Author Topic: Players signed by Rafael Benitez  (Read 164354 times)

Offline BHB

  • I'm the (new) Daddy, and a little bit hormonal.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,892
  • SOS
Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« on: November 2, 2009, 09:27:52 am »
In order to try and dispell a few media fuelled myths that sections of our fanbase seem to have swollowed; here's the full list of players he's signed since he's been at the club (please read the summary below):
 
2004/05
 
£2m - Josemi: peanuts and was moved on in a swap for Kromkamp 18 months later
£1.5m - Antonio Nunez: part of the Michael Owen deal and filled a gap for a while. Peanuts.
£10.7m - Xabi Alonso: Massive success and sold for £30m+ in the summer when he wanted to leave
£6m - Luis Garcia: Massive success and sold to Atletico Madrid for £4m
Free - Pelligrino: Stop gap that allowed us to rest Sami for league games, benefitting us massively in Istanbul. Now on the coaching staff.
£6.3m - Fernando Morientes: Pretty much everyone made up when we signed him, top class, but never settled. Sold for £3m to Valencia.
£1m - Scott Carson: One the most highly rated young keepers around. Lost out through injury and signing of Reina when Dudek left the club. Sold for £3.25m.
 
Total bought: £27.5m
 
Free - Marcus Babbel: Released to Stuttgart at the end of his career.
£2.5m - Danny Murphy: Xabi Alonso signed to fill the role Murphy had in the side
£8.5m - Michael Owen: Wouldn't sign a new contract and sold before he left on a free. He's done nothing since that is a masterstroke with hindsight.
Free - Stephane Henchoz: Released to Celtic at the end of his career
 
Total sold: £11m
 
A total of £16.5m net spend in his first year at the club, with the vast majority of that being spent on Xabi Alonso.
 
2004/05 net spend: £16.5m
 
2005/06
 
£240,000 - Antonio Barragan: Kid for the future. Sold for £675,000 to Deportivo a year later.
Free - Boudewijn Zenden: Signed for nothing and released for nothing. Did a job for us.
£6m - Pepe Reina: In the top 3 or 4 keepers in the world now and still young. One of Rafa's best signings.
£5.6m - Momo Sissoko: Brilliant for a few years, had that eye injury and sold to Juventus when his form dipped for £8.2m. Replaced by Mascherano.
£7m - Peter Crouch: One signing I did question but proved to be a great bit of business. Turned him from a laughing stock into an international. Sold for £11m.
Unkown - Miki Roque: Kid bought for peanuts. Sold again for an unknown amount.
£150,000 - Jack Hobbs: Highly rated 16yr old signed from Lincoln. Didn't progress as hoped and sold to Leicester for a reported £1.5m, although figure not confirmed.
£190,000 Besian Idrizaj: No idea who he is
£1.5m - Mark Gonzales: Cheap player to provide back up for the left wing. Sold for £3.5m to Real Betis.
Exchange - Paul Anderson: Swapped for John Welsh. Sold for £250,000.
Exchange - Jan Kromkamp: Swapped for Josemi. Later sold for £1.75m
£5.8m - Daniel Agger: Blighted by injuries but potentially top class and great signing for the money.
£250,000 - David Martin: Young reserve keeper
Free - Robbie Fowler: Pay as you play deal and no risk involved. Scored a few goals. Released in the summer.
 
Total bought: £26.73
 
Free - Vladimir Smicer: Out of contract and released. Played a small part in Istanbul.
£3.5m - El Hadji Diouf: The best £3.5m Rafa has ever recieved.
Free - Pellegrino: Filled the gap in the last 5 months of the previous season, not good enough and released.
£2m - Alou Diarra: Sold for £2m. One of Houllier's buys.
£2m - Antonio Nunez: Bought for £1.5m and now sold for £2m when didn't work out.
£6.5m - Milan Baros: A Houllier signing sold at a profit. He's done nothing since.
Exchange - John Welsh: Swapped for Paul Anderson
Exchange - Josemi: Swapped for Kronkamp.
 
