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Originally Posted by AJ  Dreadful signing all round I think. He wouldn't fit into the Chelsea way of playing, he'd do well at Arsenal though.
He's 28 in a couple of months, looking for a last big pay day I guess. He seems to have peaked a few years ago, I don't think he's the kind of player that'll still be in the game at 36.
If I was the Barca chairman, I'd punt him for anything over 15m. |
I am not being funny, but I can oppose everything you say....
First, I rather see this as a bad move for Ronaldinho, if what you are saying is right and he has only got a couple of good years in front of him left, then a transfer to London will finish him earlier...
Anything over 15m? Mind me asking how much is that - 16, 20, 30 or more? Laporta is the best businessman in the history of Spanish football. The guy managed to go around a 100-year old tradition without a single complaint from the fans - no advertising on Barca tops! For just half a season a well-known bookie recently offered Barca 16m. True , it is the UNESCO logo, but I am sure the club capitalised on this far more than just a nice PR....Even a 50m for Ronaldinho will pay off nicely and quick, whoever buys him simply has to plan an Asian/American summer tour. Point is to buy him within the next 6 months. Need I remind you some names of football-goners who made a fortune with/for their current clubs? Ronaldinho is still worth a lot when merchandise is involved....The Big 4 in Italy know it, Real know it, others do as well....
Last but not least is what's left in Ronaldinho as a footballer. People seem to underestimate the fact that Barca play changed a lot in the last 12-18 months, IMO as of wrong management and transfers. Watching a Barca game now is like watching the first half of England vs Croatia, with everyone in the middle- Barry, Lampard and Gerrard. In some games you see Ronaldinho, Messi, Deco, Xabi/Iniesta and Henry together. Does it ring a bell? Which one of these is a 100% forward? Eto'o is, shame he is injured so often, but when he plays, Ronaldinho feels better as he is best at creating/providing or when a top-class forward takes some the heat from him, i.e number of defenders covering him. IMO at the moment he is either in the wrong place or with the wrong manager, or both. Writting off Ronaldinho at the age of 27-28!?!? Some did the same with Juninho recently, then this ''spoilt-football goner'' gave us 3 top games to make sure Rangers do not go through the CL. Just for the argument, Juninho is older than Ronaldinho...
If I was Barca chairman I would keep him, change the manager and buy another decent forward with skills. Berbatov would do, certainly worth more than Bent and Anelka together....Clearly Berbatov's name coming up here on purpose, I can see you do not rate him very high but I read Ramos sent a bid-warning today to everyone, worth checking that one out, some good points there. As of Anelka, you somehow seem to forget his age, and strange enough - the fact that in my memory Anelka in all his career had one and only one good season, in Arsenal. A disaster in Real, a travesty in PSG, and a couple of good seasons in a mediocre EPL club Bolton. A move to Chelsea? In January? I wish him luck, surely could contribute more than Sheva, but unless Drogba follows Mourinho wherever, Anelka is doomed to rub the bench, and rub it nicely and often...
Regards