I thought Song was terrific against Boro. He carried the Gooner midfield - Fabregas included - and looked like he has come on a lot. A much better foil for Fabregas than the diabolical Denilson for my money.
Lassana Diarra
- Thread starter Cold_Boy
- Start date
I thought Song was terrific against Boro. He carried the Gooner midfield - Fabregas included - and looked like he has come on a lot. A much better foil for Fabregas than the diabolical Denilson for my money.
Plus it's not like Real cannot afford it, they got plenty of money and spend about £80m every season recently, they kept their pockets tight last Summer so they are free to spend money in winter, this acquisition takes their spendings to £45m or something near that figure this season.
Actually that's where I get confused to be honest.
Real in recent times have done well in getting quality players at reasonable prices recently - Van Nistelrooy, Robben and Van Der Vaart. Although the Pepe transfer clearly shows they'll never shy away from the big money, but they shouldn't have to.
Worth is relative in terms of the buyer and how much they need the purchase and how willing the seller is. Portsmouth aren't doing well financially and so you'd assume they'd be a reasonably willing seller. Madrid already have quality in their midfield and don't necessarily need Diarra. It makes no sense.
I have a feeling that the price he went for was a clause in his contract which let him go for a certain amount, he did mention something about a clause before.
You serious?
Song was awful against Boro, gave the ball away cheaply and didn't do anything useful with it going forward.
I don't get it either, although as for Robben I don't think he was really that cheap. He cost about £24m if I remember correctly and came with different injury issues that are yet to be sorted.
Ruud was a bargain for them although we wanted to get rid, the same way Arsenal wanted to sell Henry and offloaded him for £16m which can be considered as a knock-down price for a player of his calibre as well.
And van der Vaart, well, he had only one year on his contract in Hamburg and had to be sold, so £8m was a fair price.
So they basically make it look as they can negotiate a normal fee for a player sometimes, but then go and buy someone for silly money anyway. Pointless.
Well, it's all about opinions. I thought Fabregas stank the place out, and I am utterly confused as to why Diaby is played out on the left.
Song looked very strong at shielding the backline and snuffing danger out, I feel.
It's Real Madrid.
Their transfer policy is just buy players that will create media attention and impress the fans, mainly so that the president's can be elected.
It's unreal. If they actually picked the right players, with the prestige of their club and the amount of money they have, they really could make a brilliant team.
Right now they have a team that can't defend, even with a £24m right back, a £30m centre back and another centre back who was named Ballon D'or not too long ago. It's been like that ever since they sold Makelele.
Manchester United have targeted Real Madrid defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra as a potential summer acquisition, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Red Devils are apparently considering making a £17 million bid for the player, who has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu recently, losing his place in the first team to Fernando Gago.
Diarra joined Real from Portsmouth for £20m just 15 months ago, and has also spent time at Arsenal and Chelsea, where he never made much of an impression.
The report indicates that United may settle for the midfielder's namesake Mahamadou Diarra, 28, should their approach be rejected.
The Mali international has started only five games for los Blancos this season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer.
Real are reportedly interested in bring Red Devils left-back Patrice Evra to the Bernabeu, and may attempt to use either Diarra to tempt United into selling the Frenchman.
However, Ferguson has indicated that he does not want to lose any top performers this summer.
The Red Devils are apparently considering making a £17 million bid for the player, who has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu recently, losing his place in the first team to Fernando Gago.
Diarra joined Real from Portsmouth for £20m just 15 months ago, and has also spent time at Arsenal and Chelsea, where he never made much of an impression.
The report indicates that United may settle for the midfielder's namesake Mahamadou Diarra, 28, should their approach be rejected.
The Mali international has started only five games for los Blancos this season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer.
Real are reportedly interested in bring Red Devils left-back Patrice Evra to the Bernabeu, and may attempt to use either Diarra to tempt United into selling the Frenchman.
However, Ferguson has indicated that he does not want to lose any top performers this summer.
Somebody should be held responsible for Gaga replacing Diarra
Knew that would come into the equation.
Top barter. Think we should bite their hands.
He's no better than what we already have
We can't have Lassie? OK we'll take another bloke with the same name.
Thought the same thing, it's ridiculous. Imagine getting paid to write made up crap about football! Actually we should get paid posting on the Caf, a tenner a post.
Niall, make it happen.
i do rate diarra. esp if hargreaves is permacrocked. however straight cash deal only. plus if he came back, he'd actually wear diarra on his shirt instead of stupid fecking 'lass'.
Always liked Diarra.. wouldn't mind. Lassana that is.
Bit pointless getting him wouldn't you think? He'll be moving because he's not a regular Madrid and that won't change here.
Maybe.. but I think he's a good hybrid between defence and attack which is what our team is struggling with due to the poor form of Carrick.
We lack someone who gets the ball off defenders and with their mobilty and ability on the ball can help move us forward and construct an attack.. Scholes and Anderson apart we really lack someone who has the technical ability to do this.
Diarra on form can do this, he has alot of drive and whilst he is small.. he is strong on the ball and isn't shy to take it off the defenders.
Not my first choice, but he'd not be a bench player.. he'd improve our midfield play.
We lack someone who gets the ball off defenders and with their mobilty and ability on the ball can help move us forward and construct an attack.. Scholes and Anderson apart we really lack someone who has the technical ability to do this.
