January Transfer Window - Rumours, Links, B*llsh*t and Made-Up Nonsense

[KevinGage]

Add to one of them, Guillaume Hoarau who I think is a younger more prolific Carew.

I've been impressed anytime I've seen him.

He does actually look like JC as well, similar build and frame.
Decent scoring record in France and probably far less fitness concerns.

I'd wonder how many French based players are receptive to working under GH though, whether his image has been tarnished irrevocably for selecting and backing Domenech- and the ensuing farce that followed last summer. Guilty by association, as it were.

The upside to that is there are at least two players who were in the circle of trust as far as Domenech was concerned - Toulalan and Gourcuff. The chances of landing the latter would be somewhere between slim and none. But Toulalan? Maybe. He'd certainly improve us in the middle of the park. Closer to a Gareth Barry-type player than an out-and-out DM.

[eamonn]

I see Trezeguet has started very well in Spain after moving from Juventus. Maybe there's a reason why he's ended-up Hercules though...

Still hoping that Flamini will get sick of not much game time at Milan and fancy coming back to England in January.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

From The Daily Mirror

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier must decide by January if he wants to write off £16m-worth of talent. That is when midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell and striker John Carew enter the final six months of their contracts and can talk to foreign clubs about moving on a free transfer in the summer.

[PaulTheVillan]

Defour?  From what I have read he might be that quarterback type player that Monty is referring to.

I'd imagine his time at Liege has probably served it's cause so I'd imagine he'll be looking for a move.  His injury might have put Fergie off (and others) so Villa could be the right club.

His injury will not put Fergie off. Look at RVN.

[*shellac*]

His injury will not put Fergie off. Look at RVN.

Or look at Bebe.

[Concrete John]

I agree but getting them in earlier is more beneficial. They do their settling in and feeling their way before the shooting starts.

Although I'd agree it's better, you sign a player looking for 3 or 4 years service from them, so I'm less concerned over those first few games where they're bedding in, if that's what's needed, than I am the remainder of those 3 or 4 years.  That's why I'd prefer them in early, but to me it's a minor concern when compared to the quality of the player.

[Concrete John]

From The Daily Mirror

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier must decide by January if he wants to write off £16m-worth of talent. That is when midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell and striker John Carew enter the final six months of their contracts and can talk to foreign clubs about moving on a free transfer in the summer.

I see this as good news. 

I think the money is there for transfers, but as we all know the wage bill needs to be within a certain overall ratio to turnover.  So those three clear over £100,000 a week that should then make room for new signings. 

I think Carew is naturally coming to the end of his Villa tenure, Sidwell simply won't be missed and NRC I rate, but with Delph, Bannan and Gardner coming through it's an area we can afford to lose a body in.

[Mazrim]

I'd still prefer we keep NRC. I think its time for Sidwell to move on and I dont know what to think about Carew. It depends how he responds now. He should be able to do anything Heskey can do and more but will he?

[Shrek]

We simply cannont afford to let NRC go, we are on our knees in modfield. With petrov probably being sold I'd rather keep Nigel simply for his experience.

[Concrete John]

In many way I'd like keep NRC also.  But we all know we need a new midfielder, who would be in the same mould as Petrov or NRC, or preferably a combination of the two.  Add him to Ireland and Delph and that's three, plus one of Petrov or NRC hanging around the squad as cover.  So 4 plus the emerging Bannan and Gardner doesn't leave a whole lot of room.  Hence I think one of them is off along with Sidwell, and with Petrov being club captain and NRC in the last year of his contract, I think it's obvious who is most likely to be leaving B6! 

[Mazrim]

We simply cannont afford to let NRC go, we are on our knees in modfield. With petrov probably being sold I'd rather keep Nigel simply for his experience.

So we buy Paul Weller then?

[Concrete John]

We simply cannont afford to let NRC go, we are on our knees in modfield. With petrov probably being sold I'd rather keep Nigel simply for his experience.

I don't get the 'Petrov probably being sold' part - where do you get that from?  There was the Liverpool story this summer, but who knows if there was anything in that? 

As I said, either him or NRC should and will be staying, and I just think it's more likely we'll see NRC leave.

[JUAN PABLO]

From The Daily Mirror

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier must decide by January if he wants to write off £16m-worth of talent. That is when midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell and striker John Carew enter the final six months of their contracts and can talk to foreign clubs about moving on a free transfer in the summer.

so what foreign team would buy Sidwell..   someone like Cambrian and Clydach.

[Mazrim]

In many way I'd like keep NRC also.  But we all know we need a new midfielder, who would be in the same mould as Petrov or NRC, or preferably a combination of the two.  Add him to Ireland and Delph and that's three, plus one of Petrov or NRC hanging around the squad as cover.  So 4 plus the emerging Bannan and Gardner doesn't leave a whole lot of room.  Hence I think one of them is off along with Sidwell, and with Petrov being club captain and NRC in the last year of his contract, I think it's obvious who is most likely to be leaving B6! 

Maybe, but NRC is 26 and has one of the best engines in the league and is something of a leader. Petrov is on his last legs, breathes through his arse after half time, gets dragged all over the place and leaves the defence exposed too often. Of the two only NRC is truly capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and neither are going to worry the attacking midfielders for their place. Therefore I would be looking at moving Petrov on with a warm thank you. He can still be effective abroad at a slower pace.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

From The Daily Mirror

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier must decide by January if he wants to write off £16m-worth of talent. That is when midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell and striker John Carew enter the final six months of their contracts and can talk to foreign clubs about moving on a free transfer in the summer.

I see this as good news. 

I think the money is there for transfers, but as we all know the wage bill needs to be within a certain overall ratio to turnover.  So those three clear over £100,000 a week that should then make room for new signings. 

I think Carew is naturally coming to the end of his Villa tenure, Sidwell simply won't be missed and NRC I rate, but with Delph, Bannan and Gardner coming through it's an area we can afford to lose a body in.

Yes, I think Carew's number will be up, Sidwell can go, but NRC i'd be keen to keep in the squad.

That said, nobody should be let go until adequate replacements are found.