last year Chelsea skipper John Terry urged the club to sign Villa, who scored six goals at Euro 2008.
Ancelotti confirmed on Friday that he will look to promote a handful of academy products, such as Gael Kakuta and Sam Hutchinson, to next season's first-team squad, but Roman Abramovich is still keen to bring in one or two 'marquee names'.
AC Milan prodigy Alexandre Pato is also a possible new addition at Stamford Bridge, and the 20-year-old Brazilian is keen to link up with his former coach Ancelotti.
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea To Swoop For Valencia Striker David Villa To Kick Off Summer Squad Overhaul
Carlo Ancelotti given green light to move for Spain hitman
Chelsea are preparing a stunning bid to sign Valencia goal machine David Villa, to kick off the busiest transfer window at Stamford Bridge in four years, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The 28-year-old Valencia striker is finally set to leave the Mestalla this summer and is a target for clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But a source inside the west London club said they are hopeful of beating their rivals to the signature of Spain's prolific frontman, who has shot to the top of coach Carlo Ancelotti's shopping list this week.
Villa, who is tipped to be one of the stars of this summer's World Cup, is available to buy for £40 million, though the Blues have indicated to cash-strapped Valencia that they believe this to be too high.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti has been told that significant funds are available to him to rejuvenate Chelsea's ageing squad, and with stars including Michael Ballack and Joe Cole out of contract and possibly heading for the exit door, spending could exceed the £68 million spent on players in the summer of 2006.
The move comes after Goal.com UK revealed last week that both Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery are transfer targets.
But suspicions are growing at Stamford Bridge that Ribery in particular is simply using Chelsea's interest to try and squeeze a concrete approach from Real Madrid, the club believed to be the Frenchman's first choice.
Chelsea have therefore refocused their attentions on Villa, who has passed the 20-goal mark in each of his five seasons at the Mestalla.
Villa himself has become more receptive to a move to England after switches to Real Madrid and Barcelona fell through last summer.
Last year Chelsea skipper John Terry urged the club to sign Villa, who scored six goals at Euro 2008.
Ancelotti confirmed on Friday that he will look to promote a handful of academy products, such as Gael Kakuta and Sam Hutchinson, to next season's first-team squad, but Roman Abramovich is still keen to bring in one or two 'marquee names'.
AC Milan prodigy Alexandre Pato is also a possible new addition at Stamford Bridge, and the 20-year-old Brazilian is keen to link up with his former coach Ancelotti.
No quotes, maybe just a rumour.
But surely it's illegal to have Drogba and Villa as striker partnership.
But surely it's illegal to have Drogba and Villa as striker partnership.