Re: Liverpool Thread
Degen isn't half bad. Remember Sina raving about him in 2006, before and during the world cup. He reckoned that Alves and Degen could both be world class right backs. Alves has obviously made the cut, but Degen has been stuck at a struggling Dortmund side, and been plagued with injures. Remember Rafa going after Alves in 2006, and look how he turned out.
Willing to give Degen a chance. He certainly has the tools, great pace, and technique. Just a case of being at the wrong club, maybe? Similar to the Mascherano and Torres situations, who both had great World Cups (like Degen), but were struggling at their respective club sides, until Rafa got them, and unlocked their potential. He probably thinks he could do the same with Degen.
And let's be honest, there arn't that many great right backs around anyways. Bosingwa is gone, Lahm's signed a new contract, and Alves is Barca bound and way beyond our price range. So Rafa probably thinks it's better to buy a right back in Degen, who's shown his potential at the biggest stage (the World Cup), but been stuck at the wrong club. Get him on a free, and he's anyways going to be an improvement over Finnan and Arbeloa (at least attacking wise). Supposed to have attitude problems, but Rafa's sorted those out with Pennant and Bellamy.
Seems a typical Rafa buy TBH. He was highly rated as a youngster, made the wrong choice in his career and degraded, and now Rafa thinks turn it around for him by giving him a chance when no one else will take the risk and unlock his potential. It's worked with Torres, Mascherano and Alonso.
And in any case, from what I have seen, or remember, he's a really athletic full back. Pace, power, pretty tall, and decent technique. And Rafa will no doubt add some defensive nous to his game, because that's something Rafa always does. Could turn out to be a decent buy, because he did look like a potential world beater at the World Cup.
Look at Skrtel. Unknown quantity, and turned out brilliant. Aurelio, came on a free, and when fit, has always been good. Looking forward to seeing what Degen can do. Rafa knows much more about him than me, and normally gets it right. And Sina does as well
Won't be too sad, if he and Dossena are our 2 full backs next season. Fits in with what we're building with the 4-2-3-1. We'll get 2 very attack minded full backs, with Mascherano covering them (which he'll do the whole day).
Now, for the wingers......
u cant ban me fool
