EIGHT runners and riders to replace Mascherano
It’s been a long time coming, but it would appear that the menacing, destructive and ubiquitous force that is Javier Mascherano’s time at Liverpool is sadly drawing to a tumultuous close, after the player is said to have informed the Liverpool board of his intention to leave the club this summer after signalling that he sees his future best served away from Anfield, with a potential reunion with former manager Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan on the cards. So who could possibly replace the menacing pit-bull? Let’s look at the options.
Scott Parker – The rumour doing the rounds at the moment is that Roy Hodgson has earmarked West Ham‘s Scott Parker as his replacement. The fee would remain a sticking point, with the Hammers demanding £15 for the main man, and while this is obviously negotiable to an extent, the player will be 30 years old in October and his age and potential wages have to be accounted for. The only real concern should not be the player’s quality, but the fee involved and with West Ham placing a rather inflated, even by English standards, price tag on his head, the player may have to push for a change of scenery for any potential move to occur. Parker is a personal favourite of mine and I’d have had him starting in the England side at this summer’s World Cup over that old trollope Gareth Barry. Parker is a box-to-box midfielder and while that sound bite is normally reserved for energetic centre midfielders of little talent, in Parker’s case at least, the label is entirely true and he makes a mockery of the tag being attributed to the likes of Kevin Nolan, Lucas Leiva and Jermaine Jenas. His acquisition will also come in handy given his nationality in conforming to new UEFA and Premiership rules regarding quotas of home grown players allowed in your squad. He was a driving force in ensuring West Ham achieved Premiership survival last term, he’s fearless in the tackle, decent on the ball and has a Thunderbirds meets Cockney geezer side parting – what’s not to like?
Rating – 9/10
Tiago – The former Chelsea midfielder has been strongly linked with a move back to the Premiership this summer after being frozen out of Serie A giants Juventus’s plans. He was sent on loan to Atletico Madrid last January, where he was able to start 18 league games and compete in the Copa Del Rey final. He was also a rare bright spark in a faltering Portuguese campaign at this summer’s World Cup and he has an excellent range of passing. What may count against him are his former ties with bitter rivals Chelsea and a certain blatant handball. At 29 years of age, Tiago has had a long and pretty distinguished career but he’s not a commanding presence in the middle of the park, which is what is needed at this present time, and any move for Tiago is in all likelihood, is only destined to be a short-term switch.
Rating – 6/10
Gilberto Silva – Speaking of short-term switches, former Arsenal enforcer Gilberto Silva has been strongly linked with a return to our fair shores. At 33 years of age, 34 in October, Gilberto is no spring chicken, and if memory serves me correctly, he was truly awful in his final season at Arsenal, lacking the engine to get around the park anymore, as well as being poor in possession and constantly dragged out of position, so it’s no wonder he swapped the hustle and bustle of the Premiership for the sunnier climes of Panathanaikos in Greece, and with it, assured Champions League football and semi-retirement. Gilberto to his credit, did look decent at this summer’s World Cup, and would most definitely represent a cheaper option, but a move for him smacks of a lack of ambition, a regression and just the sort of signal the club doesn’t want to send out a week after clinching the signing of Joe Cole. Swapping Gilberto Silva for Masceherano is like swapping an Aston Martin for an Austin Allegro, and the thought of two clueless Brazilians operating in Liverpool’s engine room next term is enough to turn even the hardiest of stomachs.
Rating – 3/10
Continued on Page Two
Football News 24/7
You missed Ever Banega, Liverpool have been linked with him far more than most of the names on your list.
Reply
What about Flamini,Banega or Cattermole.
Reply
Think you’ve overrated some of those listed, but given Parker’s prem experience he HAS to be the man to go for.
Reply
Ever Banega? Javi Martinez? Ricardo Montolivo?
Sort it out.
Reply
what about Cambiaso? the man is pure class and with Mascherano coming to Inter in the same position, why not? His tall, very good in the air and good passeur.
Reply
Toulalon, Banega, Veloso, Annan, Flamini, Moussa Sissoko etc. etc.
Reply
Considering Hodgson’s strong swiss ties, Inler would’nt be surprise. He’d fit in perfectly in 442, that’s how the swiss plays and Inler JAS by far been their most consistent player The last few years, he’s also a top professional
Reply
Considering Hodgson’s strong swiss ties, Inler would’nt be surprise. He’d fit in perfectly in 442, that’s how the swiss plays and Inler has by far been their most consistent player The last few years, he’s also a top professional
Reply
My source has informed me that Roy has been discussing the possibility of another Villa player whilst bidding for Luke Young. Apperently he’s ready to bid £4.5million to sign Nigel Reo-Coker. From what I’ve been told I think he may be nailed on as Masch’s replacement.
Reply
rafa is reportedly offering £12.5m + muntari for masch, so benitez, you must rate sully at £37.5m going by your own valuation of JM.
the only swap i would contimplate with bungling benny is this…we give him one ungrateful little bollocks and he gives us 30 of inter’s millions!….a real steal for rafa there!
Reply