Total sold: £14m
 
2005/06 net spend: £12.73m
2006/07
 
£6m - Craig Bellamy: Good signing and later sold for £7.5m to fund Torres deal.
£2m - Gabriel Palletta: Played a few league cup games, not good enough and sold for £1.2m
Free - Fabio Aurelio: Very injury prone but a good player when fit. Great signing for nothing.
£6.7m - Jermaine Pennant: Second choice after missing out on Alves. Ran his contract down and released. Attitude stank.
£9m - Dirk Kuyt: Has his critics, but has been brilliant for the money. 15 goals last season from wide and vital to the way we play. Ultimate pro. Great signing.
£200,000 - Nabil El Zhar: Few cameos last season and improving. Injured now. Promising still. Peanuts.
£750,000 - Astrit Ajdarevic: No idea who he is, and released on a free to Leicester.
Loan - Daniele Padelli: Reserve keeper, made one appearance and never seen again.
Undisclosed - Jordy Brouwer: Young reserve.
£2.5m - Alvaro Arbeloa: Bargain signing, great service for a few years and sold for £3.5m when running his contract down.
Loan - Javier Mascherano: Rescued from West Ham, now one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and will probably be sold to Barca this summer for a massive profit. Paid £18.6m for him a year later at end of loan deal.
 
Total bought: £27.15m
 
£200,000 - Zak Whitbread: Youngster
Undisclosed - Bruno Cheyrou: Houllier flopped, sold for a reported £1.5m.
£3m - Fernando Morientes: Didn't work out. Cut his losses.
Free - Didi Hamann: Great servant, released at the end of his career
£675,000 - Antonio Barragan: Paid £240,000 for him.
£2m - Djimi Traore: Houllier signing and daylight robbery getting £2m for him
£500,000 - Neil Mellor: Signed as a kid and did a job for a while. Not good enough and released.
£1.75m - Jan Kromkamp: Nunez bought for £2m, swapped for him, who then sold for £1.75m. Stop gaps at minimal expense.
£525,000 - Darren Potter: Acadamy lad, not good enough and robbery getting that much for him.
£1.5m - Steven Warnock: Probably sold to cheap and looks a mistake with hindsight. Good squad player.
Free - Salif Diao: The clearout of Houllier's flops continues.
 
Total sold: £10.15m
 
2006/07 net spend: £17m
 
2007/08
 
 
£5m - Lucas Leiva: Brazilian player of the year when signed. Could still go either way but a lot to prove.
Undisclosed - Krisztian Nemeth: Promising youngster currently out on loan in Athens.
£270,000 - Mikel San Jose Dominguez: Youngester plays in the reserves.
£1.8m - Sebastian Leto: Left winger signing but refused a work permit. Sold for £3m.
£20.2m - Fernando Torres: Bargain of the century
Free - Andriy Voronin: Free transfer to strengthen the squad. Plays well in Germany, garbage over here.
£5m - Yossi Benayoun: Took a while to settle but now a key player. Superb signing and an absolute bargain.
£11.5m - Ryan Babel: Highly rated dutch international. Absolute waste of space. Bad signing on reflection, but nobody knew how he'd turn out. Still got potential but he can't be arsed.
Undisclosed - Charles Itandje: Back up keeper signed for peanuts. Now released.
£1.3m - Emiliano Insua: Youngster who is now a full Argentinian international and massive potential. Bargain.
£6.5m - Martin Skrtel: Been off form this season so far, but brilliant last year and a good signing for the money.
£18.6m - Javier Mascherano: Completion of loan deal

Total bought: £70.7m

£2.7m – Florent Simana-Pongolle: Houllier youngster sold wanting first team football.
£100,000 – Daniel O’Donnell: Kid sold
Free – Jerzy Dudek: Released at end of contract
Free - Zenden: Released at end of contract
Free – Robbie Fowler: Released at end of contract
£4m – Luis Garcia: Wanted to return to Spain. Great service.
£6m – Djibril Cisse: Houllier signing sold to part fund Torres deal.
£7.5m – Craig Bellamy: Sold at profit to part fund Torres deal
£3.5m – Mark Gonzales: Signed for £1.5m and sold when didn’t work out.
£1.2m – Gabriel Palletta: Bought for £2m but never worked out. Young defender.
£3.5m – Chris Kirkland: Houllier signing. Injury prone and wanted first team football.
£8.2m – Momo Sissoko: Great signing, good service, sold when lost his form at a profit.

Total sold: £36.7m

2007/08 net spend: £34m

2008/09

Free – Philip Degen: Garbage, but free.
£7m - Andrea Dossena: Italian international left back. Hasn’t settled. Bad signing.
£3.5m – Diego Cavalieri: Reserve keeper. Only played league cup games so far.
£1.5m – David N’gog: Young French striker. Promising.
£19m – Robbie Keane: Everyone made up when we signed him. Didn’t work out and sold back to Spurs for £16m.
£8m - Albert Riera: Spanish international. Started well but jury still out.

