SPECULATE THIS!
That old junkie Sigmund Freud mused that when faced with something so unbearable that you just can’t accept it, people can go into a state known as denial. Less than 12 hours ago I thought Macherano was just having cell phone problems. Well, our want away midfielder has no more time for speculation, this one is the real deal orange peel. Roy Hodgson confirmed today, via the BBC, that talks with the recently returned Argentine haven’t gone as well as one would expect.
To speak plainly, he said he wants the fuck out1. Some might see this as a slap in the face but Roy, the sly old dog that he is, reminded the press that Liverpool and only Liverpool control his fate:
I think in every club throughout the world there are players playing in the team who would prefer to leave. Some are allowed to, some are not allowed to. Mascherano is a Liverpool player with two years on his contract. I expect him to be a Liverpool player until the day the club chooses to accept an offer for him.
Not that long ago, we had a little chat about who should replace Gerrard when that inevitable day comes and the general consensus as one Mr. Macherano. I guess my dream of seeing him scream at refs with an armband on2 at this point dead in the water but without Rafa at the helm, is Javier even the essential player that he used to be?
Re-united soon?
If you want to go on past formations and tactics, Hodgson prefers a 4-4-2 formation. I might not be a big fan of it3 but if it works for him, and works for us, then who’s going to complain? In an attack minded set up, where does the Monster Mach even fit in? In the 4-2-3-1 employed by Rafa, he was the crux of the operation. Retaining possession and getting the ball to those who can actually do something with it. If the much dreamt about Aquilani – Gerrard partnership actually works, do we need a defensive midfielder sitting in front of the back four? My answer is no.
Macherano looked best with Alonso beside him. The Argentine did the dirty work and the Spaniard made it beautiful. When this partnership came to a premature end, Lucas just couldn’t fill the gap4 and the possession game struggled to produce an end to the very needed mean. Lateral and back passes amount to nothing when you need to go forward so the £25mil apparently on the table is a tempting proposition for a player that might not even be needed come August.
-steven.
I think the hard-nosed attitude that Roy is taking might be for the cameras. I really don’t envision Mascherano in the lineup, but it is important to get as much money out of his transfer as possible. Showing that we are not eager to let him leave could lead to increased bids.
he’s not leaving without us turning a profit, i can guarantee that .. buy low, sell high .. GORDON GEKO FTW.