L'Equippe's PSG reporter Jerome Touboul talking to the MEN"Gabriel has earned himself the reputation as the hardest defender in France and most of his opponents will say that is justified. When it comes to personal duels Heinze wins them all. But although he is very combative and hard his challenges are fair. No player from opposition teams has been seriously injured because of Heinze. There are other hard players in the French League but their opponents have sometimes been put out of the game for a long period. But not with Gabriel. He'll win the battles and he's very combative and physically uncompromising but he doesn't go out to hurt players. You might find him missing a few matches per season because of suspension but considering the job he does he won't be missing often. Referees seem to accept that he's aggressive but fair. Not only that he's an intelligent player and is very clever with the referees so hasn't picked up as many cards as you would expect from the kind of player he is. Physically I think he is made for the Premiership. It's a very tough league but Heinze won't be bothered about that. Physically he won't have any problems in England. United fans will like him. Sir Alex Ferguson will be able to count on him being up for selection virtually every match throughout the season because, while he is tough, he doesn't get hurt himself either. I don't recall him missing a game for Paris St Germain because of injury since he joined the club from Real Valladolid in 2001. He was always fit and because of the way he plays, I think his record was fantastic. Gabriel has incredible energy. Whatever Sir Alex Ferguson decides is his position he will get a player with a tough Argentine defensive mentality and one who won't let him down and is bound to strengthen any team he plays for."
Sounds good, so thats a tough nut to compliment the classy french player Fergie is about to sign...
"We were close to finding an agreement with Manchester. Our officials met Franco Baldini, Roma's sport director, but we didn't reach an agreement. The Italian offer is too weak, between 7 and 8million euros. Roma want Philippe but they have to give an acceptable price. When you sell Walter Samuel for more than 24million euros to Real Madrid, you can make a decent effort for the young Mexes! I feel the Romans haven't got so much money. Our first hope is to let the player go where he wants. However, the club must not be damaged. Mexes still has two years left on his contract with us."
Still not sure on this, It was his agent who refused on the players behalf but we know that could be a crock of shite, apparently he wants to be guarenteed a 1st team place but at 22 he's gonna have to earn that anywhere he goes, with Rio out till at least Sept he could cement a pplace in the team no probs.
The mad thing is that Fergie could get both players for half the price he paid for Rio, or should I say what Kenyon paid for Rio.
Our defense is gonna be sorted for the next decade at this rate.
