Not a striker or a creative midfielder, but Jack Butland!
After the champions league season, rafa decided to ditch both of our first choice keepers in favour of a younger keeper....rodgers needs to do the same.
I will probably get shot down for this, but as much as reina is a top keeper, I cant help but feel he has lost that bit of drive that made him stand out from the others. Signing jack butland would either bring that back out in him or make him decide to seek pastures new. Either way i think we will benefit.
if reina gets the desire back we have a great keeper and a great back up.
If reina decides to leave, we still have a great keeper and £20m from selling reina.
Butland is a top top keeper and with city, man u, arsenal and chelsea (they have the belgian keeper after cech) all having young keepers, there is probably not going to be a great deal of competition for him.
Butland should be the next one walking into anfield
Next signing rodgers should make
posted on 4/8/12
I actually agree, Reina has been in decline past year or so, his confidence has took a huge hit, sell him to a top club for 10-15m bring in Butland and just put full trust in him.
this could be the only period of time where a goalkeeper will get that breathing space to develop. after the next season, FSG will want to see real results and progression so getting butland in now would be the right way to go in my opinion.
plus, it ties in with reducing the average age and lowering the wage bill that they are seemingly looking to do
posted on 4/8/12
I do think we have far far more pressing issues to address.
Reina is going to be perfect for the type of keeper we want to have at Anfield, the sweeper/keeper role.
Such a personality in the dressing room too.
Hes probably the last player on our books id want to sell.
posted on 4/8/12
Reina is on a completely different level to Butland. He might get a job cleaning his boots though
posted on 4/8/12
Would never sell Reina.
posted on 4/8/12
Reina is one of the best keepers about!
posted on 4/8/12
Butland has potential no doubt, but replacing Reina with him now is footballing suicide imo.
posted on 5/8/12
Yeah lets sell Suarez while we are at it and bring in Daniel Sturridge.
No thank you! Reina is still one of the best around and crucial to a strong spine to the team, along with Agger, Lucas, Gerrard and Suarez.
posted on 5/8/12
I would sign him as back up keeper, providing it was a reasonable price (which it probably wouldn't be).
Man City bought Joe Hart way back when for something like £500k based on L2 games for Shrewsbury.
That has turned out to be an absolute steal, but the problem with Butland is that he already has the mega reputation (despite his lack of football at a good level) so is more in Carson/Kirkland territory of costing a fair few million. I bet Birmingham wouldn't sell for less than £5m plus add ons.
If he becomes as good as Hart then it would still be worth it, but its a much bigger risk for that sort of money.
Butland is out of contract in 12 months, so if he doesn't sign another one then Birmingham will definitely sell him in January for a lower fee, more like £2m. Then it might be value, but in this summer window on the back of the Olympics it is likely to be a rip-off deal that is not worth it.
posted on 5/8/12
Honestly, I don't get the amount of doubt over Reina's hunger or ability. I mean, it's not as though he was awful last year, he was no worse than anyone else in the side.
Also, I know, he's only young, but there is an issue with Butland's distribution. He looks a very good keeper otherwise, but his kicking was poor throughout the Olympics.
Considering the way Brendan wants to play, a keeper who's weak with the ball at his feet is going to be a weak link.
posted on 5/8/12
I bet Birmingham wouldn't sell for less than £5m plus add ons.
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As long as they are optional.
