Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)

Liverpool boss Benitez lines up £12m bid for Middlesbrough winger Downing.

Stewart Downing has emerged as the preferred choice to solve Rafa Benitez’s need for more width and will be the subject of a £12m bid by Liverpool at the end of the season.

The above is taken from The Daily Mail Online and can be found here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1180664/Liverpool-boss-Benitez-lines-12m-bid-Middlesbrough-winger-Downing.html

Thoughts? I always rated Downing personally, he's naturally left footed and has been influential for Boro for the last few seasons.
12million though?

The question here would be, him or Riera?

To be honest i would favour Downing.

He's played in the Prem all his life and is used to the physicality of the English game whereas Riera didn't exactly make a big impact the 1st time around with Man City and seems to be struggling to adapt this time too.

Riera undoubtedly has skill in abundance but i think he struggles with the pace and rough stuff in the English game.

I agree, Downing has been raised on the game - but so too has Keane.

Its hit and miss with this one,

Any other thoughts lads?

He's a quality performer in a pish poor outfit and could really shine in our team. I would have him over Riera every time but that may be just me. 

IMO i see him as a great player at an average club and then an average player at a great club. I don't think he's liverpool quality. I'm prepared to be shown wrong but I think there are better options.

sh*te, sh*te and sh*te.

In my honest opinion, he makes Albert look like John Barnes! Watched him last night too lightweight, knocked off the ball too easily. You'd never have thought he was the captain of his hometown team that are battling against relegation. Completely anonymous!

The new Stuart Ripley.

id rather riera than downing to be honest especially at 12 mill

Sh*te, sh*te and sh*te.

In my honest opinion, he makes Albert look like John Barnes! Watched him last night too lightweight, knocked off the ball too easily. You'd never have thought he was the captain of his hometown team that are battling against relegation. Completely anonymous!

The new Stuart Ripley.

I disagree mate i thought the lad did the best he could in an absolute shambles of a side with a dead loss manager, at one point he was playing passes with the outside of his left foot because they had him filling in on the right wing! then when he did get moved onto the left he had to drop deeper again because Southgate brought Johnson (think that's the lads name) on to bomb down the wing.
Whilst i would agree that £12m is a bit steep given his current form and Boro's dilemma i would be interested to see if the early promise he showed would return if he played for a big club and in his actual position, i just dont want silly money chucked about to find out.

No I would never offer 12mill on him. In my eyes Riera on his day has proven that he is cut for LFC particularly evident in the months from October to December. But in saying that I think Albert is a confidence player who needs a fequent kick up the ass.

Downing is a decent player but yet again his price has been inflated because he is English.

Will he help us win the league? would United/Chelsea/Arsenal sign him? Nahhhhhh!!! Next Jermaine Pennant, but on the left. spurs maybe, Liverpool, no chance!!

If Boro are goin down and he wants to move... And Rafa wants him.

Borough WILL take alot less than 12mill out of desperation.

Uhm no thank you .. probably the next Keane  great with his prem team , proven player in the prem can handle the physicality ect .ect. but he is not quality we need tricky left winger who is not all about being a show pony we should buy David Silva he is pure quality he can add depth to the squad buying him is like buying 4 diff players he's very versatile , quick, intelligent , skillful , pacey and generous with the ball ( unlike Riera ) and is not a show pony and links will link up with Nando well and provide quality passes and crosses  so and o would be able to hit 25 easily every season . Downing can't provide all of this  he doesn't add that touch of class and to set us above the rest and won't be able to unlock tight defenses . So I would say if we are going to spend 20-30mil on one player I'd say David Silva he's worth it !

yeah. Riera is good, Downing is better, but Silva is the best. i would go for Silva rather than Downing, Tevez, or any other left winger you name.

Having watched a few boro games this season, i don't think Stewart Downing is good enough for us.
Whether Boro go down or not i hope we don't sign him

If Stewart Downing is the one to turn us into champions then I'm obviously missing something. Over rated is an understatement

If Stewart Downing is the one to turn us into champions then I'm obviously missing something.

 

£12m definitely having a laugh.  I have seen enough of him to think he would be a welcomed addition on the bench which definitely doesn't value him at that sort of price.  I wouldn't be against a transfer of between 6-8m, could be a step up from Riera!

I would never pay £12m for him. He is the Captain of Boro and yet he has the fighting spirit of a slug. He has quality for a team fighting for the 4th Champions League spot but not a team who is fighting for the title.

I would rather spend the £12m on Gareth Barry and I don't want him either.

Absolute joke this.

Stewart Downing to turn us from title contenders to champions?

Jog on.

He's like Glen Johnson, only shines in a poor side.

Not unless he bought me a Mercedes.

I've never rated him. But Rafa obviously sees something in him if we're to believe the latest link.

Personally though, I don't think he is good enough for LFC. In games where I've seen him play, he can go missing and needs a lot of time on the ball.

And this quote below is from an admin on a Boro forum. I think it says a lot to be honest coming from a Boro fan.

I hope he does stay as on a good day he is a good player and can create chances.

Downing would be such a waste of money but you know someone (hope it is not us) will fork over 10m-12m for him. He is a younger English version of Riera

I'd rate him if he bought me a Mercedes.

But the only reason people rate him is because he's English. If he was Dutch, German, Spanish, Argie or whatever, no-one would think anything of him. I think he's a poor player, and one I don't want here EVEN if he bought me a Mercedes.