Total bought: £39m

£4m – John Arne Riise: Good servant but form tailed off. Snapped their hands off at £4m.
Free – Harry Kewell: Harry who?
Undisclosed – Anthony Le Tallec: Houllier youngster finally released. Fee not known.
£11m – Peter Crouch: Laughing stock bought for £7m. Great signing. Wanted first team football.
£2.25m – Danny Guthrie: Youngster from Acadamy thought not good enough.
£3.25m – Scott Carson: Injury prone and Reina now first choice. Sold at profit.
Undisclosed – Steve Finnan: Sold for a fee believed to be £1m
£16m – Robbie Keane: Didn’t work out.
Undisclosed – Jack Hobbs: Young defender that didn’t progress. Sold for believed to £1.5m.

Total sold: £36.5m

2008/09 net spend: £2.5m


2009/10

£17.5m – Glen Johnson: Big fee, but has been brilliant so far.
£17.1m - Alberto Aquilani: Injured so far but meant to be a class act. Highly rated in Italy.
£2m – Sotirios Kyrgiakos: Last minute signing to fill Hyypia’s shoes. Only money we had to spend.
£160,000 – Daniel Ayala: Young defender, played a few times this season and looked promising.

Total bought: £36.76m

£250,000 – Paul Anderson: Youngster that didn’t progess.
Free – Jermaine Pennant: Out of contract. Poor signing.
Free – Miki Roque: No idea who he is. Bought for peanuts.
£3m – Sebastian Leto: Signed for £1.8m but didn’t get a work permit. Had to sell.
£3.5m – Alvaro Arbeloa: Wanted to leave and out of contract in the summer.
£30m – Xabi Alonso: Wanted to leave. Bought for £10.7m. Great signing.

Total sold: £36.75m

2009/10 net spend: £10,000


Total Players Bought: £228,976,000
Total Players Sold: £145,100,000

Total Net Spend: £83,876,000


So, that’s a total spend of just over £83m in 5 years at the club. An average of £16.6m a year.

The vast majority of his signings have been sold at profit, or if still at the club, are worth a lot more than we paid for them. Exceptions being Babel and Dossena, but we’ll still get decent fees for them when sold as they’re full internationals.

A lot of the signings above have been stepping stones in rebuilding the squad, gradually improving it by replacing players with better ones. Our league positions over the past 5 years and the improvement in our league positions and points totals show the progression.

2004/05: Finished 5th – 58 pts
2005/06: Finished 3rd – 82 pts
2006/07: Finished 3rd – 68 pts
2007/08: Finished 4th – 76 pts
2008/09: Finished 2nd – 86 pts

Is it any coincidence that the progression seems to have stopped this summer? Look at the transfer activity above for this year and it might explain why.

We have a wage bill that is the 5th highest in the league. We can’t afford to pay players £70,000 to be sat on the bench like United and Chelsea can.

Rafa Benitez’ record with signings at the top end of the market is nothing short of brilliant. Robbie Keane being the only flop, but he was sold 6 months later and only a small financial hit taken on that mistake. Rick Parry agreed the fee for buying him in the first place, and common knowledge Rafa wasn’t happy with it; feeling it was far too high.

Where has this myth come from that he’s wasted money on shite players? Have a look through the lists above and try to point them out. There isn’t many.

The ones that haven’t worked out he’s moved on, and not very often has he made a financial loss on them.

The squad is now worth a hell of a lot more than the one he inherited, and that £83m net spend over 5 years is easily offset by the increased value of the squad. He’d recoup nearly all of that through the sale of Torres alone!

He’s worked absolute wonders with the money he’s had to spend. Then take into account the massive amounts of money he’s self generated by reaching the latter stages of the CL every season. Two final appearances, one win. That £83m he’s spent he’s earned the right to spend.

And when comparing it to what United have spent in the same period is flawed, as they already had a title winning squad and all the foundations in place. They weren’t rebuilding from scratch like we were. It also doesn’t take into account their massive wage bill.

When comparing to Chelsea, they spent all their money before Rafa came to the club and just topping up an already established squad.

Man City have spent more than double in the past 12 months than Rafa Benitez has in his 5 year reign.

Do some people still want to get rid of him? If so, you’ve been listening to Martin Tyler's Monkey and the hairy-handed halfwit for too much and unable to look at the facts yourself to form an opinion.

