Philip Degen (Borussia Dortmund)

I got a text off a friend of mine last night saying we have almost completed the signing of Philip Degen. Hes a swiss international who plays at Borrussia Dortmund. He is a 25 year old right back. Im sure he played against us a few years back for FC Basle

Now I have no idea where or how my mate heard this so if theres any further nes on this in the echo or anything let us know

This would almost certainly spell the end for Steve Finnan

Finnan has had his injury worries this season and if confirmed this Philip Degan will provide cover for him just as we have at least 2 first team players for each position.  Should be good competition for him.

Should be good competition for him.

Exactly.

Competition is what we need for the wings.  Especially at the back.

I want Rafinha, seems like a promising young player, i wont write this guy off if this is true though.

How reliable is a mate's text message?

http://kop-tv.com/go/philipp-degen-our-new-signing/

It is reported that Swiss international full back Philipp Degen is one of the reported three signings Rafa Benitez has already secured for this summer.

25 year old Degen is currently at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga having previously played for FC Basle and was in the Switzerland squad in the World Cup 2006. His contract expires with Dortmund this summer and is available as a Bosman signing.

He is said to be technically sound right back but can also play on the left side if required. Newstalk 106 had a German correspondent on their show on Wednesday night who responded to talk of Philip Lahm rumours by indicating that the deal for Degen has been done.

Degen has played as a right winger at some stage in his career but is described as an attacking but strong full back where he has been used most by Dortmund since joining them in 2005.


I think its more than just a mate's text message now....

Bosman signing  so no risk here, sounds decent but proving it is another thing. Here's hoping for another Arby and not a Pellegrino.

How reliable is a mate's text message?

very by the sounds of it

Bosman signing  so no risk here, sounds decent but proving it is another thing. Here's hoping for another Arby and not a Pellegrino.

Sorry but I believe that Arby is very overrated. He had a few good games last season and all of a sudden he's a great player. Well in my opinion he's no better than Wes Brown.

His defensive awareness is terrible. He's not bad when attacking but when he's defending he just lets his marker run free a lot of the time. Terribly overrated IMO

Ra Ra didn't you have him as your avatar for months?

And I've never heard of this guy, but if he's free then why not? I would say signing him rules out Rafinha though.

Ra Ra didn't you have him as your avatar for months?

And I've never heard of this guy, but if he's free then why not? I would say signing him rules out Rafinha though.

What does that suppose to mean? At the end of the day he's a Liverpool player so he gets my support! Here to a sig with John Arne Riise!

Here to a sig with John Arne Riise!

Step back mate!

As for Arby, for the money we paid for him he has been excellent. I think he's much better than Brown and has developed his attacking game to really put him in the Spanish spotlight for the national squad. From virtual unknown to squad player for the national side is a massive boost and a great buy.

Yeah you have a point there but even Wes Brown is an England International right now...

Anyway, it's spread over every newspaper and media site that Phillip Degan has already agreed terms with Liverpool. It wouldn't suprise me either you know.

Hmm not a fan.
We need a genuine quality starter...not more squad competition.

Hmm not a fan.
We need a genuine quality starter...not more squad competition.

Have you seen him play? I've heard little about him and saw a few clips but from what I know he doesn't impress me too much...

I found out last weekend from someone connected with the club that we'd signed a new right-back. Looks like he's the man.

Very quick, good on the ball, and can deliver quality into the box. Not the best full-back in the world, but another step in the right direction, with Finnan nearing the end of his effectiveness.

Sorry but I believe that Arby is very overrated. He had a few good games last season and all of a sudden he's a great player. Well in my opinion he's no better than Wes Brown.

His defensive awareness is terrible. He's not bad when attacking but when he's defending he just lets his marker run free a lot of the time. Terribly overrated IMO

Yeah, he really let Messi take the piss last season, didn't he? The lad didn't get a kick home or away thanks to Arbeloa...

Arbeloa is decent going forward, but a very good man-marker. The fact he can play on either flank is handy, too. I sense Degen has a bit more pace and is more of an attacking option.

Have you seen him play? I've heard little about him and saw a few clips but from what I know he doesn't impress me too much...

Sorry mate, but a few clips doe's not paint a full picture of a player.
Let's give this player a little respect first.
Maybe he hasn't signed yet ?, but if he has, please lets get behind him and let him show us what he can do.

I'm sorry but with all the talk about David Bentley, Luka Modric, David Villa, Silva, Pablo Aimar, Quaresma, Heinze, Maxi Rodriguez and the rest of them world beaters and the best we come up with is a guy called Philip bludy Degen! who is he? I havn't got a clue I can tell you that. So this is the "first team signing" that Rafa said he'd secured some weeks back. Antonio Valencia has been linked Antonio Valencia so whilst the likes of Chavski will be going for big name quality, we'll be going for that Wigan winger that hasn't done much at all. i'm sorry but last time I checked down the bottom of the table, Zarate at Birmingham was the only name lighting it up down there.

OK I can understand the two Spanish lads because Benitez does that and I fully trust and respect that side of his game but leave out Gareth Barry please. I mean we have Xabi and if he leaves then we can get someone better then Gareth Barry!

What happened to all the hype around us getting David Bentley?? I guess that quality signing has gone and we'll be getting Philip bludy Degen

Case closed, must be sh*te then if babel99's never heard of him.

I'm gonna give this guy a chance and wait till he gets here rather than right him off, he could turn about to be another skrtel or agger hadnt heard of them either.

Case closed, must be sh*te then if babel99's never heard of him.

 

Seriously tho if we rate Rafa's signings by whether we have heard of the player or not then Skrtel,Arbeloa,Lucas,Nemeth,Aurelio, a heap of the talented young lads and Momo even tho hes gone would have been wrote off in my head as poor signings. If  Rafa signs this lad which looks certain then I'm sure he has something going for him. Rafa knows what hes doing for sure!!

philip degen sounds like a great and strong right back we can only welcome such a good player and strengthen our defence. For me finnan will be back stronger and fitter look to challenge for his place again

Case closed, must be sh*te then if babel99's never heard of him.

To be honest theres something wrong with you! You have this attitude that if you dont agree with what someone has said that you dont challenge it intellectualy but you make a stupid remark. Why not challenge my earlier quote. Im sorry Eddie mate but not everyone can agree with you. The world is diverse mate, get to grips with it. Go on you might aswell ban me because thats what you done last time when we had a little spat. You dont half get on my nerves! I've never heard of this player and i was kind of hoping that when rafa quoted "i have signed a first team player" that it would have been a fantastic buy. Sorry for having hope. I promise i'll agree with everything you say next time. .*** head