Who would you want to sign?

Well there is the options...
Personally I want to see David Villa here next season.
Should be an interesting topic this!
Discuss...

It would have to be Villa for me too.

Henry great as it would be, would never come. I know a lot has been made about certain comments he made regarding our club & supporters, and I do believe that if he had the chance to do it all again he would've come to us, but that's all water under the bridge now, he's loyal to the Arsenal fans, and whilst I do believe he'll move in the summer, it won't be to another premiership club.

I'm not sure who it was who said this about Torres, but it sums him up perfectly: 'He's a scorer of great goals, but he's not a great goalscorer'

With Robbie probably on his way in the summer, we need a finisher just as good to replace him. Initially, Torres' record of 68 goals in 159 games sems quite impressive, but you have to look at the way Atletico play. They play as a one man team, with everything going through to Torres, and therefore he has the lions share of the chances, very similar to the way Auxerre played with Cisse in their team. As with Cisse, I don't feel he would adapt too well to having to be part of a team, and the hard work & tracking back that Rafa wants from his strikers.

Villa on the other hand, would be a much better option IMO. The lad doesn't rely on being fed the ball all the time, he can create something out of nothing, with that little bit of magic. Also, I can't find any stats to back me up, but I'm sure his assist rate will be a lot higher than Torres. But what makes him so special, is that he can do this and still score goals, 104 in 211 appearances so far. When you take into account that he's only been with Valencia since 2005, and before that was playing for Real Zaragoza & Sporting de Gijon, that tally only serves to become even more impressive. Villa is a real rarity, a clinical finisher who actually has more to his game than just goals.

Eto'o would be my second choice if we do get priced out on Villa. I'd say he's a slightly better goalscorer, but has a little less to his all round game. Having said that, with personell around him like Kuyt & Crouch, hard working players who create a lot for others, he could just shine.

I would love for us to sign villa, but if the rumours are true and chavski bid 45m, liverpool will have no chance, we badly need a finisher.

I feel eto'o would be a much better option than villa. What does anyone think about darren bent?

I feel eto'o would be a much better option than villa. What does anyone think about darren bent?

Eto'o is a great player. On the other hand Darren Bent would not be good enough for us.

I cant see us getting Villa due to chelsea outbidding us with a rediculas bid, unless he truely truely wants to play for us, and they are willing to let him go, which they have openly said he is going nowhere??

Personally,

Eto = sounds like he will be leaving barca at the end of the season
Quesremo = He could be just what we are missing, just as good as ronaldo from what ive seen of him, which isnt loads i must say, but if youve not seen him, check him out on youtube.
Alves = loves getting forward, looks a good player

these 3 will probably be around 50 m + the clearout we will have should raise the funds to get these 3, they really could make us into title chanlengers I.M.O 

Court bent has scored 29 in 65 games for a bottom half team while eto'o and villa, although top class strikers are unproven in the premier league. I just think bent would be a good addition if we miss out on the other two

I cant see us getting Villa due to chelsea outbidding us with a rediculas bid, unless he truely truely wants to play for us, and they are willing to let him go, which they have openly said he is going nowhere??

Personally,

Eto = sounds like he will be leaving barca at the end of the season
Quesremo = He could be just what we are missing, just as good as ronaldo from what ive seen of him, which isnt loads I must say, but if youve not seen him, check him out on youtube.
Alves = loves getting forward, looks a good player

these 3 will probably be around 50 m + the clearout we will have should raise the funds to get these 3, they really could make us into title chanlengers I.M.O 

Chelsea do not have the funds like the previous 2 / 3 seasons, so I don't think they can spend on ridiculous figures as before.
Also the topic is about which of the 4 players in Samuel Eto'o, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Thierry Henry would you want most, not who you would suggest.

I would have to go for Villa, because he is a player who will run at and take on defenders. He is the sort of striker we have been missing.

Henry for me he knows what the premiership is all about wouldnt need time to settle in bang bang goals galore.

It would have to be Villa for me too.

