Tuesday, 27 January 09, 01:24 AM · Comments (33)
Okay, the Grandin one popped up yesterday so shouldn't really be classified for today, but I've got a lot on today and I'm expecting at least two other posts as I've sort of woken up all invigorated, don't ask me why.
But, to Grandin. He is a 21 year old striker currently playing for Olympique de Marseille. He's apparently got a little bit of talent and he's quite quick. Apart from that, he's one of those that I'm just guessing is only getting linked to us, because his agent is looking for a fast buck.
Moving on, to something much more likely, especially considering our injury concerns at the moment and it's the rumour of the day and his name is Paul Scharner and he currently plays at Wigan.
Not the best defender you'll see play this season, but he's a very good one and for some reason I've got 'versatile' in my head when I think of him.
One thing is for sure, Martin O'Neill tends to make players that can play football a little better, so if there is any substance to this, and you've got to fancy we need another central defender, then it maybe wouldn't be such a bad one; at 28 years old, he's got a few seasons left in him.
The talk is, the price would be around £6mn. and the player also has something to say on the matter, “Villa are ambitious, joining them would be an upward step. I originally decided to stay with Wigan in the New Year. But if an offer comes in, I will consider it.”
Right, that's about it for now, but like I said, they'll be at least one more post today, maybe even two or three. Just need to get some coffee down my next, quick.
Aston Villa in Europe
33 Comments · Add yours
Sharner is a versatile defender that can play in midfield (as cover for Petrov). He gets stuck in just like Martin Laursen so i think that he could be a good signing. however Zat has been trying to improve, Cuellar, havent seen enough of him at Centre Back to justify if he is a quality CB. overall Scharner could be used as another player who comes in and fits in somewhere (Luke Young)
Are you hinting at a signing or two.
Can someone please,please,please tell me what is the REAL situation about Carew??????
LEE
no. i've just woken with loads of energy and i've got a few things i should have posted recently and i've not been bothered. going for it today, as i've got a bit of time
timothyvilla1
the company line is he has had a bad back. i don't always believe everything i'm told by the 'company' and there has been a whisper or two that he's had a falling out with martin o'neill
Scharner would be a good signing as already stated he is versatile can play anywhere along the back line as well as centre mid. Before the transfer window closes I think you could see N'Zogbia, M Johnson, Sturridge and Scharner all signing for the Villa. I like the idea of this as well with Heskey already here and maybe Scharner that would give us the extra experience to compete on 3 fronts. As for the other 3 they are all young lads with bundles of talent who would surely thrive under MON as all young players seem too.
As for tonight 3-1 villa
I have this feeling inside me, its like an inevitable feeling, i had it about Heskey signing and i'm getting it about Carew leaving too.
Reply to villadam:
i hope u r right with the predictions of those three players especially johnson and sturridge.nzogbia looks a fine player too with a bit of xfactor that villa needs.upson from west ham be nice so would baines from everton but i as well of the rest of our villa brothers and sisters have faith in mon to make the right decisions.
i think tonite 2-0
Scharner would be a fantastic addition. Perfect for our defensive partnerships. He is extremely versatile, scores a couple of goals a season. Exactly what we need. He can easily fill in for Laursen in the middle, but I'd honestly be looking to play him in LB.
Scharner - Cuellar - Davies - L.Young.
We can win 4th with that.
Reply to timothyvilla1:
He's back in training. Will probably be a couple of weeks still. It's as simple as that.
Scharner's a decent player, and versatile as pointed out above. He'd make a good squad player for us.
Carew will might be on the bench tody, I know him from back when we used to play together in Oslo (Vålerenga)
So there are nothing to worry about, he`s just been injuried.
Looking forward to the rest of the season!!!
Reply to Zidave:
Yeah thats all we have to know! Its a terrible thought, Carew leaving! We have to remember how good we are with him in the team. He's absolutely quality in my eyes!
Reply to Villa_Chris:
mate i couldnt agree more
i have been astounded with the amount of fans who have been quick to say they dont want him. I cant think of a better target man. Hes miles better than Heskey and scores a hell of a lot more goals
Damian, I know you like semi-naked Ladies but I've heard MON likes a bit of Fanni. A bit of Rod Fanni, to be exact.
It's in the Times apparently. He's a right-back who plays for Rennes.
Reply to Luke_M:
I hadn't quite woken up... but I have now!
Scharner would be a good squad player, i'd be happy to see him join and boost the numbers. Don't want N'Zogbia or Johnson. There are rumours that they're both clowns and we got where we are with a hard-working, tight-knit squad. Don't need idiots disrupting that and influencing our young tallent.
I think we should look at Huddleston and Lennon from Spurs and Ebanks-Blake from Wolves. Young, english and tallented...today 4th tomorrow the world!
