Carlos Cueller - transferred to the Villa revolution

[Clydey]

I live in Scotland, and as all that is shown are Rangers or Celtic ( a pub will even change channel mid spurs game, to put on either of their games), as a result I have seen Cuellar play a lot this season. He's a good player, very tough tackling, but he lacks the pace or awareness to make it at the level we wish to be at in the premiership. I was at the Ranger - Lyon CL game (due to some fancy courtesy tickets) and Benzema tore him apart, and it is that kind of player, rather than the likes of Scott McDonald, that he will have to face in the premiership.

Benzema did not tear him apart. I believe he made one mistake in that match, which led to the second goal. Either way, it's one game. You can't just mention one defeat and blame Cuellar for it. Hutton played in that game too, as it happens.

Here's another game for you. Lyon 0-3 Rangers. Like I said, one game is hardly proof of anything. I could mention better sides than Rangers who have lost 3-0 to teams like Lyon.

He's proven himself plenty of times. Rangers' defensive record has been tremendous. Osasuna, essentially a side in a perpetual battle against relegation, made the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup last year. Cuellar was a key player in that run. I'm not sure what makes you think he lacks pace and awareness. He is nothing if not constantly aware, and he does have plenty of pace. It seems to be a common misconception in here that Cuellar is slow.

 

[Clydey]

I saw Cuellar when he was in Spain. You bought him for £2.3 million with very little competition from Spanish clubs.

I've seen him for Rangers. He looks better than the 37-year-old David Weir protected by a very defensive, pack-the-midfield formation. That doesn't prove all that much, although I see that Rangers fans do rate him very highly.

Ricardo Rocha was a current Portuguese international renowned for his reading of the game when we signed him. Our coaches now don't seem to consider him good enough for the EPL.

I may be wrong. Cuellar may prove to be a top class international CB, although I don't believe he's played for Spain yet. But, with respect, I think until he plays regularly in a very fast league such as the EPL, without the protection of a very defensive midfield in front of him, we won't know quite how good he is, or isn't.

That's what the CL is for. And Rangers, with a squad in transition, were a hair from making it through to the last 16. he proved himself in the CL and the UEFA CUP not only this year, but last year too. That a player cost 2.3 million is irrelevant. Not every top player is worth 10s of millions. Also, you tend to get undiscovered gems in the game. That's what makes football great, among other things.

By the way, I'm not a Rangers fan. I just know a top player when I see one. That is why, as a Celtic fan, I don't rate McGeady, but think Cuellar is fantastic.

 

[yanno]

That's what the CL is for. And Rangers, with a squad in transition, were a hair from making it through to the last 16. he proved himself in the CL and the UEFA CUP not only this year, but last year too. That a player cost 2.3 million is irrelevant. Not every top player is worth 10s of millions. Also, you tend to get undiscovered gems in the game. That's what makes football great, among other things.

By the way, I'm not a Rangers fan. I just know a top player when I see one. That is why, as a Celtic fan, I don't rate McGeady, but think Cuellar is fantastic.

I sincerely apologize for mistaking your affiliation!

If we sign Cuellar for £10 million, I hope he turns out to be the player you say he is. However, now I know you're not a Rangers fan, I can bring up one of the last "sure things" to come down south: Barry Ferguson.

I seem to remember Souness saying Ferguson was world class when he persuaded Rangers to part with their star player...

 

[remember91]

By the way, I'm not a Rangers fan. I just know a top player when I see one. That is why, as a Celtic fan, I don't rate McGeady, but think Cuellar is fantastic.[/quote]


:roll: Hmm, very strange, I've never seen an old firm fan go so far out of their way to defend a rivals player, in fact pretty much the oppposite. And Aiden McGeady has had an excellant season, first season IMO he has actually managed to put his talent to some actual use. (usually he's full of fancy tricks against lesser teams and bottles it in big games). Most Celtic fans I know absolutely adore him, your the first Celtic fan I've ever heard not rate his peformances this season. Well, at least we can agree that Barry Ferguson is overated up here in Scotland.

 

[Clydey]

By the way, I'm not a Rangers fan. I just know a top player when I see one. That is why, as a Celtic fan, I don't rate McGeady, but think Cuellar is fantastic.

