Lucas

[Dundalis]

Rafa's comments speak louder than anything I could say, and if I recall correctly he said he would definitely be competing for a place with Sissoko, Alonso, Mascherano and Gerrard. However having watched him twice now I have to say he definately has all the tools and looks a really intelligent player, but my only concern is the pace of the games in Brazil. They are played almost at a canter, things look like they are going in slow motion compared to a Premiership game and Lucas plays accordingly. Definately has the talent to be competing in the first team right away, but adapting to a completely different pace and style will be interesting. With some it just happens, with others it can take a season. But he will definately adapt eventually and be a top player that much is clear.

[Thants]

Originally Posted by Dundalis Rafa's comments speak louder than anything I could say, and if I recall correctly he said he would definitely be competing for a place with Sissoko, Alonso, Mascherano and Gerrard. However having watched him twice now I have to say he definately has all the tools and looks a really intelligent player, but my only concern is the pace of the games in Brazil. They are played almost at a canter, things look like they are going in slow motion compared to a Premiership game and Lucas plays accordingly. Definately has the talent to be competing in the first team right away, but adapting to a completely different pace and style will be interesting. With some it just happens, with others it can take a season. But he will definately adapt eventually and be a top player that much is clear.

He also said 'Speedy' Gonzalez would be first teamer. Hes hardly going to say he's shit.

[Dundalis]

In fact I would say a good comparison is probably Fabregas, but quicker and with a better shot.

[Dundalis]

Originally Posted by Thants He also said 'Speedy' Gonzalez would be first teamer. Hes hardly going to say he's shit.

Gonzalez was a first teamer. Just not as good as he was supposed to be.

[Thants]

Originally Posted by Dundalis Gonzalez was a first teamer. Just not as good as he was supposed to be.

Exactly.

[Dundalis]

Originally Posted by Thants Exactly.

Is that supposed to have anything whatsoever to do with Lucas? Most people would have though Gonzalez would be a star in the Premiership if they saw him in Spain. In fact he will probably go back to Spain and be fantastic. There is no reason to say Lucas won't be a success just because of that. The point is also not whether he will be a success, but whether he will go straight into the first team, and it looks like he will.

[Thants]

Originally Posted by Dundalis Is that supposed to have anything whatsoever to do with Lucas? Most people would have though Gonzalez would be a star in the Premiership if they saw him in Spain. In fact he will probably go back to Spain and be fantastic. There is no reason to say Lucas won't be a success just because of that. The point is also not whether he will be a success, but whether he will go straight into the first team, and it looks like he will.

My point is no player from south america finds it easy to adapt. SOme make it after a while (Tevez), some dont at all, especially when they're young. The boss can big him up all he wants I've seen too many players come and go who just arent what they're billed to be for us to get too excited, i.e Gonzalez
I hope its the case of he's great in the premiership.

[rebel23]

Rafa would not spend £5m+ to put him in the reserve's do me a favour, the lad will play games for the 1st team and we'll all get to see/assess how well he has adapted/settled or how good he is

the truth is you never know how it will go, who was to say for example that £5m Agger who played for relative minnows in Denmark would be a success, in that regard the scouting and all the hard work paid off, lets hope the same for Lucas.

[Thants]

Originally Posted by rebel23 Rafa would not spend £5m+ to put him in the reserve's do me a favour, the lad will play games for the 1st team and we'll all get to see/assess how well he has adapted/settled or how good he is the truth is you never know how it will go, who was to say for example that £5m Agger who played for relative minnows in Denmark would be a success, in that regard the scouting and all the hard work paid off, lets hope the same for Lucas.

Pretty much what I said. We dont know how he will adapt. But we hope well.

[RSM]

Tim Vickery column

His view of Lucas.

Who is Lucas Leiva? What is his true position? And based on a previous article about South American youngsters leaving too early, eg. Gabriel Paletta, is Lucas ready to come to the Premiership just yet?

These moves are always a gamble, but I think this is a good one.

He's an exciting player of a type that Brazilian football hasn't produced too many of recently. Of late their central midfielders have tended to be 'holders' who sit and allow the full-backs to push forward.

Lucas is different. He's a big, blonde figure whose power and physical strength comes with attacking ability.

He can pass well and loves to rumble forward. He gets on the scoresheet both with blistering shots from range and from bursting beyond the strikers.

You can certainly imagine him playing alongside Javier Mascherano, for example.

I don't have the same fears for him as I did with Paletta. He's had two full seasons behind him - one helping Gremio win promotion from the second division, and then last year's success when he was chosen as the player of the championship.

In a perfect world you might want him to stay another year before moving on, but (a) Gremio need to sell to balance the books and (b) with Liverpool's strength in depth in central midfield it looks as if his first campaign will be a bedding in season.

[RedinSweden]

Originally Posted by RSM Tim Vickery column His view of Lucas. Who is Lucas Leiva? What is his true position? And based on a previous article about South American youngsters leaving too early, eg. Gabriel Paletta, is Lucas ready to come to the Premiership just yet? These moves are always a gamble, but I think this is a good one. He's an exciting player of a type that Brazilian football hasn't produced too many of recently. Of late their central midfielders have tended to be 'holders' who sit and allow the full-backs to push forward. Lucas is different. He's a big, blonde figure whose power and physical strength comes with attacking ability. He can pass well and loves to rumble forward. He gets on the scoresheet both with blistering shots from range and from bursting beyond the strikers. You can certainly imagine him playing alongside Javier Mascherano, for example. I don't have the same fears for him as I did with Paletta. He's had two full seasons behind him - one helping Gremio win promotion from the second division, and then last year's success when he was chosen as the player of the championship. In a perfect world you might want him to stay another year before moving on, but (a) Gremio need to sell to balance the books and (b) with Liverpool's strength in depth in central midfield it looks as if his first campaign will be a bedding in season.

That'll do me. He was bang on with palletta.

[redrosetints]

Originally Posted by TK421 It goes without saying that we need Lucas and Hammill on the pitch at the same time at some point.

Hmm, I see Jabba the Hut and Yoda are free this summer too, should we put a bid in ?

[RedinSweden]

Originally Posted by redrosetints Hmm, I see Jabba the Hut and Yoda are free this summer too, should we put a bid in ?

They aren't real people you fool.

[redrosetints]

Originally Posted by RedinSweden They aren't real people you fool.

Yeah right, feckin Swedish nutcase.

Check out Wikipedia, they are there and they are real .......

[Liam]

I am really looking forward to pre-season so I can see Lucas. He has got rave reviews every time I read about him.

The BBC's South American reporter Phil Vickery has also said he is very talented and thinks he will do well.

In a translated Brazilian forum their fans were saying his is similar in style of play to Gerrard, although I question that as Gerrard is bigger and much more of an athlete than Lucas...

I think Lucas signing for us is a really exciting transfer and I hope Nani and Anderson get all the media pressure and hype!

[Remington]

Originally Posted by RedinSweden Do you reckon he is expected to be cometing for a first team place imediately or is he one for the future?

“He's a ace player for the present and the future,” Benitez said.

“He can be a holding midfielder but he loves to go box to box. He scores goals and is a complete player. Lucas will be ready to join the first-team squad from next season!”

icliverpool.co.uk

[Dundalis]

Originally Posted by Remington “He's a ace player for the present and the future,” Benitez said. “He can be a holding midfielder but he loves to go box to box. He scores goals and is a complete player. Lucas will be ready to join the first-team squad from next season!”