Another, you mean. We already have Carrick.
Xabi Alonso | Bayern Munich player
- Thread starter Plan M
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
- Status
Another, you mean. We already have Carrick.
Well, sort of. I think Alonso's a level above even Carrick.
Only in the past. Carrick has been the better player for two seasons easy now. Alonso has a very bad season for Madrid last year, and Carrick's was stellar.
Carrick was quality last season. Been sluggish for most of this before he was injured though.
Sorry, just seen this mate.
It seems like he might be gone indeed now that we're after Gundogan.
Very bad only compared to his previous heights. He still had an excellent season, one certainly comparable to Carrick's.
Don't even know if I'd take him back at Liverpool.
No chance of it happening but it would be pure gold to see the reactions of the scousers.
No worries mate, thanks for the response though! Noooo! Hands off Gundogan!!!
Funny enough, I hope I wasn't tripping but didn't Alonso extend his contract yesterday? You guys have a lot of quality in there and if you add Gundogan, the Caf's going to go into Meltdown!!!
Incidentally how's Illaramendi progressing? Will he ever hold down a first XI spot? Modric seems to be number 1 ATM. Though the youngster has time on his side, it's not like Modric is nearing the end and signing someone like Gundogan might impact his place even more.
I can see Khedira leaving though.
Vato will provide the answers
Alonso's still under no pressure for his place, despite the signings. If anything, when available, he's been playing too many games. I do think he finds the circus tiring, but Marca now think he may be willing to stay for at least another year.
Is it about money? One factor perhaps, and the one Madrid will deal with most easily. I'm sure they'll bump him into the Bale, Casillas, Ramos group - on about 6m Euros after tax (about £5m net, £10m gross).
Illarramendi on loan? No harm in asking - they might not be willing to do it, with Khedira out and Alonso a bit fragile, but he isn't getting much game time and he needs to be playing. But I suspect he'd be better off with a loan to a Spanish club, too much trauma for one year otherwise.
Is it about money? One factor perhaps, and the one Madrid will deal with most easily. I'm sure they'll bump him into the Bale, Casillas, Ramos group - on about 6m Euros after tax (about £5m net, £10m gross).
Illarramendi on loan? No harm in asking - they might not be willing to do it, with Khedira out and Alonso a bit fragile, but he isn't getting much game time and he needs to be playing. But I suspect he'd be better off with a loan to a Spanish club, too much trauma for one year otherwise.
Alonso is one top-class CM we don't actually need, as he's similar to Carrick, and both coming into their mid-30s.
The PL side that would be best for him is Chelsea IMO. Ramires would do all the running and Alonso could dictate.
The PL side that would be best for him is Chelsea IMO. Ramires would do all the running and Alonso could dictate.
I think Alonso can play alongside with Carrick.
He's better than Carrick so yes he'd walk into our side even at 32. I'd love him here but it's not happening.
Even if you disagree with me you surely can't possibly think that Carrick and Alonso would be a PERFECT combination...
They are both immobile players who are very similar and both have played their best football when playing alongside more nimble/energetic players.
They'd be alright together because they're both fantastic players, but the combination wouldn't get anywhere the best out of either of them.
We will need all kinds of midfield at the moment. At worst he can rotate with carrick. We can never say no to a player of hi calibre
We don't need all kinds of midfielders, we need one midfielder who can get forwards and create things. Stock piling players is pointless.
Illarra is showing good signs after his difficult start but nowhere near consistent enough to replace Alonso for good. Modric is undoubtedly number one for a midfield spot when the team is being picked, he's been consistently great, game after game. We also have Casemiro who we brought in this summer but he hasn't convinced many yet either.No worries mate, thanks for the response though! Noooo! Hands off Gundogan!!!
Funny enough, I hope I wasn't tripping but didn't Alonso extend his contract yesterday? You guys have a lot of quality in there and if you add Gundogan, the Caf's going to go into Meltdown!!!
Incidentally how's Illaramendi progressing? Will he ever hold down a first XI spot? Modric seems to be number 1 ATM. Though the youngster has time on his side, it's not like Modric is nearing the end and signing someone like Gundogan might impact his place even more.
I can see Khedira leaving though.
I hope Alonso stays for at least another year, but if he doesn't, I can see us go all out on Gundogan or another quality CM to play alongside Modric.
If he's out of contract and he wants to come here (all hypothetical) and given we sign nobody, yes we need him. Carricks injured atm, and you dont expect a 33 years old to play 50+ games in a high tempo 2 man midfield.
Besides, half of our midfield will be sold retired that we"ll need more than one quality signing as cover.
Jonathan Norcroft said in The Sunday Times that Alonso is the prototype of the midfielder Moyes wants. "A player with class, passing range, competitive spirit and presence".
If we were to bid for him outright in January, how much do you think he'd cost? Taking into account he'll have 6 months left on his contract and has already stated that he'll leave at the end of it.
Well hell no, it's not like a squad like yours needs talent like his, Benitez knows
I would gladly give up a testicle if he were to sign for us in January.
With Khedira out he won't sign in January, even if they managed to bring someone else in - difficult in January - that still leaves them light in central midfield.
Don't see any way he'd join you.
With him going Real madrid will be all over Gundogan, we'll miss out on a topclass midfielder again...
He's 32 lads. A quality player indeed, but surely Moyes will be looking to bring in players that will be here longer than 2 seasons.
Valid argument if your midfield is already well-functioning, but right now? He's just what United need. Pirlo was 32 when he joined Juve and completely turned things around for us.
He can play for another 6 years. On a free he would be a bargain especially if we get somebody less experienced like Barkley or Koke alongside him.
But it's never going to happen anyway. I know it's been said before about other players. But I don't see him doing that to Liverpool fans plus he'd have a lot of big teams after him. I think he'd go to Juventus.
It's an interesting pairing for a myriad of reasons and I'm not sure they couldn't both be optimised in the same side. Their slowness and lack of agility is offset by their positioning, intuition and ability to recycle possession, and, theoretically, cover for each other. One would imagine a double pivot akin to the solid midfields of the past Brazil have allowed their attacks to thrive because of.
For us, I'd imagine our CB's could play a higher line, the full-back's could push on, both in expectancy of the ball reaching them if they make themselves available and awareness they've got a very strong midfielder willing to hold on in the inside for them and our attackers would be given carte blanche to thrive and express themselves.
For me, the bigger concern with those two paired up would be whether the 10 in front of them would be willing to do the running that would allow them to sweep and whether our wingers are good enough. If those two issues were covered, I'd think it'd be an excellent combination for us, albeit a wholly different style of play to what we're used to traditionally.
It was a hypothetical question.
Can't tell you the difference he would make to our midfield.
Just renewed his contract, a new two-year deal, keeping him at Real Madrid until 2016, according to Marca.
So the big rumour Gundogan to Real Madrid will now not happen i think.
feck sake. Read all the build up talk about how perfect he would be. Saw the thread was bumped. Hoped there was something to *** too. Nothing but disappointment.
I guess it's time for a title change?
- Status