Please let this be true..Requielme rumours.

[sheringmann]

Reports in Argentina suggest that former Villareal and former Argentinean international Juan Roman Riquelme is keen to test his wits for one last time in Europe, with rumours circulating that he has ambitions to ply his trade for the final time in the Premier League. Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been named as possible destinations, however a return to Spanish La Liga side Villareal is a reported option.

The 31-year-old midfielder had promised the former Boca Juniors President that he would retire at the club following his 2007 move to the Argentine giants, however the midfielder admitted that he could U-turn on the decision. Media reports in the player’s homeland have named Manchester City, Tottenham Hotpsur and the players former club as possible destinations. City boss Roberto Mancini could show interest in the talented playmaker while Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, previously linked with the player when he was Portsmouth manager could make an offer depending on price.

Riquelme, whose contract finishes in June responded to the Tottenham Hotpsur, Manchester City and Villareal speculation on the weekend. He replied to questions from journalists:

“I’m committed to Boca until June and after that we’ll see what happens.”

“Anything is possible. I gave my word to our last president that I would retire here but he has since moved on. We are nearing the end the season now so then I will make a decision.”

The talented playmaker who has played in Spain for Barcelona, as well as the Submarines retired from international football in 2007 following a disagreement with coach Diego Maradona. Riquelme has amassed 54 caps for his country as well as captaining the side to Olympic gold in 2008.

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/35867/Argentinean_playmaker_considering_transfer_u-turn.aspx

:beer: :clap::clap::clap::clap:

Would be a fantastic signing. Just what we need. A player with immense skill, experience and flair at CM.

Buuuuuut....probably :bs:.........

 

[Dougal]

Cool, we can team him up with Figo and Rivaldo.

 

[Cicada]

seriously no....

he was too lazy to hack it in Spain, how do you think he's going to fare in the Premier League?

 

[Kendall]

Maybe 5 years ago, but I don't think he has the pace and bottle to play in the Prem ahead of Modric/Kranjcar.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

See, this would be grand but i can't see him turning down whatever mammoth wage Citeh will offer him over our strict numbers - granted, it will likely be heavily performance based, which i like as incentives like decent goal & win bonuses mean a player will work harder to earn more, but this would be his last contract of any note, he's going to want a big cheque.

Undoubtedly an immense talent but i can see him being offered an insane amount at Citeh, so it'll depend mostly on that, though if we manage to snag that Champions League spot and they don't, who knows? :shrug:

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

He couldn't hack it in la liga. A midfield with Modric, Kranjcar, and Riquelme looks liek a great way to play away at bolton....... not.

 

[EastLondonYid]

do we really get excited about this sort of rumour?

not IMO the direction we should be going down.

harry wants to sign gudjohnsen on a permenant...so thats a no no!

 

[mil1lion]

He is a quality player, but not the right player for us. Villareal had to change their system to suit him. We don't have the right players to do that. I would rather see Modric take up that role if we were to play the system that suits Riquelme. He is best suited in a team with one striker, playing behind the striker. I think he would suit a Spanish team that play a 4-3-3 Barca system.

 

[sheringmann]

I seriously think he is one of the best players of his generation. Is he too old? Too lazy? Too lightfooted? Well..maybe..but im willing to take the risk...

Remember the impact Davids and Klinsmann had on our team. This could be kinda similar. What wouldnt our young croatians learn from this guy!!? Even Hudd could learn some passingskills or two

 

[michaelden]

3 years ago I'd have said yes, but now? No. I think it'll hinder Hudds progression and we should be looking to the future not the past.

 

[brasil_spur]

His head isn't right, i wouldn't want him. Davids added the right mental attitude to our team more than anything else. Riquelme was an amazing player, but he isn't anymore.

For the disruption it would cause our team i really wouldn't want us to sign him. There are more promising players out there right now.

What Harry has shown us is that we don't need to be spending all our money on big name players to succeed. Yes it's good to have some of them in the team, but ultimately you need players like Krankjaer, Crouch, Bassong, Dawson etc... to play alongside them.

 

[sunnydelight786]

An absolute genius with the bal, he really is. Toally dictates the pace of the game. He would be ideal in the CL if we qualify for it and in the PL against the teams who allow you to play football rather than rugby.

 

[defoe18]

Is it 2007 again???

 

[tRiKS]

if Argentina can build thier team around a 36 year old Veron then it's not impossible to think a 31year old Riquelme could be used at the highest level but we'd have to change shape a bit and would involve playing 1 orthodox striker so Defoe would be dropped for JR and then it';s a chocie between crouch, Pav and Keane. They can all control a football and make a pass but none of them are fast enough to be truley good enough as a loen striker at the highest level. think we'd weaken our over all team just to accomodate Riquelme

 

[tRiKS]

3 years ago I'd have said yes, but now? No. I think it'll hinder Hudds progression and we should be looking to the future not the past.

if sandro purchase is true then Huds role and progression is already hindered for next season.

 

[brasil_spur]

if sandro purchase is true then Huds role and progression is already hindered for next season.

I doubt it, i would see Sandro as a direct replacement for Jenas, but better than him obviously.

As it stands we have a squad of only 3 natural central midfielders. So even if we keep Jenas that's only 4 players to cover two positions.

I would imagine we'll rotate it between a midfield pairing of:

Hudd | Palacios

and

Hudd | Sandro

and

Sandro | Palacios

But really it doesn't affect Hudd much, as either Sandro is better than either him or Palacios and so takes one of the first team spots, in which case that's better for us, or he isn't and becomes backup to one or both of the players.

 

[danielneeds]

In order to get the best out him you have to build a team around him, and pretty much sacrifice your width in midfield. Next.

 

[RuislipSpur]

Seems like the sort of player that could easily unsettle the dressing room. No thank you.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

If Harry thought Pav was lazy then there is no way he would even consider Riquelme. You can't play in as a CM as he won't even track back and as we like playing 442 I don't see harry breaking up a front 2 partnership to accomodate him.

 

[THOWIG]

No thank you. He wouldn't fit into the Premiership at all.