Away from the title race, the battle for survival is heating up. Briefly looking at the candidates for the drop, there are a host of potential recruits for Rafa this summer.
This policy could prove fruitful for a few reasons: 1) Players can settle into Prem easier than foreign imports. 2) Prem chairmen recently admitted some variation on the 6+5 rule is necessary so Liverpool must add some UK-based/English players. 3) Relegated teams are often forced to accept inferior fees. 4) Players will be keener to move to maintain Prem status and salary.
SUNDERLAND
Survival chance**** Almost safe, Sbragia will be Keane to offload some of Roy's big buys.
GK: Craig Gordon - out of favour Scot came in for big money could prove able deputy to Reina.
DF: Anton Ferdinand - U21 regular but can we possibly employ Rio's sibling?!
MD: Steed Malbranque - has more assists than anyone in Prem, versatile but good enough?
FW: Kenwyne Jones - linked as replacement for Crouch - young, good foil for Torres but not very prolific (only 14 goals in nearly 2 seasons).
BLACKBURN ****
DF: Christopher Samba: elegant, tall French-Congolese centreback
MD: Morten Gamst Pedersen, left-sided winger - creative (6 assists in 18 games).
FW: Benni McCarthy: scored 45 in 3 Prem seasons - could be experienced back-up for Torres.
NEWCASTLE *** A lot of over-paid underachievers - still could be some bargains to be had.
GK: Steve Harper, linked as possible deputy but now first-choice following Given's departure.
DF: Coloccini is an Argie international but has struggled to adapt - could offer back up to Arbeloa.
MD: Nolan at 4.5m was a snip and is a Red - could offer could back up if Lucas is offloaded. or even Danny Guthrie to return for a lower price? Spiderman Gutierrez could be an option too.
FW: Owen is injury-prone but available on a Bosman.
POMPEY *** Several internationals here - the vultures will be circling!
DF: Johnson, widely linked as Arbeloa is considered limited offensively and Degen is brittle.
MD: Kranjcar: linked with Arsenal - versatile, great on set-pieces but not so prolific.
Utaka: Versatile Nigerian, pacey, skilful.
FW: Return of the Crouch?! 14 goals so far and would be welcomed back warmly by many fans.
STOKE ** Their direct, rugged football means few players will be attracting Prem scouts.
MD: Etherington - could prove a bargain buy as back up if Leto doesn't get a work permit.
M'BORO ** Huge debts and small attendances mean Boro could never return.
DF: Wheater - England U21 centre half could be excellent long-term replacement for Hyppia or even Agger if he departs.
MD: Downing, widely linked to Liverpool but also Spurs. Solid and consistent but really good enough for a title challenge?
FW: Tuncay - prolific striker in Turkey, now plays in hole or as winger for Boro.
Potential shopping list:
REPLACE DIEGO: Gordon, Harper
REPLACE DEGEN: Johnson, Coloccini.
REPLACE AGGER/HYPPIA: Wheater, Samba, A.Ferdinand, Distin.
REPLACE LUCAS: Nolan, Bouba Diop, O'Neil, Guthrie.
BACK-UP RIERA: Kranjcar, Pedersen, Etherington, Downing, Malbranque, Gutiérrez.
REPLACE KEANE: Jones, McCarthy, Crouch, Owen, Tuncay.
So Reds up and down the land must be rooting for Pompey to go down as Kranjcar, Johnson and Crouch would be excellent additions. Crouch would give us attacking options from the bench, back-up for Torres or the option of 4-4-2 at home, Johnson a more offensive alternative to ever-reliable Arbeloa and Kranjcar a more creative alternative to Riera.
This policy could prove fruitful for a few reasons: 1) Players can settle into Prem easier than foreign imports. 2) Prem chairmen recently admitted some variation on the 6+5 rule is necessary so Liverpool must add some UK-based/English players. 3) Relegated teams are often forced to accept inferior fees. 4) Players will be keener to move to maintain Prem status and salary.
SUNDERLAND
Survival chance**** Almost safe, Sbragia will be Keane to offload some of Roy's big buys.
GK: Craig Gordon - out of favour Scot came in for big money could prove able deputy to Reina.
DF: Anton Ferdinand - U21 regular but can we possibly employ Rio's sibling?!
MD: Steed Malbranque - has more assists than anyone in Prem, versatile but good enough?
FW: Kenwyne Jones - linked as replacement for Crouch - young, good foil for Torres but not very prolific (only 14 goals in nearly 2 seasons).
BLACKBURN ****
DF: Christopher Samba: elegant, tall French-Congolese centreback
MD: Morten Gamst Pedersen, left-sided winger - creative (6 assists in 18 games).
FW: Benni McCarthy: scored 45 in 3 Prem seasons - could be experienced back-up for Torres.
NEWCASTLE *** A lot of over-paid underachievers - still could be some bargains to be had.
GK: Steve Harper, linked as possible deputy but now first-choice following Given's departure.
DF: Coloccini is an Argie international but has struggled to adapt - could offer back up to Arbeloa.
MD: Nolan at 4.5m was a snip and is a Red - could offer could back up if Lucas is offloaded. or even Danny Guthrie to return for a lower price? Spiderman Gutierrez could be an option too.
FW: Owen is injury-prone but available on a Bosman.
POMPEY *** Several internationals here - the vultures will be circling!
DF: Johnson, widely linked as Arbeloa is considered limited offensively and Degen is brittle.
MD: Kranjcar: linked with Arsenal - versatile, great on set-pieces but not so prolific.
Utaka: Versatile Nigerian, pacey, skilful.
FW: Return of the Crouch?! 14 goals so far and would be welcomed back warmly by many fans.
STOKE ** Their direct, rugged football means few players will be attracting Prem scouts.
MD: Etherington - could prove a bargain buy as back up if Leto doesn't get a work permit.
M'BORO ** Huge debts and small attendances mean Boro could never return.
DF: Wheater - England U21 centre half could be excellent long-term replacement for Hyppia or even Agger if he departs.
MD: Downing, widely linked to Liverpool but also Spurs. Solid and consistent but really good enough for a title challenge?
FW: Tuncay - prolific striker in Turkey, now plays in hole or as winger for Boro.
Potential shopping list:
REPLACE DIEGO: Gordon, Harper
REPLACE DEGEN: Johnson, Coloccini.
REPLACE AGGER/HYPPIA: Wheater, Samba, A.Ferdinand, Distin.
REPLACE LUCAS: Nolan, Bouba Diop, O'Neil, Guthrie.
BACK-UP RIERA: Kranjcar, Pedersen, Etherington, Downing, Malbranque, Gutiérrez.
REPLACE KEANE: Jones, McCarthy, Crouch, Owen, Tuncay.
So Reds up and down the land must be rooting for Pompey to go down as Kranjcar, Johnson and Crouch would be excellent additions. Crouch would give us attacking options from the bench, back-up for Torres or the option of 4-4-2 at home, Johnson a more offensive alternative to ever-reliable Arbeloa and Kranjcar a more creative alternative to Riera.
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