Summer 2010 Transfer Thread: B*llsh*t, Rumours & Wishes

[Merv]

I'd love to see the Japan player Honda at Villa Park.

You probably will, pitching up for Spurs or whoever's willing to take a bit of a risk.

I think De Jong's a bit more than just a kicker, but I'd agree that we look happier, more solid and fluid with a three-man centre midfield. If (when! it's a done deal, I keep forgetting!) we lose Milner I'm really concerned about the energy in our midfield. Replacing someone with his work ethic won't be easy, and Petrov was clearly lagging at stages last season; Delph could thrive in a three but he's out for a long time - whether it's a misquote or not that interview a few weeks ago said he'd be back towards the end of the season (!) and Sidwell not up to it. Our midfield basically needs rebuilding and a central trio could be the best way to go about it.

[boboonthecorner]

I see The Mirror have now linked us with Ben Arfa from Marseille??? Obviously take that with a huge pinch of salt. Seeing that he's now only valued at £12m I take it something has gone wrong for him.....

[Concrete John]

I think the priority isn't the tackler, though, it's the passing. It's all about the risk you're willing to take: go for the tackler and you risk not breaking teams down; go for more of a passer and you risk being caught more on the counter. I think that playing 3 in midfield can minimise the risk of having a passing player instead of a kicker, whereas the risk of not breaking teams down is far enhanced by playing a kicker, and is too great.

Yet when playing a more passing DM there in Petrov, we do have issues breaking sides down at home.  When I watch us at Villa Park in those games, I think we struggle for creative passing further up the pitch and not in the position we are debating.  However, I do think that the other three midfielders can get caught being too constrained with defensive duties sometimes, which is less likely with an NRC type there.

[TheSandman]

I think the priority isn't the tackler, though, it's the passing. It's all about the risk you're willing to take: go for the tackler and you risk not breaking teams down; go for more of a passer and you risk being caught more on the counter. I think that playing 3 in midfield can minimise the risk of having a passing player instead of a kicker, whereas the risk of not breaking teams down is far enhanced by playing a kicker, and is too great.

Play a creative midfielder alongside him then. I wouldn't be too disappointed with De Jong or similar in beside Petrov lying deep with Ireland or similar ahead of them in the three. We have needed a nasty bastard in midfield for a long time and that was always what disappointed me with Petrov and Barry being used. Hell, if we're stuck for cash I'd accept Reo-Coker playing that role even though I think a lot of people around here overate him massively.

What has really disappointed me is that Osbourne hasn't made it as he'd have been perfect for the role if he developed.

EDIT: And I'm pretty sure Darren Fletcher and Michael Ballack (In the role he played as Chelsea) are ultimately kickers who make niggling fouls.

[Dante Lavelli]

I would rather Petrov and Milner than Ireland and De Jong no question.  Would take either of them as the 3rd man in midfield though for the right price.

Thing is, with the second option you actually get Ireland, De Jong AND Petrov.  We might even get some small change out of the deal.

[jibba81]

Don't know if this has been discussed yet, but Man City have signed Yaya Toure and are talking to David Silva, a centre mid and a winger.

Could this mean that Milner is staying, or at least not going to them?

[pedro25]

Hmm... yer I see what you mean, but is it better than NRC, Milner and Petrov? About the same I'd say, but with the risk of 2 players not settling straight into the centre of our midfield, balanced against an extra bod and small change.  Not much in it, wouldn't be desperately disappointed with that though on reflection.

[TheSandman]

Don't know if this has been discussed yet, but Man City have signed Yaya Toure and are talking to David Silva, a centre mid and a winger.

Could this mean that Milner is staying, or at least not going to them?

I think that they are overhauling their midfield something like:

Johnson---Toure---Milner----Silva

OR:
------Toure-----Barry----
johnson----Milner----Silva

[Concrete John]

Don't know if this has been discussed yet, but Man City have signed Yaya Toure and are talking to David Silva, a centre mid and a winger.

Could this mean that Milner is staying, or at least not going to them?

I think that they are overhauling their midfield something like:

Johnson---Toure---Milner----Silva

OR:
------Toure-----Barry----
johnson----Milner----Silva

Although both of those look good on paper, with question marks over how Silva and Toure will settle and Johnson still being more potential than anythign right now, wouldn't you expect more for the outlay they've made?

[TheSandman]

Don't know if this has been discussed yet, but Man City have signed Yaya Toure and are talking to David Silva, a centre mid and a winger.

Could this mean that Milner is staying, or at least not going to them?

I think that they are overhauling their midfield something like:

Johnson---Toure---Milner----Silva

OR:
------Toure-----Barry----
johnson----Milner----Silva

Although both of those look good on paper, with question marks over how Silva and Toure will settle and Johnson still being more potential than anythign right now, wouldn't you expect more for the outlay they've made?

Absolutely. They have overpaid massively for Toure and if they conclude the deal Milner. Those two players for £60million is absolute madness. Silva will definitely struggle initially due to being a bit lightweight. I'm just suggesting how their midfield might look next season.

[Moorski]

Silva will definitely struggle initially due to being a bit lightweight.
[/quote]

Don't worry Barry will make it up for him.

[pedro25]

Robinho should be in their plans also.

[murgsy]

NRC vs N. De Jong? Apart from pedigree is NDJ any better?

[Ben H]

From Sky Sports

Cameroon international midfielder Modeste M'Bami has hinted he could join Aston Villa this summer.

The 27-year-old, who had trials with Portsmouth, Bolton, Wolves and Wigan before linking up with Almeria, is again a free agent.

Reports in France have revealed Villa have joined the queue for his services and it is believed he will now meet with club officials.

While M'Bami has confirmed Martin O'Neill's side are an exciting team, he has refused to divulge where he will end up next season.

"I've been in contact with many clubs," he told skysports.com.

"Villa are a very good team but nothing's official. I'm not going to talk about anything."
Pre-season programme

Meanwhile, Villa's pre-season programme is shaping up after their participation was confirmed in the Portuguese Guadiana Cup alongside the likes of Benfica and Feyenoord.

Martin O'Neill's side will face Feyenoord on 31st July and then Benfica the following day at the San Antonio Stadium in the Eastern Algarve.

Last summer Villa prepared for the new season in style by winning the Peace Cup in Spain, defeating Juventus in the final.

[TaxDodger]

So.. Bolton, Pompey, Wolves and Wigan didn't want him? Or did he choose to go to Almeria instead? Because if it was the first...