:roll: Hmm, very strange, I've never seen an old firm fan go so far out of their way to defend a rivals player, in fact pretty much the oppposite. And Aiden McGeady has had an excellant season, first season IMO he has actually managed to put his talent to some actual use. (usually he's full of fancy tricks against lesser teams and bottles it in big games). Most Celtic fans I know absolutely adore him, your the first Celtic fan I've ever heard not rate his peformances this season. Well, at least we can agree that Barry Ferguson is overated up here in Scotland.[/quote]

The reason I can be objective is because I'm a Scotland fan first and foremost. I support all the Scottish teams in Europe. I cheer as loud for Rangers as I do for Celtic when they play in Europe.

I also don't think Ferguson is overrated. I think he's had a poor season, which makes Rangers' exploits all the more impressive. You have to realise that Ferguson has been carrying injuries for most of his career. He receives injections before every game. Whenever he has been injury-free, he has been in excellent form.

Edit: As for McGeady, I think he flatters to deceive. He is fantastic in the SPL. I don't base my opinions on what happens in the SPL, though. I wait to see how they do in Europe, and McGeady has been awful against the better teams.

 

[Clydey]

I sincerely apologize for mistaking your affiliation!

If we sign Cuellar for £10 million, I hope he turns out to be the player you say he is. However, now I know you're not a Rangers fan, I can bring up one of the last "sure things" to come down south: Barry Ferguson.

I seem to remember Souness saying Ferguson was world class when he persuaded Rangers to part with their star player...

Ferguson wasn't a failure in England. Another common misconception. In fact, Hughes states that he planned to build the team around him. Ferguson was Blackburn's captain. You don't give the captaincy to a player who has been a failure.

He requested a transfer because he was homesick. That seems to happen to Scottish players more than most, it seems. In fact, just last year Shaun Maloney seemed like he was on his way back to Celtic because he couldn't adjust to life in Birmingham.

I rate Ferguson highly. It's just unfortunate he has went through two periods in his career when he has been receiving injections before every game. And that has coincided with periods where his form dipped. The two are definitely related.

 

[Kevealis]

Anyone see Cuellar in the UEFA Cup Final? Thoughts?

 

[michaelden]

I did and he was their best defender.

I'd prefer him to Dunne to be honest

 

[ScotBear]

Nooooooooooo !!

What's the source for this story out of interest ? :shrug:

Anyway........Cuellar is quality. Different position, but better than Hutton, more important to our side.

He's been absolutely immense all season. Whether that's in Old Firm games or playing against the likes of Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, Panathanaikos, Sporting Lisbon, Fiortentina, Zenit.......

Rock solid at the back. He can step forward and dominate in the air, or take a step back and cover across the line for others. Cool and composed in possession, and has enough pace to get back when the ball is played in behind. His timing in the tackle is perfect and his reading of the game exceptional.

He's just a quality player. Definitely top 4 standard. We've played an unbelievable amount of games this year, and he's not missed one through injury or fatigue.

Hutton was a sore blow, because he's a style of defender that's hard to find. McGregor I could live with. But if you sign Cuellar, you'll be ripping out the heart of the side and buying our best and most important player.

 

[Kendall]

he was excellent

 

[Kevealis]

Cuellar (again)

Hearing rumours up here that Cuellar is going to Spurs for the unsettled Hutton plus £2mil. Dont know how much truth to take from it, but its not totally unrealistic...

 

[pagevee]

should I laugh now or later?...?

 

[KentuckyYid]

Unsettled?

 

[engcanspur]

Well I figured that he would be linked with us after Rangers getting kicked out of Europe...but never did I expect it to be an exchange for Hutton, what a load of shit.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

Hearing rumours up here that Cuellar is going to Spurs for the unsettled Hutton plus £2mil. Dont know how much truth to take from it, but its not totally unrealistic...

I actually laughed out load.

 

[Dwallace]

What a load of crap although Cuellar is a decent defender.

 

[guy]

oh what?!?!?! hutton loves it at spurs he said so in his hotspur interview. never again will he play in the secondrate SPL

We should put in a cheeky 5mill pound bid for cuellar! Ive never nothing but good things about him, and im sure we could turn his head with the premier league, ramos and london

 

[KeaneIsKeane]

I read Cuellar was hurt.

 

[guy]

hurt by bombing out of europe to a latvian powerhouse of a club?

 

[Phate]

Another Boumsong i reckon