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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Why such a fuss for Heinze?

As the transfer saga between Liverpool and Manchester United has evolved the question that keeps popping into my head is why?

Rafa Benitez is certainly fighting to bring the 29 year old Argentine international over from Old Trafford to Anfield, but there is a much better option on the table, and I cannot understand why Giorgio Chiellini is being seen as second choice and not first.

Chiellini has the complete package: great defending, heading, composure, leadership (he was the Italian U-21 captain) and pedigree. He’s also only 23, 6 years younger than Heinze, and has many of the same attributes as the Argentine. Chiellini has also received 6 international caps, rare for an Italian defender of his age. He’s poised to become one of the best left backs in the world, just needs a club to give him regular football. On top of that, he’s come cheaper and will less, um, litigation.

Don’t get me wrong, Heinze is an excellent player, but at 29, he only has a couple of good years left in him. Chiellini is a better option for Liverpool’s long term ambitions.

Unfortunately, Manchester City has made an offer which has surpassed Liverpool’s and Juventus are considering it, especially after the player expressed his frustration last week. I don’t know how likely Chiellini would be to accept a move to City, but in any event, it appears Liverpool have lost the initial opening that would have signed the player for less.

I can’t quite put my finger on the rationale behind Liverpool’s hesitation to sign Giorgio Chiellini. With Manchester United blocking a move to their arch rivals and even considering reporting illegal contact with the player, it doesn’t look like litigation will help. I’d forget it and go for the Italian. Check out this video, and you can see his quality and why he’d do so well in the Premiership.

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15 Comments:

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree whole heartedly! Have had the same thoughts the moment that I heard that we put in a bid. I believe he would rather play for Liverpool than City should our bid still be alive. Highest bid doesn't always win when a player has a choice. I am sure if he really wanted to come to Liverpool that a way would be made!

7/24/2007 3:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Man U are filing a complaint today for an illegal approach

7/24/2007 3:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heinze is slow, slow, slow

Our back 4 is already lacking big time for pace and we dont need another senior citizen to slow it down even further

Although heinze is an excellent passer, we already have plenty of those....

7/24/2007 4:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Author is showing a lack appreciation. Back up for Agger and Carragher is currently Hyppia - a player who'd be slaughtered by any forward with a little pace, and therefore he's a liability.

Paletta is a no go.

The search is not for a left back per se, but cover for our centre backs. We pay £7 Million for Heinze - a world class full back/centre back with plenty experience and 29 years old, and we get rid of Hyppia who is also experienced but 34 for £3-4 million effectively gaining a better option at centre back than Hyppia can now offer as well as a left back who can actually defend as opposed to Riise and Aurelio who are attacking full backs.

If we get him, expect Heinze to feature in many away games against medium-to-big teams, but not to feature in many home games where the opposition normally plays deep.

The Italian would be a great buy, but only if we got rid of either Riise or Aurelio, the latter of which being very unlikely given his injury status. Plus we'd still be stuck with Hyppia who Rafa does not appear to trust as back up.

Brand-0

7/24/2007 4:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brand-o has a good point, hyypia = pelligrino --- but why cant cheilline play at center?

He's over 6' and tough as nails. You see how well he heads the ball?

I see no reason this kid cant play center half

problem solved

7/24/2007 4:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Chiellini leaves Juventus or even Italy, I'll be shocked. I just don't see why he would, it's his home and Italian players rarely ever leave there.

The Heinze affair is such crap. I'm a big 'In Rafa We Trust' advocate, but I might have to think twice after this, whether we get him or not.

Heinze is not going to start over Riise and after seeing Threlfall today, it appears we have plenty of cover on the left with him, Arbeloa, and Aurelio coming back in October.

LFC did nothing illegal, so Man Boo Hoo have no legal stand. They did not contact the player directly. In fact, from what I understand, it had more to do with Masche and Heinze having talks at Copa.

7/24/2007 4:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

radical, but why not try sissoko at center half?? Might be brilliant, never know

7/24/2007 4:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As for CB, you obviously didn't see Hyypia towards the end of the last season. He, without a doubt, picked up his game and returned to old form. He's also looked good so far this preseason.

The jury is still out on Paletta. he definitely has the ability, but makes some crucial mistakes at very bad times.

Arbeloa is actually a CB by design as well, but he would have to be much more disciplined if we were to use him there.

7/24/2007 4:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't think Liverpool should be pursuing Heinze - he is coming back from injury and had a relatively poor season last year. Cheilline sounds like a an excellent prospect but if in the market for a left back I think Liverpool should really be pursuing Leighton Baines from Wigan who is also young and an outstanding left-back with proven Premier League credentials - he is a boyhood Liverpool fan, comes from the area and would cost less than either Heinze or Cheilline.

7/24/2007 4:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so heinze comes to anfield to be a backup center half?

how incredibly stupid from all sides

7/24/2007 4:30 PM  
Blogger Saffa said...

I think Rafa needs a short term solution and Heinze fits the bill. With Ensua rising through the ranks in a year or so, Heinze should provide sufficient support at the back. Ensua had a big under 20 world cup and I think this may have cemented him into Rafa's plans. Heinze will mould this kid. Heinze will fight with Riise for the left back position this year, we should also see Riise play on the left mid.

7/24/2007 8:46 PM  
Blogger Rio said...

Arbeloa is not necessarily physical enough for EPL. Aurelio is not completely out from injury yet. Hyypia and Paletta aren't reliable enough and Insua is still young.

If liverpool really wants to compete in CL and EPL, they can't rely on those backup players. Arbeloa and Hyypia can rest starters but if one of their starting CB gets injured they'll be in serious troubles.

getting Heinze would bring in the needed security to liverpool CB. On top of that, he could also offer the option of a more defensive oriented LB since Riise is more or less a wing type.

the problem is, with Heinze's Copa performance, AF doesn't want to cut him either. Especially since he already let go the deadline to buy off his own contract. For ManU, Evra is the problem, not heinze. With pique going back, they'll now have a more dedicated CB and Heinze can therefore be more focused at LB which is his natural position.

7/27/2007 12:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who in their right mind would want to move to anfailed? i mean come on, Scousers theirs nothing worse; your just scum wanabees with a bunch of shit fans... City on the other hand, have it all, and lets face it, out fans are diehard, we support out club through thick and thin, day in, day out...

7/27/2007 8:29 PM  
Blogger Rio said...

lol, city has all the thug fans for sure.

7/27/2007 9:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Perhaps the citeh fan might wanna learn some primary school grammar before posting again.

lol@"city have it all"

7/29/2007 9:36 AM  

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