Henry great as it would be, would never come. I know a lot has been made about certain comments he made regarding our club & supporters, and I do believe that if he had the chance to do it all again he would've come to us, but that's all water under the bridge now, he's loyal to the Arsenal fans, and whilst I do believe he'll move in the summer, it won't be to another premiership club.

I'm not sure who it was who said this about Torres, but it sums him up perfectly: 'He's a scorer of great goals, but he's not a great goalscorer'

With Robbie probably on his way in the summer, we need a finisher just as good to replace him. Initially, Torres' record of 68 goals in 159 games sems quite impressive, but you have to look at the way Atletico play. They play as a one man team, with everything going through to Torres, and therefore he has the lions share of the chances, very similar to the way Auxerre played with Cisse in their team. As with Cisse, I don't feel he would adapt too well to having to be part of a team, and the hard work & tracking back that Rafa wants from his strikers.

Villa on the other hand, would be a much better option IMO. The lad doesn't rely on being fed the ball all the time, he can create something out of nothing, with that little bit of magic. Also, I can't find any stats to back me up, but I'm sure his assist rate will be a lot higher than Torres. But what makes him so special, is that he can do this and still score goals, 104 in 211 appearances so far. When you take into account that he's only been with Valencia since 2005, and before that was playing for Real Zaragoza & Sporting de Gijon, that tally only serves to become even more impressive. Villa is a real rarity, a clinical finisher who actually has more to his game than just goals.

Eto'o would be my second choice if we do get priced out on Villa. I'd say he's a slightly better goalscorer, but has a little less to his all round game. Having said that, with personell around him like Kuyt & Crouch, hard working players who create a lot for others, he could just shine.

I agree with you on Villa as he is awsome and he would be my number 1 choice but what your saying about torres is pretty harsh, La Liga is alot harder that the french first division for a start, and they are totally different players Torres does alot of work for atheltico as why do you think he's captin? Cisse was just play the ball through the middle Cisse would run onto it and shoot, Torres (as per world cup/La Liga) is much more suited to the prem and i think will be very good if he comes over here......

I agree with you on Villa as he is awsome and he would be my number 1 choice but what your saying about torres is pretty harsh, La Liga is alot harder that the french first division for a start, and they are totally different players Torres does alot of work for atheltico as why do you think he's captin? Cisse was just play the ball through the middle Cisse would run onto it and shoot, Torres (as per world cup/La Liga) is much more suited to the prem and I think will be very good if he comes over here......

Don't get me wrong, Torres is still a good player, but nowhere near the class of David Villa. As I said his goalscoring record looks impressive at first, but lets look a bit more in depth.

This season Torres has had 84 shots on goal, 50 on target for 10 goals. 3 of these goals were penalties though, so really that's 1 goal for every 7 shots on target, or 1 goal for every 12 shots.

Villa on the other hand, has had 78 shots on goal, 50 on target for 13 goals. 2 of these have been penalties, so that's one goal for every 4.5 shots on target, or 1 goal for every 7 shots, much better than Torres.

Additionally Villa has 10 assists this season compaed to Torres' 4

either Eto'o or Torres. We will be priced out of signing Villa as Benitez wont want to splash all his money on 1 player

either Eto'o or Torres. We will be priced out of signing Villa as Benitez wont want to splash all his money on 1 player

I can't believe some people. I produce stats that show Torres' shots to goals ratio is shocking, and in the very next post you reccomend we buy him? Do you actually read anything that's posted before you Adam?

I can't believe some people. I produce stats that show Torres' shots to goals ratio is shocking, and in the very next post you reccomend we buy him? Do you actually read anything that's posted before you Adam?

I was going to accually complement your use of stats when I was in college before. Teacher came in so I had to log out!
Anyway I think people are looking to the cheaper option. If we cannot sign Villa for less than 40 million I think other people are looking at Torres as a last resort.

