AS OUR increasingly-stretched squad puff and wheeze to the finish line with very little left in their legs, thoughts naturally turn to the summer.
So although the season still has a crucial clutch of games yet to play, I’m wondering who we should try and bring in.
With that in mind, and little else to blog about besides the ongoing form-dip which I’m loathe to criticise because of an otherwise great season, here’s my list so far;
(N.B. This could all be academic if we don't finish fifth and Moyes gets a budget of about £8m.)
JOE LEDLEY: Yes, I know he’s flavour of the month on the back of one goal in the semi-final against Barnsley, but the 21-year-old Cardiff midfielder looks promising. Championship fans have been tipping him for a while, and he has youth and versatility on his side, with an eye for goal. Now for the cliche - Moyes, Cahill, Lescott, championship, bargain, great eye for (re-arrange as you will).
LUCHO GONZALEZ: With the match-fixing scandal over their heads and heavy fines looming, Porto may be set for one of their occasional fire-sales. Free-scoring Lucho will be first off the shelf - wouldn’t it be amazing if it was destination Goodison. File under stupidly optimistic.
WES BROWN: Increased competition at right-back, with players who can get forward and pass well, would be nice. Brown could be let go by the Mancs and is ridiculously experienced for a relatively young player. He would also keep Yobo and Lescott on their toes infinitely more than Anthony Gardener.
STEWART DOWNING: Feed the Yak and he will score? This Teesider will definitely do that, and we’re crying out for a pacy, proper left-winger. Downing was heavily linked with us in January and although his delivery can sometimes be 50/50, he has a useful habit of popping up with goals (Boro’s top scorer) and always seems to be making things happen.
KIM KALLSTROM: OK his supposed desire to join the blues was nothing more than a bemused and polite answer to a leading question, but there is no doubting the 24-year-old Lyon player’s class. Tipped to shine during Euro 08 he is another classy midfielder who would add to our talent pool.
MATHIEU VALBUENA: The little French midfielder caught the eye with the winner when Marseilles stunned Liverpool with a 0-1 win at Anfield earlier this season. He is highly rated at Stade Velodrome and, while some grocks are our priority, if the Pienaar move goes west he may be worth a go.
EFRAIN JUAREZ VALDEZ: Barca’s Mexican starlet has been compared to Cesc Fabregas which is obviously praise indeed. And he could have to quit Camp Nou after a contract dispute which has already seen him linked with the blues.
As with Fabregas, he may decided that ‘highly-rated’ is rarely going to be enough to get you a game for Barca and it would be a real coup if Moyes could persuade him that his future lies with us.
LORIK CANA: Nicknamed ‘The Beast’ thee seems little doubt that the big Albanian would add much needed muscle and stature to the blues midfield. But the all-action Marseilles captain has also allegedly caught the attention of Arsenal, AC Milan and Real Madrid so this might have to be a bid and hope.
WHO do you reckon the blues should go for? Leave a comment and let me now.
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Bobby Darvo wrote...
How about that Bradley cat who plays for the USA.From the gossip looks like we're after him and he's a box to box midfielder type we're crying out for.
Posted by: Bobby Darvo | April 16, 2008 10:35 AM