Diarra on form can do this, he has alot of drive and whilst he is small.. he is strong on the ball and isn't shy to take it off the defenders.
Not my first choice, but he'd not be a bench player.. he'd improve our midfield play.
He's a bit rubbish. No thanks.
Would be really stupid of City - De Jong is better.
Would be really stupid of City - De Jong is better.
He's decent at most things, brilliant at none.
Not for me.
Not for me.
Don't rate Diarra. Proper ball chaser, always shown up against top sides.
You don't rate him because he has shown up against top sides?
I just missed a word, it's a northern/lazy thing. I mean he is always shown up, rather than he has always shown up.
Well he's better than Hargreaves. Just not the kind of midfielder I hope we're looking at. He did play very well for Madrid last season but again, if Anderson is going to step up and become even half of what he's supposed to be potentially capable of then he's going to be a similar player in he next season or two. So not for me. Wouldn't mind VDV though, he's played well in Madrid's midfield 3 this season and will probably be let go this summer for being dutch. Since we like to be tight with the "value for money" stuff, maybe he'd be a decent option.
Hmmm... this story seems to be gaining some traction...
Sky Sports | Football | Transfer Centre | Speculation | Diarra welcomes United link
Sky Sports | Football | Transfer Centre | Speculation | Diarra welcomes United link
Sounds like bollocks.
That's the wrong Diarra, not a fan of either of them though in any case.
Disagree. De Jong is overrated, even at the Euros Engelaar was better.
he had his chance to join United years ago... plus, we dont need another bench warmer, we need instant quality
pic related
I doubt there is any truth at all in this rumour and Diarras agent is just getting his name out there to advertise the fact that he wants out of Real. I would imagine if Fergie was gonna splash on a DM which I doubt he will then he would go for Rodwell first to develop him!
With Fletcher as our only consistent and consistently fit ball winner in midfield I wouldn't mind Diarra (Lassana version) here.
not for us.
He used to be good enough, Mamodou that is. He isn't any more. The injury finished him.
As for Lass. He is a down grade of Fletcher IMO. Only worth pursuing if Hargreaves is finished.
As for Lass. He is a down grade of Fletcher IMO. Only worth pursuing if Hargreaves is finished.
Engelaar was better at the Euros... handful of games though and a terrible way to judge a player. Engelaar clearly isn't as good as De Jong.
Diarra, 25, is being discussed as a £20million target for Tottenham as well as Manchester United, with Sir Alex Ferguson prepared to spend a significant sum to bolster his midfield.
The French international has experience on these shores thanks to stints at Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth before he moved to the Spanish capital last year.
More: Manchester United transfer news and rumours
And, according to reports, his agent is trying to engineer a move back to England within the next few weeks after Jose Mourinho's arrival as Madrid's new manager.
Diarra was signed by Chelsea while Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2005, but after failing to hold down a first-team place he was sold to the Gunners in 2007, who in turn offloaded him to Pompey in 2008.
A successful spell under now Spurs manager Harry Redknapp followed before the coach departed for north London and Diarra was sold to big-spending Real for £19million.
Diarra's previously turbulent relationship with Mourinho, who was continually reluctant to play the tough-tackling midfielder, has led to widespread speculation he could leave the Bernabeu this summer.
More: Spurs transfer news and rumours
And although he is thought to have expressed an interest in a reunion with Redknapp, the emergence of Tom Huddlestone at White Hart Lane means United currently lead the race for Diarra's signature as Ferguson is determined to add more guile to his midfield.
Either way, Diarra's unfortunate stomach problems which have led to his withdrawal from this summer's World Cup mean he has more time to look into his club options - with England a likely destination if he were to move on.
The French international has experience on these shores thanks to stints at Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth before he moved to the Spanish capital last year.
More: Manchester United transfer news and rumours
And, according to reports, his agent is trying to engineer a move back to England within the next few weeks after Jose Mourinho's arrival as Madrid's new manager.
Diarra was signed by Chelsea while Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2005, but after failing to hold down a first-team place he was sold to the Gunners in 2007, who in turn offloaded him to Pompey in 2008.
A successful spell under now Spurs manager Harry Redknapp followed before the coach departed for north London and Diarra was sold to big-spending Real for £19million.
Diarra's previously turbulent relationship with Mourinho, who was continually reluctant to play the tough-tackling midfielder, has led to widespread speculation he could leave the Bernabeu this summer.
More: Spurs transfer news and rumours
And although he is thought to have expressed an interest in a reunion with Redknapp, the emergence of Tom Huddlestone at White Hart Lane means United currently lead the race for Diarra's signature as Ferguson is determined to add more guile to his midfield.
Either way, Diarra's unfortunate stomach problems which have led to his withdrawal from this summer's World Cup mean he has more time to look into his club options - with England a likely destination if he were to move on.
We have Fletcher, who plays a similar role and who's the superior player.
Can't see this happening, at least not for the reported £20M+ fee. When a player has been overlooked by Mourinho and then Wenger it tells me he can't be all that great, although personally I thought he looked very good playing for Portsmouth. It was Portsmouth though.
Also seems there could be attitude problems and a head like a sperm whale.
Also seems there could be attitude problems and a head like a sperm whale.