I was going to accually complement your use of stats when I was in college before. Teacher came in so I had to log out!
Anyway I think people are looking to the cheaper option. If we cannot sign Villa for less than 40 million I think other people are looking at Torres as a last resort.

Gotta admit Court, I had a few last night, and looking at my post now I was a bit harsh on the lad. If we want the cheaper option it'd have to be Eto'o for me, I'll get back shortly with stats to back it up.

Chelski May have a need for another striker very soon, with shev throwing the toys out, and they definitely won't get £31m for the guy when he goes, so part of the question must be, who will they go for?

we don't want a bidding war with them, but we do need a class finisher (shevchenco for £10m ?) no seriously, Villa is the man but we may not have the £££ to get him, also United will maybe offloading Saha and will be in the market for a top No. 9  going to be very interesting in the Summer and I think, very expensive (the Spanish clubs will be rubbing their hands already me thinks!?!)

DH

Ok, got the Eto'o stats now, and I have to admit, my head's been seriously turned.

I haven't used this season's stats as he's been injured for half of it, but last season he played 34, scoring 26, all from open play. In doing this he took 110 shots, 70 of them on target. Adding to my belief that he's got less of an all round game though, he only got 2 assists.

So in table form, so it's easy to digest, we have:

Name       Games     Goals    Assists    Pens    Shots   On Target   Goals/Game   Goals/Shot   Goals/On Target

Villa            30          13        10          2        78          50              0.37            0.14                0.22           
Eto'o          34          26        2           0        110         70              0.76            0.23                0.37

Torres        31          10         4           3        84          50              0.22            0.08                0.14

For the purposes of scoring ratios, I haven't included penalties, as they don't give a true reflection.

I feel the table quite clearly shows that if you want an out & out goalscorer Eto'o would be your man, although he did have a freakishly good season last year, so I wouldn't expect a return like that year in year out. If your after a man with a bit more to his game than goals, but still a potent threat, it would have to be Villa. And if you want an overated upstart who believes his own hype, Torres is your man. Trust me, this guy would be a bigger waste of money thn either Cisse or Diouf were.

Top info Motty..  I mean Eddie

DH

Interesting stuff eddie I didn't realise torres ratio was so poor, definatly not living up to the hype! If we don't get eto'o or villa who would you go for?

If we would have the choice in what is proposed in the poll, it can't be anybody else then Henry, the lad is pure class, his finishing deadly, he knows the premiership like the back of his hand, probably the faster player on Hearth.

Seriously talking now, I would like Eto'o to sign for us, his pace is impressive and african player seemed to adapt quicker then spanish one in the premiership and he would be cheaper then Villa.

Interesting stuff eddie I didn't realise torres ratio was so poor, definatly not living up to the hype! If we don't get eto'o or villa who would you go for?

Lester76 is gonna love hearing me say this, but I'd probably go for Tevez. I've nevber questioned the lads ability, my concerns always been about his attitude, he never looked like he was trying, bit like Cisse when he was always whinging at his team mates. But the way he's performed for the last 6 weeks or so has really changed my opinion on him. He's shown grit & determination, basically all the things that were missing in the first half of the season. Fair play, maybe it's just taken the lad a while to settle over here, he didn't speak a word of English when he first came, but he's definately gone up in my estimation. Villa & Eto'o are still my first & second choices, but after that I probably would go for Tevez if we get priced out on the others.

Agree with tevez he looks quality any time i've seen him. But would he score enough ? What do you think of darren bent or dean ashton if we miss out on eto'o or villa?

Agree with tevez he looks quality any time I've seen him. But would he score enough ? What do you think of darren bent or dean ashton if we miss out on eto'o or villa?

Ashton plays a hold up role similar to Crouch, but isn't as good at it IMO. I would look at Bent if he was available for sensible money, but think we can be aiming higher. He's better than Bellamy but not as good as Eto'o or Villa.

