For me (and many others I reckon) it's a case of 'gimme gimme!' so that we can focus on the next couple of big signings, especially the Suarez replacement.
Unless he is the Suarez replacement?
I don't think we will have a replacement anyway. We'll sign three or four attacking players. We have already signed two, and he may be the third. I would expect just one more really.
Let's put 2 and 2 together and make 5 here for a sec.
*Puts on Sherlock Holmes hat*
Belgrade president originally said he didn't know who signed Lazar. He presumed Chelsea signed him and then loaned him to Benfica for two years. Benfica claim they own Lazar and he is their player. Is third party ownership not outlawed here in England? All these odd reports of 50% of Lazar being held by a third party sound fishy. I bet Chelsea are the backers behind that 50% and are now washing their hands of it to keep their noses clean. They will allow Benfica sell him and recoup that 50% via the 'third party'.
EAT MY POWERS OF DEDUCTION.
They already have Oscar, Hazard, Schurrle, Willian, Salah and just signed Fabregas who can all play that attacking midfield role, Markovic strikes me more as someone who has the quality to be top notch but isn't quite there yet - I think it's more a matter here of us benefitting from the fact that they can't sign everyone.Strange that Chelsea didn't follow up there interest then, given I'm sure Matic would have said as much to Mourinho?
I sure hope not. Ideally it's him and someone closer to Suarez's level (Reus, Sanchez, Griezmann?).
Yeah, hopefully, I just don't see it happening. If we buy a couple of people at the Markovic level, then I don't think we can complain. It's impossible to actually replace Suarez, so we need to spread the money on a few players and hope that their combined effort will add as much as he did, if not more.
We wouldn't have signed him if there were attitude issues to worry about. BR and the team have a specific criteria (apart from natural talent, skill & potential) for players they want at Liverpool and scout them extensively. I wouldn't worry about that. Plus the lad is stepping up to an iconic club and its a great opportunity for him to progress and fulfil his potential. Liverpool will provide everything he needs to excel at every level.Nemanja Matic told Tom Kundert of the Daily Mirror:
"What can I say about Markovic? He has such massive potential that if he changed his attitude in training, he could be one of Europe's best players in his position. But he's young, he'll mature, and then nobody will be able to stop him!"
From the Echo - Markovic having Medical today, Origi visited Melwood with his family yesterday. Suarez deal of £75m to be wrapped up by the end of the week, Liverpool have no interest in Balotelli.
Hope he visited the museum and especially the Trophy Room - do Spurs have one of those ?
Hope he visited the museum and especially the Trophy Room - do Spurs have one of those ?
Hope he visited the museum and especially the Trophy Room - do Spurs have one of those ?
We wouldn't have signed him if there were attitude issues to worry about. BR and the team have a specific criteria (apart from natural talent, skill & potential) for players they want at Liverpool and scout them extensively. I wouldn't worry about that. Plus the lad is stepping up to an iconic club and its a great opportunity for him to progress and fulfil his potential. Liverpool will provide everything he needs to excel at every level.
Controversial opinion, am I the only one who thinks Lambert is better than Bony?
I'm not so sure, he just seems like a poor mans Lukaku to me. Score goals, true, but there doesn't seem to be too much to his game.Depends in what way. I'd say Lambert is the more skilful, but with the right service Bony might well end up getting you more goals.
I wouldn't be so sure about that first bit. Another criterion FSG have is to look for good players with problems and then solve those problems. If Markovic has a tendency to be lazy but combines it with the kind of ability Matic was referring to, he might come under that heading.
I'm not so sure about your quoted criterion about players having problems then solving them. Where did you get that from and who are these players?I wouldn't be so sure about that first bit. Another criterion FSG have is to look for good players with problems and then solve those problems. If Markovic has a tendency to be lazy but combines it with the kind of ability Matic was referring to, he might come under that heading.
I'm not so sure, he just seems like a poor mans Lukaku to me. Score goals, true, but there doesn't seem to be too much to his game.
I'm already liking the lad alot after reading this:
"O Jogo say that Chelsea had the option to sign Markovic for €15m, rather than Liverpool's €25m, but turned them down because he preferred a move to Anfield. They claim that Chelsea have made an attempt to exercise their option but Markovic rejected it because he didn't feel that Jose Mourinho would use him enough.
Markovic has himself confirmed about previously being invited to Chelsea for a tour and to have dinner with several of the first team squad. The London club were expected to sign him next summer but Liverpool's move forced the issue and Markovic had to make a decision."