Lucas Leiva (Napoli)

I think his passing is very underrated.

i think his defensive skills are very overrated.

I think his passing is very underrated.

Totally agree.

Had a great year playing in a rather negative Rafa system

Which season have you in mind mate?

Keep him.

Like Borini, unless we can replace them with an upgrade, they should stay.

Which season have you in mind mate?

If I'm honest most of them but that's just my opinion, used to hate us set up not to lose rather than to win but that's for a different thread.

If I'm honest most of them but that's just my opinion

Fair enough mate - I can see how he'd have a great season, playing as a defensive midfielder, in a team which used defensive midfielders, more than a team which doesn't.

As for the 'negative' bit... I sorta recall us scoring shitloads in both the league & Europe one season but that's probably not the one you had in mind.

Fair enough mate - I can see how he'd have a great season, playing as a defensive midfielder, in a team which used defensive midfielders, more than a team which doesn't.

As for the 'negative' bit... I sorta recall us scoring shitloads in both the league & Europe one season but that's probably not the one you had in mind.

I think he probably means 09/10, when Alonso left, Aquilani was always injured, and we ended uo using Masch/Lucas in midfield.
Tough call on Lucas.

He has always suffered playing alongside Stevie.He is a good DM given the chance to play solely in that position.

He has always suffered playing alongside Stevie.He is a good DM given the chance to play solely in that position.

The interesting thing is that neither one of Allen or Lucas seem to play as well with Stevie as they do without him.... I could actually see a midfield 2 of Allen and Lucas working well, and this would allow Coutinho/Lallana to play as the #10, but I also don't think Stevie has done anything to deserve being dropped..... Curious situation

The interesting thing is that neither one of Allen or Lucas seem to play as well with Stevie as they do without him.... I could actually see a midfield 2 of Allen and Lucas working well, and this would allow Coutinho/Lallana to play as the #10, but I also don't think Stevie has done anything to deserve being dropped..... Curious situation

I think even Alonso had his problems anyway I hope he does well he has been a model professional.

I think he probably means 09/10, when Alonso left, Aquilani was always injured, and we ended uo using Masch/Lucas in midfield.
Tough call on Lucas.

Yeah, well the salient point is on Lucas rather than which season we did or didn't score goals.

Mad4 is right - in a team which uses defensive midfielders and conceded few goals, Lucas shone.

We aren't playing like that (by any measure) so he's surplus to requirements and for as long as we continue to 'score for fun' sure it's all good.

Why do we find it so hard to sell a player outright? F***ing hate these loan deals with an option to buy, just sell him or keep him.

Why do we find it so hard to sell a player outright? F***ing hate these loan deals with an option to buy, just sell him or keep him.

we don't seem to be able to give them away at present

It helps if somebody wants to actually buy them, then it's not too tricky usually. Even more so if two teams want to buy them, then it's a piece of p!ss. Either that or when they do, the f*ckers don't want to go.

Lucas is clearly in the former category unfortunately.

It doesn't help when an Italian club comes in any significant interest.  It instantly makes the player worthless.

It helps if somebody wants to actually buy them, then it's not too tricky usually. Even more so if two teams want to buy them, then it's a piece of p!ss. Either that or when they do, the f*ckers don't want to go.

Lucas is clearly in the former category unfortunately.

Come on Mick you love him really.

I think before his injury there would have been many suitors for Lucas but after the season just gone where he has shown he maybe will never get back to  his previous level clubs may not be just aswilling to make a move for  him.

No one in for Lucas?

No one in for Lucas?

I guess he could be in our League Cup squad.

No one in for Lucas?

Anno it's bizarre.

No one in for Lucas?

Perhaps put off by the injuries he has had over the last couple of seasons.

Perhaps put off by the injuries he has had over the last couple of seasons.

or maybe he's not for sale?

or maybe he's not for sale?

Nah Rodgers sounds like we ar open to offers for him.

Nah Rodgers sounds like we ar open to offers for him.

Yeah it did sound like that when he was interviewed yesterday. I imagine the Napoli interest lessened when they failed to qualify for the Champions League. I wouldn't be in favour of him going unless we had brought in someone like Song to fill the void so am happy enough to see Lucas stay. Despite the fact everyone thinks he is the greatest thing since sliced bread based on a few friendlies it's just possible that Emre Can might need a bit of time to bed in so perhaps we will need our Brazilian this season.