Adios Masher

[silverlining]

There's fevered specualtion about Xabi's future, but I think it is equally likely that Mascherano is also going to leave for either Barca or Madrid.

 

He had a ropey start to last season, but was excellent after Xmas, so what are we going to do if he does leave?

 

Option 1) Replace him with a new DM. Like who?

 

Option 2) Don't replace him directly and stick with two "sitting" midfielders, but neither one actually a "proper" DM. One is Xabi (hopefully), who is the other?

 

Option 3) Move Gerrard back into CM with Xabi.

 

Option 4) As Option 2, but Lucas is the other sitting midfielder.

 

Option 4 is clearly madness, but what would your course of action be if, as seems likely, Masher goes?

[JohnnyH]

Option 5. Don't start threads with "Adios Mascher" when he hasn't adiosed.

 

Negged for sensationalism.

[dirty_sanchez]

I think the system that we have works well. I can't really see the benefit to changing it, although I don't think that there is really a like for like equivalent for Mascherano in world football. If we're going to replace him, it would be good to get someone with more attacking intent. Realistically maybe Yaya Toure? Daniele Di Rossi would be a good replacement, but he's a card magnet and also probably not realistic.

[Unrighteous]

I think the system that we have works well. I can't really see the benefit to changing it, although I don't think that there is really a like for like equivalent for Mascherano in world football. If we're going to replace him, it would be good to get someone with more attacking intent. Realistically maybe Yaya Toure? Daniele Di Rossi would be a good replacement, but he's a card magnet and also probably not realistic.

 

Mascherano's biggest contribution is his never die attitude, and his energy. We'd need to find someone who can offer that, first, and then figure out the best of those options.

[The Golden Eel]

If Mascherano goes someone will have to be bought to replace him, that's not even debateable IMO. Who? Haven't got a clue, i don't know an awful lot about football outside the Prem. Inside it, there's no-one viable that comes to mind...

[ToxtethTerror]

I'd move Gerrard back into CM and buy a world class number 10 like Aguero.... as a long term solution... or ask for Yaha Toure and £20m.

[TheHitman]

I certainly wouldn't move Gerrard back to the centre unless we had several injuries that would be my last option. I get the feeling or maybe wishful thinking on my part, Rafa is gonna tell the chief to man the fuck up for another year and review it next summer.

[silverlining]

I think the system that we have works well. I can't really see the benefit to changing it, although I don't think that there is really a like for like equivalent for Mascherano in world football. If we're going to replace him, it would be good to get someone with more attacking intent. Realistically maybe Yaya Toure? Daniele Di Rossi would be a good replacement, but he's a card magnet and also probably not realistic.

 

So Option 2, with a slightly less-defensive replacement who can also pass and attack better than Masher.

 

That's what I'd do too, although who that player would be is the worry.

"No thanks" to Yaya Toure, though. Older and worse than Masher.

 

Obviously Option 2 only works if we keep Alonso, although the prospect of losing BOTH this summer is simply too awful to contemplate.

[Unrighteous]

The biggest issue with Mascherano going, is that he's the best on the planet at what he does, and he's very difficult to find someone similar.

 

If Xabi is sold, then we need to find someone who has sound positional sense, can tackle, and has a good range of passing. That's easier to find, IMO.

[silverlining]

If Mascherano goes someone will have to be bought to replace him, that's not even debateable IMO. Who? Haven't got a clue, i don't know an awful lot about football outside the Prem. Inside it, there's no-one viable that comes to mind...

 

In the Premiership the only other player is Essien, but Chelsea would never sell him to us, and we couldn't afford him anyway.

 

And possibly Barry, but he's a greedy cunt and has already gone.

 

Not much else of top quality about is there?

 

Which I suppose is one of the reasons we came second

[navbasi]

I'd move Gerrard back into CM and buy a world class number 10 like Aguero.... as a long term solution... or ask for Yaha Toure and £20m.

 

I would rather Yaya Toure.. :whistle:

[Scott_M]

He hasn't left yet has he?

[Rex Banner]

I'd take Yaya Toure as part of the deal I think he's class, I don't know why Barca would want to lose him though.

If we do sell him we better get fucking paid big time, I was thinking this might not be a bad time to cash in on a player with the ridiculous prices flying around at the moment.

 

I could handle losing Mascherano if we got enough to buy an adequate replacement and have plenty left over for someone else, I think he is replaceable and we could get someone better going forward although we will almost certainly lose some energy and pressure in the middle. I'd much rather lose Masch than Alonso.

[hamstrung]

I'd take Yahoo Toure

 

[Red House]

Older and worse than Masher.

 

You're never going to get anyone available better than Mascher, nevermind younger too. So, you may well say that for all the suggested names.

 

Btw, ridiculous thread title.

[Strontium]

Btw, ridiculous thread title.

 

 

Indeed - he missed the 'c' out of 'Mascher'. Inexcusable.

 

 

Soooo, back to possible replacements for the outgoing Mascherano...

[Bogman]

He hasn't left yet has he?

 

Not as far as I'm aware.

[Josef Svejk]

I'd take Yaya Toure as part of the deal I think he's class, I don't know why Barca would want to lose him though.

 

Why wouldn't they? They'd be replacing him with Mascherano and have Sergi Busquets as cover.

