Real Madrid opens the door for Diarra, Lass Diarra, Gago and Van Der Vaart.

[RedRover]

So why do you think he's struggled to hold down a place at Chelsea, Arsenal and Madrid?

Carrick does an excellent job of being our holding midfielder player anyway, does he not? Especially in the big games - Arsenal being a good recent example.

You'll note that the lad is still fairly young. Left Chelsea because he had Essien in front of him and Arsenal because Wenger preferred Gilberto (still playing for Brazil at the world cup I think?)

He's played a fair few times for Madrid but is now up against Alonso in Mourinho's system which relies heavily on a deep lying creative midfield player.

He may be limited but he's very good at what he does. When players like Ramires are going for nearly £20 million he'd be a good buy at a decent price. I personally think a player like that allows others around him to get forward and brings some balance to the side. I reckon Hargreaves would be a regular if fit.

I don't rate Carrick in that position but thats my opinion. He'll always have the instinct to get forward and he struggles to impose himself on games regularly. A totally different type of player.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

So why do you think he's struggled to hold down a place at Chelsea, Arsenal and Madrid?

He has a bit of the lackadaisical about him. If he's only 24 there's some real potential in his career yet. Look at what Fergie has managed with Nani and Anderson.

Just so long as he doesn't put LASS on the back of his shirt I'd say he be a great signing.

 

[Wan]

Hargreaves first choice? He might be useful in certain games, but in the majority of the games outside the big games, he would be useless unless he plays out wide. His use of the ball wasn't really good whenever he plays in the middle.

 

[KingEric7]

If we get him, then Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher can be allowed to attack a bit more. We haven't spent 10 mil in the January window since the Vidic and Evra purchases though.

That's assuming he'd start, which he wouldn't, as a result of him being nowhere near good enough. After having demonstrated this at Arsenal, Chelsea and Madrid (how the feck did he manage this?!), this has become clear.

 

[Mick1991]

I think he made a mistake leaving Arsenal, he showed a lack of patience. He didn't seem willing to wait it out for his chances and instead opted for first team football with Portsmouth which to a level is commendable.

I just find it a bit strange that Chelsea and Arsenal let him go without any real fight, can't blame Portsmouth they were never really going to turn down silly money and now Madrid look like shipping him out (another tough one to judge with Madrid being slightly spasticated when it comes to transfers). Still remember that one cracking performance he had against us mind in the F.A cup semi a few years ago, but t'was only one game.

So what does the caf think, is he just unlucky with regards to the clubs he's been at or is there really nothing there that the clubs felt was worth fighting for?

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

So what does the caf think, is he just unlucky with regards to the clubs he's been at or is there really nothing there that the clubs felt was worth fighting for?

I think at Chelsea and Arsenal his situation was much more akin to Giuseppe Rossi's at United. Young player, who wants first team action will move. He went to Pompey of all clubs, just so he could be in a team's first 11.

At Madrid a player can run the risk of regime change hurting their playing chances.

Having seen him a fair bit for Portsmouth I would say he needs to apply a bit more ardour to his performances at times but he definitely has the talent to play at the top level.

 

[Mick1991]

I'd agree with you there Dwayne he certainly has the talent, maybe not easy on the eye but he was still a fan favourite at Madrid for a while which considering the position he plays is impressive.

His next club move will be extremely important on how it impacts on the rest of his career I think, he's starting to come of age and should look to settle down at the right club for the high of his playing abilities. He's an interesting one that's for sure.

 

[jojojo]

Anyone know much about sickle cell anaemia - Lass was diagnosed with it in the summer. As in, now it's diagnosed is it manageable or will he have acute attacks at random intervals in the future?
Hmmm?

 

[RedRover]

Hargreaves first choice? He might be useful in certain games, but in the majority of the games outside the big games, he would be useless unless he plays out wide. His use of the ball wasn't really good whenever he plays in the middle.

The point that I'm making is that it doesn't really matter how good Hargreaves passing is because he's not in the side to do that. He'd be there to protect the back four, provide some steel in midfield and break with the ball on the counter before giving it to someone who can do something with it.

Tonight United let Birmingham back in because they couldn't take hold of midfield. A holding player won't do that on his own but along with some decent ball players they can help kill the game and close it out.

 

[RedRover]

Anyone know much about sickle cell anaemia - Lass was diagnosed with it in the summer. As in, now it's diagnosed is it manageable or will he have acute attacks at random intervals in the future?
Hmmm?

I heard that it affects him at altitude and therefore isn't to much of a concern. Not sure if thats the full story though.