Asier Illarramendi (to Real Sociedad)

[Japhet]

As has been said previously liverpool are totally stacked in that position. Milner wouldn't be coming from city to sit on liverpool's bench, henderson is the club captain etc etc.

The itk that the interest is mutual is very promising.

Try telling that to Danny Ings after they bought another 14 strikers in after him.

 

[luka loopy]

I don't know too much about Illarramendi, but doesn't he play in a similar position to Matic?

Matic is more of a destroyer. Illaramendi is more suited to the Fabregas role of the two CMs at Chelsea.

 

[Trix]

Matic is more of a destroyer. Illaramendi is more suited to the Fabregas role of the two CMs at Chelsea.

Point being they have Fabregas. Getting paid loads to be behind Fabregas or Matic is no different to staying where he is. We are the biggest club in the Prem where he'd be an almost guaranteed starter IMO. Although that says more about Wenger's delusions than anything else. If he wants the Prem and wants to play every week we must be the best option as things stand.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Point being they have Fabregas. Getting paid loads to be behind Fabregas or Matic is no different to staying where he is. We are the biggest club in the Prem where he'd be an almost guaranteed starter IMO. Although that says more about Wenger's delusions than anything else. If he wants the Prem and wants to play every week we must be the best option as things stand.

Agree. It'll come down to what he actually wants as a player. He can have a midfield shaped around him and continue to develop his potential with us or he can go to Chelsea or Arsenal and fill in when required. He's already had that experience at Real Madrid- if he didn't like it there despite the status that comes with being with one of the biggest clubs in the word then we might be a more attractive alternative for him.

 

[oskathegobshite]

Haven't seen him much I've got to be honest. Is he really the kind of midfielder who will drop back into a back three when the fullbacks bomb up as it has been suggested we need or do we aim to play him in the role Mason played on Saturday and Bentaleb the pervious week?

 

[Supersi32]

Haven't seen him much I've got to be honest. Is he really the kind of midfielder who will drop back into a back three when the fullbacks bomb up as it has been suggested we need or do we aim to play him in the role Mason played on Saturday and Bentaleb the pervious week?

Skillful defensive midfielder with a great passing range, could contol the tempo of our game from a deep lying position, pinging passes all over the park.

 

[JonnySpurs]

It's funny, I assumed he was nothing like Xabi Alonso but after watching the videos he certainly seems very similar. Not sure he's got as good long range passing ability but is maybe a little stronger in the tackle.

Liverpool fans clearly want it to happen because of that reason but as many have said, they're over stocked in midfield and attack and don't need him.

Fingers crossed we can make this happen. He looks like the kind of player that could really make our midfield tick.

 

[Jamturk]

Just the player we need ahead of Bender and Kramer.

 

[nedley]

This guy would be a dream signing.

 

[wrd]

Guillem Balague ‏@GuillemBalague 5m5 minutes ago
Real Madrid insists there are no offers for Illarramendi as yet

 

[not_tenth-again]

It all makes such sense.... only we could have it fall apart from here.

Fingers crossed.

p.s if Liverpool nab him, I'd be having a nice chat to Can's manager very sharpish.

 

[gazzeh]

When asked if someone should pass a video (of illara) onto Daniel -

The original JJetset ‏@jetsetyid 2h2 hours ago
@bunionboy2011 @mnw1979 @M4rtyG already looking at it

 

[y1dk1d]

It all makes such sense.... Only we could have it fall apart from here

Fingers crossed.

p.s if Liverpool nab him, I'd be having a nice chat to Can's manager very sharpish.

From where exactly? Maybe an enquiry? Pretty stupid comment

 

[y1dk1d]

not sure why you think poch will need dier as a cb. It may well be the case but he might give milos some minutes in the cup games.

Poch wants a streamlined squad with players able to play in more than one position. Thus player will get regular games and you wont have any frozen out.

Well I personally think that scenario would be taking the streamlined squad stage into having a lack of depth. Wimmer, Milos, Verts and Toby is an injury away from a possible disaster and having Dier as CM with little cover for that position too doesn't sound good. I very much doubt that's the case and I hope that I'm right for everybody's sake

 

[Danners9]

Guillem Balague ‏@GuillemBalague 5m5 minutes ago
Real Madrid insists there are no offers for Illarramendi as yet

As if anyone would tell ballbag the truth

 

[y1dk1d]

The idea of having an Alonso-esque player in our midfield is great. Obviously he's not at the same level but it's the type of player we need. Almost a deep-lying playmaker and more than capable in the challenge defensively. Would be a very good addition

 

[felmani26]

How did he play for Sociedad in terms of position ie in a CM2 in a 4231?

He's certainly got a footballing brain on him and sees the picture well under pressure ala Modric but I'm not sure I fancy him doing all those flicks in the Premier League just yet - rather he walked before he ran.

That being said, looks a very assured player and one who if he emulates anything like Alonso for Liverpool then could be a huge catalyst in our team for years to come.

 

[degoose]

How did he play for Sociedad in terms of position ie in a CM2 in a 4231?

He's certainly got a footballing brain on him and sees the picture well under pressure ala Modric but I'm not sure I fancy him doing all those flicks in the Premier League just yet - rather he walked before he ran.

That being said, looks a very assured player and one who if he emulates anything like Alonso for Liverpool then could be a huge catalyst in our team for years to come.

I watched a lot of sociedad before he joined Madrid and he was brilliant in the middle of the pitch, he controlled a lot of the tempo to the games and has some great technique on the ball and gets in with tackles when it's needed. He seems very wasted at madrid, i had hoped he was joining to progress but it seems madrid did the usual of buying a good prospect from competing teams and benching him.

 

[felmani26]

I watched a lot of sociedad before he joined Madrid and he was brilliant in the middle of the pitch, he controlled a lot of the tempo to the games and has some great technique on the ball and gets in with tackles when it's needed. He seems very wasted at madrid, i had hoped he was joining to progress but it seems madrid did the usual of buying a good prospect from competing teams and benching him.

Certainly sounds the true heir to Modric we've looked for but that being said, I do hope we look to adopt a 433 style to make full use of the passing capabilities and tempo controlling attributes that AI possesses.

 

[panoma]

Just don't hope this is another example of us aiming too high and failing, only to end up with another Campbell/stambo/Fazio and conveniently a very healthy bank balance.

I do like us to aim for the best, but we must have adequate backup targets if it falls through, as it sounds like Asier hold out to see what teams come in or him.

Just not another "we tried, but the deal proved to hard in the end", without solid backup options please