Every manager makes tactical mistakes. Every manager makes mistakes in the transfer market. Despite what the press seem to think; Rafael Benitez appears to make less mistakes than most.

We’re expected to win the league and European Cup on a budget and wage bill that is entitled to finish 4th or 5th in the league. We’ve been overachieving under Rafael Benitez, not underachieving.

I’m not even going to mention the environment he’s working in under them two clowns.

You’ll only miss him when he’s gone….



« Last Edit: November 3, 2009, 09:05:55 am by BHB »
A Son of Shankly

Offline Trada

  • Fully paid up member of the JC cult. Ex-Tory boy. Corbyn's Chief Hagiographer. Sometimes hasn't got a kloop.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 22,800
  • Trada
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #1 on: November 2, 2009, 09:31:44 am »
Now here is a post that "Sums it up nicely, without making it too complicated"

Great post. :thumbup :wellin

Don't blame me I voted for Jeremy Corbyn!!

Miss you Tracy more and more every day xxx

“I carry them with me: what they would have thought and said and done. Make them a part of who I am. So even though they’re gone from the world they’re never gone from me.

Offline RedinExile

  • credulous ingratiating simpleton
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,385
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #2 on: November 2, 2009, 09:34:34 am »
Should be essential reading for every Red (though why they should need it pointing out God only knows)
There are always more fortresses to torch.

Offline Niru Red4ever

  • Spoiler spoiler
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,877
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #3 on: November 2, 2009, 09:36:13 am »

You’ll only miss him when he’s gone….

The question doesn't arise.
Rafa is going nowhere :scarf :scarf
Would love the 19th more and more trophies; but would love even more to see a fan owned LFC.

Offline YorkieRed9

  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 135
  • Pain is a weakness escaping the body Y.N.W.A
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #4 on: November 2, 2009, 09:36:46 am »
Very good post  :wellin

Offline jaffod

  • Living a double life as Billy Bunter after midnight. Has until July 3rd to figure out what from his womans clothing range to wear.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 20,566
  • Common beermat and towel thief.
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #5 on: November 2, 2009, 09:38:04 am »
Great post.

Offline The G in Gerrard

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 45,048
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #6 on: November 2, 2009, 09:45:48 am »
3 pts from winning league last year and net spend was 10 fucking grand... not even a tenth of the weekly earnings of Ronaldo or Terry etc etc.... just vexes you even more...

Offline Fazakerley Red

  • No longer angry :)
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,327
  • Fazakerley Red
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #7 on: November 2, 2009, 09:46:19 am »
very good great research , but i wish people would stop this how much he has brought back in nonsense , its what he has spent and brought in playing ability is the real question , plus there are loads of young players you have not put in there IE chris mavinga for 1-2 million pounds paid plus others , plus the pay off to back room staff last summer to bring in his staff on big contracts , plus his own deal all part of the clubs budget and his budget as he is in charge of everything now .
« Last Edit: November 2, 2009, 04:23:19 pm by Barney_Rubble »

Offline Norway_is_red

  • Violets_are_blue
  • Anny Roader
  • ****
  • Posts: 296
  • No, those are not my pair of titties!
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #8 on: November 2, 2009, 09:46:45 am »
Why can you, "some poster on an internet forum" work it out like this, and see it as it is. While the big effin majority of the press not see that, and cut Rafa some slack, or at least don't make up stories, and tell lies.

Bunch of c*nts, the press.

Good post!
“Seeing these smiling faces is the greatest pleasure. They have been magnificent all season. They have been our 12th man. I have always said our fans are the best in England. Now I know they are the best in Europe too.” In Rafa I trust.

Offline Promised to never post on RAWK again

  • Might be Estonian_Red, but I wouldn't trust a word he says. In fact don't trust anything anyone says... EVER.
  • No new LFC topics
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 8,318
  • Where Amazing Happens
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #9 on: November 2, 2009, 09:48:51 am »

Apart from some (marginally) inaccurate numbers, great post.  :thumbup
The internet is a bad place - People like Mac Red are on it.

Offline caspersmasters

  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 120
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #10 on: November 2, 2009, 09:55:47 am »
Great post. This would be even more interesting done for all the top clubs as a comparison, just to see where we differ.

Offline JanMolby05

  • Anny Roader
  • ****
  • Posts: 422
  • is right
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #11 on: November 2, 2009, 09:56:11 am »
Good post mate,


compulsory reading for all the fucking whoppers.
"If my assistant referee had not signalled a goal, I would have given a penalty and sent off keeper Petr Cech."