Reply to JonnyW:
Like the one you had that we were going to lose to Sunderland?
Scharner and Grandin arent English so we wont be getting them
I agree that Paul Scharner would be an excellent signing for Aston Villa, purely because of his natural versatility. He reminds me of John Gregory when he played for Villa, who played in every position for Aston Villa during his days in the Claret and Blue - except Goalkeeper. Very few can say that nowadays. All you hear is "I'm not being played in my best position" - for goodness sake grow up and be thankful you are getting paid thousands of pounds a week while we all wonder if we are going to have a job come the end of February.
Paul Scharner would be a welcome addition.... id play him at LB and move L.Young back to RB wid Cuellar and Davies in the middle...
As for Grandin i cant comment because i dont know much about him..
i would really like to see N'Zogbia because he has the ability to play LB which seems to be a trouble spot for us... also cover for Ashley Young on the left side of midfield..although his constant bitching does seem to be a problem
Johnson is not needed... we already have Barry, Petrov, Sidwell, Reo - Coker, Gardner and Osbourne who can all play CM...
As for Sturridge.. i would love to see him sign.. he has proved to be a more prolific striker at man city then the 19mill Jo.... he would provide brilliant cover for our rather strong lookin strike force until he is a little bit older and more developed
i personally think we should make a move for Micah Richards.. as he could play RB as well as CB...
Cuellar hasnt really impressed me all that much as of yet... i still think Luke Young is the signing of the summer...aside from Robinho he has been the most influential signing imo..
anyways good day to you all... UTV!
I read that Scharner has a £6M release clause so that increases our likelihood somewhat
On another tack, am I alone in being happy for Arsenal to sign Arshavin? My logic is two-fold:
1) The Russian season finished at the end of November so he's not going to be at peak match fitness and even then has to adjust to the Prem.
2) He's likely to be their only major midfield signing so therefore would keep them away from Arteta or someone with a higher risk of settling quickly.
Don't get me wrong, he looks a very good player but I'm thinking in terms of this season and us finishing in the Top 4. He'll be stronger for next year but we'll be able to strengthen then too. I say to them - Sign him up!
duh... lower risk / higher probability... you know what I mean
Damian, something you didnt mention in the post:
according to the infamous Tribal Football,
Scharners agent - Valentin Hobel said in the interview: "Aston Villa are interested in Paul. There is definitely something in it. The ball is in Villa's court."
Scharner would really be a great signing! Hes very strong and brave and im sure he would only get better with some of Laursen`s advice.Right now, he would be a great cover for defenders injured and then when they are fully fit, we would have a very intimidating
back four!
I cant wait for Wilfred Bouma to get back though.... it will be like a new signing!
UTV!!!
On Elliot Grandin,
i would love these rumors to be true. He looks like a real talent and i can really see him being something big in the future!
If he does the trial and gets the six month loan deal i think he will impress and then i wouldnt be surprised if MON signed him on a full deal!
Here is a video of him in action, this is a brilliant goal!
LINK
UTV!!!
There is another little rumor doing the rounds now!
It comes in the form of another Frenchman, Rod Fanni...
Heres the links:
Fans FC - LINK
and once again,
Tribal Football - LINK
If you didnt know, hes a French international and plays for Rennes.
Reply to TheMachine:
I would be happier if they dinn't get him to be honest. They would not be able to get Arteta from Everton unless they paid prob excess of £20m. Arshavin is a quality player who i feel will fit into their system nicely and probably add what they are missing at the moment which is that killer pass. If they don't get him i don't see them get anyone else so hopefully Zenit hold out for the £20m they are reported to be asking for him.
Not good at all if Carew leaves he puts the fear of God in defenses and has ben our best player in some of the early games. Hard to replace.
Was'nt he saying he wanted to end his career at villa though??
I dont really know where the talk of him leaving comes from..
Surely we would be better off going for a true Villan like Jolien Lescott?
Reply to ak_27:
ak_27
I do see where you're coming from... he'll suit them very well once settled, just hoping it takes a while for him to do that. You're right, though, he is a quality player.
Five Live reported on Monday morning that the agent for Grandin had said that he was on trial from Marseille, but I couldnt find anything else at the time. If this is true, its a bit more than just "speculation". Anyone know if this is true?
The wheels on the bus go round and round all day long.
Help!!!
Just lookin at the fixtures and assuming we beat the boys from Donny in the cup and have the joy of a trip up to Scouse-land, if that game is a draw then when will the replay be? We've got the UEFA on the next two Mid-Weeks and then a game against Man City the following Weds, before the FA Cup QF on the Sat!
My brain hurts just thinkin about it, but it's great to have the problem.
we'll sigh emm both tommrow