[Hyppia 4]

You're never going to get anyone available better than Mascher, nevermind younger too. So, you may well say that for all the suggested names.

 

Btw, ridiculous thread title.

 

I disagree. Mascherano is an extremely limited player who looks great in our system because of who plays in front and who plays behind.

 

At Barca they will be looking to play him in the Busquets role which he won't be able to play. Toure has been immense for them even when called upon to play CB such is his strength, timing and positional sense. The only attribute that Mascherano has over Toure is the ability to get back at someone who is 10 yards away from him and a lot of the time, it is his fault they are 10 yards ahead of him in the first place.

 

Mascherano has been the same player since he was 18. He should have improved much more than he has by now and to me he is the most overrated player in our squad.

 

As for him being the best in the world, he wasn't even the best in the league this year in my opinion, that accolade goes to Wilson Palacios.

 

All that said I still wouldn't sell him unless he wants to leave (though it seems the case) and until we had aa replacement of sufficient quality lined up. i.e Palacios (not likely), Melo (more likely), Toure (belive he wants to go to Arsenal).

[silverlining]

I disagree. Mascherano is an extremely limited player who looks great in our system because of who plays in front and who plays behind.

 

At Barca they will be looking to play him in the Busquets role which he won't be able to play. Toure has been immense for them even when called upon to play CB such is his strength, timing and positional sense. The only attribute that Mascherano has over Toure is the ability to get back at someone who is 10 yards away from him and a lot of the time, it is his fault they are 10 yards ahead of him in the first place.

 

Mascherano has been the same player since he was 18. He should have improved much more than he has by now and to me he is the most overrated player in our squad.

 

As for him being the best in the world, he wasn't even the best in the league this year in my opinion, that accolade goes to Wilson Palacios.

 

He won't be able to play "the Busquets" role?

 

I do have some sympathy for bits of your post (by definition, I suppose Masher is "limited", but then that could also be described as "specialised"), however by ignoring the fact that he is the captain of Argentina, is sought after by both Barca and Real, currently plays for Liverpool, and is valued at about £30m, denigrating Masher's ability like you have makes you seem a bit insane.

[JohnnyH]

I'd take Yahoo Toure

 

 

Are you serious?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll get me coat.

[JMARKH]

I'll be disgusted with him if he leaves, fair enough if we got a few good seasons out of him after paying 18 million and saving him from West Ham reserves then I would wish him the best of luck but we haven't. I expect him to stay as only a fanny would let his misses boss him into a move. She shouldn't be so selfish at the end of the day there are plenty more fish in the sea, especially with her being the other side of the continent, he has got free reign and a Liverpool career what more can he want!

Edited June 22, 2009 by JMARKH

[jackofdk]

Mascherano is probably the one player in the world that would improve Barca's overall play the most, I'd say.

 

His workrate and tenacity would allow them to win the ball back even quicker and provide solid protection for the defense and the marauding full backs. To say he can't play the Busquets/Toure role is nonsense, in my opinion.

 

I hope he stays here, by the way, as he is the best in the world at what he does.

[Hyppia 4]

Why wouldn't they? They'd be replacing him with Mascherano and have Sergi Busquets as cover.

 

Back to this issue, Mascherano is not a holding midfielder. He is a destroyer and a very good one. Barca selling Toure and replacing him with Mascherano would be suicidal for them.

 

As good a manager as Pep is, he didn't buy anyone in that team and this purchase doesn't hold up as good news for the future if they try and get Mascherano.

 

With Toure or Busquets they have a balance. Players who are quite happy to sit deep and cover the CB's or fullbacks, this is not nor has it ever been Mascherano's game.

 

Sure the majority of the time Barca will get away with employing Mascherano in a pressing role but against bigger teams with clever number 10's or direct teams that will force them back they will struggle.

 

You only have to look at the kind of sides Barca were beaten by in La Liga. Numancia and Osasuna for example. Both extremely direct. Both like to play long balls forcing the opposition back consistently with high balls instead of playing the more traditional footballing style that Barca are more comfortable with.

 

Barca swopping a tall midfielder with excellent positional strength for a significantly shorter one who does not play a holding role can't be good news for them in these kind of games.

 

If Mascherano moves to Barca, sooner or later, he will be found out.

[silverlining]

Back to this issue, Mascherano is not a holding midfielder. He is a destroyer and a very good one. Barca selling Toure and replacing him with Mascherano would be suicidal for them.

 

As good a manager as Pep is, he didn't buy anyone in that team and this purchase doesn't hold up as good news for the future if they try and get Mascherano.

 

With Toure or Busquets they have a balance. Players who are quite happy to sit deep and cover the CB's or fullbacks, this is not nor has it ever been Mascherano's game.

 

Sure the majority of the time Barca will get away with employing Mascherano in a pressing role but against bigger teams with clever number 10's or direct teams that will force them back they will struggle.

 

You only have to look at the kind of sides Barca were beaten by in La Liga. Numancia and Osasuna for example. Both extremely direct. Both like to play long balls forcing the opposition back consistently with high balls instead of playing the more traditional footballing style that Barca are more comfortable with.

 

Barca swopping a tall midfielder with excellent positional strength for a significantly shorter one who does not play a holding role can't be good news for them in these kind of games.

 

If Mascherano moves to Barca, sooner or later, he will be found out.

 

*points finger at temple and does twirly motion*