Javier Mascherano And Leon Goretzka

I'd have both and keep emre would finally have a toppish midfield (masch to take cb til we get the trash out)

Goretzka and Can are hardly like for like though?

Former being closer to the Barkley ilk than a Can type player.

Mascherano was a great player for us. Loved him as the midfield destroyer.

However, he's not played in midfield regularly for 7 years now (internationals aside maybe?) and we'd be asking him to step back into the fastest league in the world at the age of 33/34 (depending when he signed).

It feels like too much of an ask to me.

comment by (Kash) I'm the Mané, I'm the Mané - Justice4Gaza (U1108)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
At 34 he would struggle to readjust back into midfield and in a new league which has changed from when he was here last.
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I don't think he would. He was a beast first time round, imo only age could prevent him being one again. He's continued playing DM for Argentina and could benefit hugely from the added perspective of playing a significant time at CB.

That said, I'm more inclined to think he might choose a slightly more laid back path to retirement. Word in Barcelona is he's off to the States.

comment by Can Solo (U6997)
posted 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
Mascherano was a great player for us. Loved him as the midfield destroyer.

However, he's not played in midfield regularly for 7 years now (internationals aside maybe?) and we'd be asking him to step back into the fastest league in the world at the age of 33/34 (depending when he signed).

It feels like too much of an ask to me.

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Yeah milner a much better player, always has been

great press send to early, id much rather masch over milner, much better on the ball and reads the game far better, milner runs loads though

comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 43 minutes ago
great press send to early, id much rather masch over milner, much better on the ball and reads the game far better, milner runs loads though
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I'd like to think that are options are a little more diverse than a 34 year old Masc and a 32 year old Milner. We can and should look at other options.

I'd love to be wrong about Masc and for him to recapture his old intensity and command of CM but his tackling was always committed and if he's lost his pace then there's every chance he could just end up giving foul after foul away.

For context, Vieira joined Man City at the same age and he was a shadow of the rampaging Arsenal player. People have referenced Makelele but he joined Chelsea at 30 and was actually playing less by the last year in the EPL.

Just think Masc's time may have passed.

TBH anything we can go do for a free is good business.

Masch would be as much for attitude and mentality as for playing ability at this point. I agree on the risk that he would just be bypassed especially with the space out team leaves to cover.

TBH masch return would be like the return of Robbie fowler. I mean in the sense that he wont be the same standard of player he was and there maybe a level of fan disappointment that he isn't what we remember.
I do feel his experience and leadership and will to win would be invaluable. I think he could be good in cm but in our revamped 4231 formation of the last couple ofgames. he would need can or hendo alongside him to offer mobility and energy.

as for goretzka, read a lot of good things but not seen him. worth going for if free.
some other potential players available soon for free. interesting some of these
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/9-players-liverpool-could-sign-11485497

The free transfer is the way of the future.

There is so much money out there that agents and players would need huge offers to re-sign with a club.

I think a lot of agents will be pushing players to run down contracts now. Even do it rather than move for a big fee with 2 or 3 years left cos the oiler pay day is there for the taking.