Dani Alves

[conormcfc]

Ibra big nose has been moved on loads, mustn't have been good enough

Plenty of United fans are of the opinion that he held them back last year. That can happen when you offer veteran players big contracts.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Insane stat. Exceptional signing this

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

That volley he hit in the semi-final win over Monaco was just beautiful.

Big game player, big game mentality.

His influence in the dressing room could be huge.

 

[Homar]

Why? My opinion on the player is that he's in his twilight years and could struggle. Sorry if that upsets people but it is what it is.

If he is able to continue at a similar level to that at which he performed for Juve then certainly, for a year at least, he would make a good signing?
Free transfer with reasonable wages. What's not to like? His performance against Monaco in the Champions League was exceptional. If he can maintain that level for a year then he should not struggle in the EPL.

 

[conormcfc]

But there's no evidence to back up your assertion that he's on the decline.

We are still in for Walker as well anyway.

I don't think he's anything like what he was 5 years ago. So yes, on the decline. Added to the fact he has no prem experience, think a little skepticism is understandable.

He's played in worse back lines for Barca and coped far better against Madrid than he did in the final.

My opinion is that it'll turn out like Maicon/Schweinsteiger. As I've said, hope the bloke proves me wrong.

 

[conormcfc]

If he is able to continue at a similar level to that at which he performed for Juve then certainly, for a year at least, he would make a good signing?
Free transfer with reasonable wages. What's not to like? His performance against Monaco in the Champions League was exceptional. If he can maintain that level for a year then he should not struggle in the EPL.

I agree with this. I just don't have the confidence that it's gonna happen.

How many players have come to England for the first time at age 34 and maintained their level? Ibra was shocking for the first 3 months last year, can't do that as a defender.

 

[Marvin]

Why? My opinion on the player is that he's in his twilight years and could struggle. Sorry if that upsets people but it is what it is.

I'd admire your bottle for standing your ground, and it would be boring if no one did it, but I disagree with you.

You seem to be making 2 points:

1) Which is legitimate opinion, but I think wrong. Alves has nothing to offer City next season. Or is at best a squad player. I am sympathetic to this as I said similar when the transfer was first discussed. But if you have a look you'll find he was their 1st choice in the big games (he had a leg fracture which interrupted his season) and was outstanding in the Champions League in some very big matches. I don't see how you can hold this position if you go back over Juventus's season and have a look at Alves's role in it. Very impressive.

2) Your historical view of Alves as being a sub-standard defender or as having weaknesses is surely a massive exaggeration. He'll go down as one of the best right backs in the history of the game. He was never moved on from a club because of weakness. barcelona eventually moved him on. Prematurely in most peoples view.

 

[Homar]

I agree with this. I just don't have the confidence that it's gonna happen.

How many players have come to England for the first time at age 34 and maintained their level? Ibra was shocking for the first 3 months last year, can't do that as a defender.

I do agree that there is some risk associated with this transfer. There is a chance that, with his age, his performances quickly deteriorate and he becomes a liability. However, if we were to additionally sign another competent right-back (say Walker), then my opinion is that this is a risk worth taking.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

It's a belting deal, in principal; there's a core within the squad, should this happen, who have won the lot .... it's not inconceivable that during the evolution of the squad that we'll see a bench as strong as the prem has ever seen.... imagine the baton being handed over in 12 months where the bench is bravo, yaya, komps, alves, aguero, silva..... obviously a few of those are retained but the strength in depth allows no excuses!

 

[Marvin]

I agree with this. I just don't have the confidence that it's gonna happen.

How many players have come to England for the first time at age 34 and maintained their level? Ibra was shocking for the first 3 months last year, can't do that as a defender.

Well he did it in Serie A in Champions league games. Why can't he do it for City? Alves just isn't any other player. Ibra was well over-hyped last season. He was very static and Utd's goal-scoring was no better than the season before so I would say Ibra's season was at best a partial success.

What about Frank Lampard? he scored 15 league goals at the age of 34 for Chelsea.