I agree we should be aiming higher with new signings. I've said before we only need 2/3 world class players to add to the current squad but I think bent is worth a try if we miss our top targets, after all he has proven he can score in the premiership with a struggling team. How good could he be playing with top players

I agree we should be aiming higher with new signings. I've said before we only need 2/3 world class players to add to the current squad but I think bent is worth a try if we miss our top targets, after all he has proven he can score in the premiership with a struggling team. How good could he be playing with top players

Agree, but we need to get out of the mentality of 'if we miss our top targets'. Plain & simple, we've got the money now, we've gotta pay whatever the right player costs rather than settling for second best anymore. IMO Eto'o will be available for £15-20m, and I honestly believe despite the figures being thrown around, if someone put in a serious £25m offer for Villa, Valencia would sell.

Agree with you again eddie!!!!! With the finance available we should make sure we get our top targets but do you think rafa will overspend if needed to get those players? That is my only concern. I think he knows who he wants but has always been quite cautious in the transfer market.

Don't think were going to get Villa(i hope I'm wrong)the price will be to high if he wants to come to the prem.
Eto,o would come at a better price, but would still cost a lot.
Cant see Rafa spending all his money on 1 or 2 players, think Rafa likes to see value for his money.
Tevez i have been saying for a long time, is a top draw player, would love to see him at Liverpool.
Bent not sure on him, dont know if he can go up a peg or two.

That's the point i'm making graham. Rafa in the past liked to get value for money but we are past that stage now. We need quality not quantity. Too many players this summer will slow down our start again. The squad along with the young players coming thruogh is the best we have had in a while and only needs 2/3 top class players to push for the title.

where money matters i think it could be tevez who wins the race.
although vila still might come through.
with 8m +for bellamy plus US cash
we should be challenging with the big boys this year.

I think Eto'o or villa will spice up our attack.we need a target man in our setup

I think Eto'o or villa will spice up our attack.we need a target man in our setup

WTF? Is this a joke?

Crouch is a target man. Kuyt, to a lesser extent is a target man. Players like Didier Drogba, John Carew, they're target men. Villa & Eto'o certainly aren't. They are both players who like the ball played into the space between the defenders to run on to, skill players. In the case of Eto'o with a lot of power behind him as well, simply bulldozing the opponents in his path. With Villa, there's an extra dimension to his game, in that he can create something out of nothing, with the ball at his feet. What neither of them is though, is a target man. They're not very good at holding the ball up, they don't take a couple of defenders with them on set pieces, and they're not that talented with their heads, as well as their obvious lack of height.

Lester76 is gonna love hearing me say this, but I'd probably go for Tevez. I've nevber questioned the lads ability, my concerns always been about his attitude, he never looked like he was trying, bit like Cisse when he was always whinging at his team mates. But the way he's performed for the last 6 weeks or so has really changed my opinion on him. He's shown grit & determination, basically all the things that were missing in the first half of the season. Fair play, maybe it's just taken the lad a while to settle over here, he didn't speak a word of English when he first came, but he's definately gone up in my estimation. Villa & Eto'o are still my first & second choices, but after that I probably would go for Tevez if we get priced out on the others.

Ah ha!!! Thats right....everyone get onboard the 'Tevez For liverpool' bandwagon...right you lot...search your hearts and your posts and see how you all dismissed me and the Tevez campaign...and now slowly but surely you are all changing....EddieC...new found respect...a man who can admit when he is wrong and can embrace the new way foward.....you can all thank me later....(that rant was a bit like Tony Blair recruiting for the Sciencetologists)

one big problem with Tevez.....He's uglier than both the neville brothers!!

one big problem with Tevez.....He's uglier than both the neville brothers!!

Tevez & Kuyt upfront, all the ladies are gonna want to watch us aren't they!

imagine the fear in all the defenders eyes next season...thats 15 points in the bag right there...now if only we can bring back the QPR minger Gary Micklewhite we'll win the league....or Mike Duxbery...he was a looker

Villa/Torres/Eto'o cost far too much and don't come with a cast-iron gurantee of producing in the premier league

I thinkthe other Valencia striker Angulo is quality. He can really play and would seem more suited to the prem.

