Benzema

[Diego Darker]

This discussion is not about Benzema any more.

To add my view I would say Evra is better than Lahm.

[j.will]

This discussion is not about Benzema any more.

To add my view I would say Evra is better than Lahm.

Evidently Evra is better but Lahm would be easier to buy

[Diego Darker]

Yes I agree.

We wouldn't get Evra.

I would have Lahm, he would be good for us.

[Silvztoon]

Tbh Barca dont need Benzema, we have Bojan, which will most likely, develop into a world-class player. Therefor we should rather go for Silva on the left wing, as Henry will retire soon.

[ToreH]

Sooo off topic, but just have to do..

Evra, Clichy, Cole, capdevila and Abidal as he plays now

there you go..

[Mythical Revolution]

Forget about Evra. His contract runs until 2012 with no reason for him or United to let go. Now back to topic...

Even if Eto'o remains with the club next year (hopefully + no reason for him not to) we would still need another striker. With Bojan we have a world class player in the making, but he's still too young and we still need another striker. Why?

Because with the players and style of play we have our interests would be best served with a 4-2-1-1-2 formation. Over the last 4 years, believe it or not, Eto'o has scored against the big guns (except for Real) only when they were a man down. This is explained by the fact that he was marked by 3 players: 2 CB + 1 DM for whom marking Deco would be useless (Deco often tracks back, and is more a threat with his passes).

Another striker alongside Eto'o would allow Eto'o the freedom to track back, escape marking by moving to the wings without leaving the center empty and would give Messi the entire pitch wreak havoc onto. That's why I expect us to go shopping next year for an AM (Hernanes) and a striker.

We should not forget however that we already have Bojan and have expressed interest in Walter da Silva (another 19 years old striker). Benzema would be ideal, but he's been kissing Madrid's Ass this year, is exorbitantly expensive and seems willing to stay for another year. Torres is a distant possibility, and is not cheap either (though with only 2 signings to make, a big splash wouldn't be that extravagant). That's why Villa would be ideal for us: Great striker, no need to adapt to La Liga, consistent, relatively more attainable and at a much cheaper price than the names mentioned above with the added bonus of not being too young or too old so as to come in direct competition with Bojan.

[IndoCulé]

Benzema Pledges Future To Lyon For Next Season

Karim Benzema has confirmed he will be staying at Lyon for next season ending months of speculation about his future.

The France international striker, who has been linked with a number of Europe's heavyweight clubs over the past year, indicated in December he would make a decision on his future after Les Gones' Champions League last-16 double-header against Barcelona.

This week Lyon lost to the Catalan giants crashing out of Europe 6-3 on aggregate, but the defeat has not prevented the 21-year-old pledging his short-term future to the Ligue 1 champions.

"I'm going to stay at Lyon," he said, following a Lyon training session on Friday. "I feel really good at OL, I am surrounded by good people and I still have time. I shouldn't have said I would make my decision after Barcelona.

"This decision will not be changed, whether or not we retain the title, whether or not France qualify for the next World Cup.

"At 21, I am still developing, I am going to get better and progress. At Lyon, I play regularly in big matches and I take part in the Champions League."

In September, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas slapped a price tag of 100m euros on Benzema.

Lyon are the reigning French champions and have won the Ligue 1 title seven years straight, but their dominance is under threat this season, with their lead over Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the standings down to just a single point.

Lyon will hope that Benzema's vow to remain at the club will prove to be a fillip ahead of this Sunday's vital clash against Auxerre.

Article taken from: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... nd&cc=4716

[zappafan]

That's fine by me, I was completely underwhelmed by him when he played against us.

[Galning]

He's so overrated.

[j.will]

He's so overrated.

maybe but still one of the most talented young players who we should focus on in the future

[zqa]

Matches I've seen so far with Lyonnais (and Benzema), he hasn't been anywhere near his pricetag.

[IndoCulé]

He's so overrated.

maybe but still one of the most talented young players who we should focus on in the future

Fully agree with you j.will.

[IndoCulé]

Puel: Lyon Would Let Benzema Join Another Club

Lyon coach Claude Puel has admitted the club would let Karim Benzema join another club if the striker wished to do so.

The 21-year-old is one of the world's hottest properties at the moment, with Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid among the clubs reportedly considering a 40m euro (£34m) bid.

Both Lyon and Benzema have always claimed he will remain at the Stade Gerland at least until next summer's World Cup, but Puel knows that could swiftly change.

"We know his importance at Olympique Lyonnais and his efficiency in our squad," Puel told the club website. "He's an exceptional player, but we also know the financial figures of the club.

"We will evaluate the situation with him when he comes back - July 2 - what he wants to do, we'll listen to him. For several months he has said that he wishes to stay with us for the year before the World Cup.

"If he has any dreams of leaving we will discuss them with him if there are any concrete offers, which is not the case at the moment.

"So there is no 'Benzema problem' because the player is still with us. Ahead of a transfer which could be out of the ordinary, there is everything to consider."

Puel insists, however, that Benzema will only leave if the club manage to line up a suitable replacement.

"We will study the situation if it happens to present itself," he continued. "This doesn't mean that he will definitely leave Lyon.

"For any coach it would be a great loss to lose Karim. It would mean that we have to replace him - therefore it would be out of the question to lose Karim if one or two players of his calibre were not coming in."

Benzema came through the ranks with the French giants and burst onto the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as top the league's scoring charts.

The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but the France forward nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions - an average of a goal every other game.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... rs&cc=4716

[IndoCulé]

This fool joined Madrid.

[dee08fcb]

i pity the fool