Villa/Torres/Eto'o cost far too much and don't come with a cast-iron gurantee of producing in the premier league

I thinkthe other Valencia striker Angulo is quality. He can really play and would seem more suited to the prem.

And you think angulo is guaranteed to produce in the prem? I'd much rather spend big on villa or eto'o than take a chance on angulo at least they are proven at the top level if not in england!!

i have to say Villa would be brilliant but i would go for Eto

SRSLFC...

From what I've seen (which is quite a bit) I do think Angulo is a great player and has more to his game than just finishing. Thought he showed more than Villa aginst Chelsea

Arsene Wenger thought so a couple of seasons ago when he tried to sign him as he wanted him to play along side Henry but refused and decided to stay with Valencia.

I may not have a great record for spotting premiership strikers but I reckon Wenger has.

The fact that a striker gets rumoured to be in the clubs interests in the press doesn't mean that we have to go along with it.

SRSLFC...

From what I've seen (which is quite a bit) I do think Angulo is a great player and has more to his game than just finishing.

I'd agree with that, but the fact is we already have three strikers who have more to their game than finishing, four if you include Voronin, who I hope has more to him, cos his strike rate's appauling.

Fact is, an out & out finisher is what we need, and Villa or Eto'o fit the bill perfectly. I don't think Torres would be any good, refer to my posts on the previous page.

kaka would be number  choice

kaka would be number  choice

People might laugh at that, but he might be available in the summer. He's publicly said that if Milan don't qualify for next seasons CL he wants to leave. More likely he'll stay in Italy or go to Spain than come here though. You never know though, if we beat them again, he might have the attitude of if you can't beat them, join them?

on skysports.com he said that if he ever left Milan then he would definately look at the Prem, and with the new owners backing, we could sign him altough i doubt it very much.

I pretty sure I saw the Kaka interview on tele and he went on to say that if he came to England then he'd love to play alongside Ronaldo

I pretty sure I saw the Kaka interview on tele and he went on to say that if he came to England then he'd love to play alongside Ronaldo

No he said he would like to play alongside ronaldo at Milan, he never said at utd.

No he said he would like to play alongside ronaldo at Milan, he never said at utd.

That's right! It was his fellow countryman he was refering to.
Kaka, would be a ridiculously great signing! But I can't see that happening. Could it?

I think Tevez would be a decent acquisition.  I also want either Eto'o or Henry (which is possible if Wenger goes).  Kaka would be nice - we need somebody genuinely skillful (ala Ronaldo) - and spare me the Kewell crap.  He's not good enough.

If Gonzalez can come back like the player he was in Spain he might just get himself an Anfield career.

Hey JD can we add Tevez to this poll at the top of the topic? Also how much mileage do you think Henry has left in the tank?....He's been exceptional for so long...hate to think we weren't getting the best of him....yeah we need a Ronaldo (how it pains me to accept his brilliance)...a lot of us are liking Quaresma....looks Ronaldo-esque...also love Mattias Fernandez the Chilean.....over at Villareal.....very nice player....as for Eto'o...think he'd be a slight gamble but believe it it worked he'd be better for us and our style than Henry......Gonzalez also deserves a season at least...not a fan but deserves a chance...

SRSLFC...

From what I've seen (which is quite a bit) I do think Angulo is a great player and has more to his game than just finishing. Thought he showed more than Villa aginst Chelsea

Arsene Wenger thought so a couple of seasons ago when he tried to sign him as he wanted him to play along side Henry but refused and decided to stay with Valencia.

I may not have a great record for spotting premiership strikers but I reckon Wenger has.

The fact that a striker gets rumoured to be in the clubs interests in the press doesn't mean that we have to go along with it.

I don't disagree that angulo is a good player I was just pointing out that no player is guaranteed to produce in the prem and that eto'o and villa have a bit more experience at the top level.

I also agree that we don't have to go along with the press rumours all the time, but you can't dispute that eto'o or villa would be great signings for the club