Offline LFCfan4Life

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 9,142
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #12 on: November 2, 2009, 09:58:10 am »
the press don't give a shit that he had to replace 30 players from the houllier era

they dont give a shit that about 30 of those 70 signings were for the youth/reserves

they don't give a shit that the net spend is only 80m

they don't give a shit that our squad has the fifth highest wages(maybe sixth because Arsenals wage bill might be higher) or the fifth highest squad cost

Wish someone like Toney Barrett would stick this in the mail http://tomkinstimes.com/2009/10/fao-open-minded-football-journalists/ but doubt his editors would give a shit about dispelling any of the bollocks. Tomkins added up the cost of every player still at the clubs in the league and

Man City - £270m
Chelsea - £240m
Man Utd - £219m
Spurs - £202m
Liverpool - £159m
Arsenal - £90m(but them players like merida are noted as free but they have to pay barca £3.2m for him and im sure fabregas cost them a few million compo but well worth it)

Im sure Sunderland are knocking on our door as well

Reading the bile these hacks are throwing benitez's way is disgusting like they even care what happens at OUR club - its up to us supporters to decide if we feel the Manager has taken us as far as we can not those headline hunting c*nts.
Two bulls, one old and one young, standing at the top of a field watching a herd of cows. The young one says, "hey let's run down and fuck one of them", and the older one says, "patience, let's walk down and fuck them all".

* * * * *
JUSTICE 4 THE 96.

Offline carling

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 7,502
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #13 on: November 2, 2009, 10:07:29 am »


Fuck me that is up there with the best posts I've ever read on here.

Top stuff mate.

Offline Classic goal

  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 628
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #14 on: November 2, 2009, 10:21:40 am »
We're completely fucked if Rafa is sacked.

The argument about his gross spend only counting is a nonsense. It completely ignores the fact that he has had to buy players, normally sell them at a profit and then buy a better player with the proceeds. It's an incremental squad build. The fact he's brought in nigh on £100m in champions league revenue yet the net transfer spend is £83m is laughable. With years of 'working' with Parry and then the yanks we still expect a flawless record. Sorry but if he goes we'll start to see pretty quickly just how well his replacement copes.

I accept he's made mistakes in the transfer market, but show me a manager who hasn't. The majority have been successes and/or moved on for profit. We have to be prepared for mistakes because quite frankly you're deluded if you think a manager doesn't or shouldn't make them. Whether you're for or against the manager.

Also the press will go with whatever sells and Liverpool in crisis does that. Look at what joe public has written at the bottom of these 'articles'. They are lapping it up. It's bread and circuses. The press don't have to do much critical analysis because any old shit will do.
« Last Edit: November 2, 2009, 10:25:24 am by Classic goal »

Offline alex.

  • "Bring out The Blimp!"
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,896
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #15 on: November 2, 2009, 10:30:15 am »
Well in BHB!

Offline The Nihilists

  • Bovvered
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,838
  • I will cut off your Johnson
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #16 on: November 2, 2009, 10:32:33 am »
very good great research , but i wish people would stop this how much he has brought back in nonsense , its what he has spent and brought in playing ability is the real question


You know nothing.

He could not have bought Torres had he sold other players first.

He could not have bought Mascherano had he not bought and sold Sissoko for a profit.

Engage your brain before you call something nonsense.

Offline The 5th Benitle

  • Mitch Fenner and Gerry Francis' biggest fan. Karaoke James - The Sausagefest Superhero. A soldier not a Capo di tutti capi. Clapham Stalker. RAWK X Factor Winner 2011. The poor man's Sarge!
  • RAWK Staff
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 45,307
  • Read, then post...
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #17 on: November 2, 2009, 10:33:48 am »
But BHB, what you have posted contradicts the notion that Rafa hasn't signed any decent players under £10m! You must be wrong, as it was no less than Alan Hansen who said that  ;)
 
Good stuff. It's very sad that our fans, as you say quite rightly, swallow ill-researched and agenda-driven codswallop peddled by the media.

Offline The Nihilists

  • Bovvered
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,838
  • I will cut off your Johnson
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #18 on: November 2, 2009, 10:34:51 am »
Full breakdown of all the major current squads here by Tomkins, makes for eye-opening reading

http://tomkinstimes.com/2009/10/fao-open-minded-football-journalists/

Also mentions wages.

Why do people expect quality on the bench when we can't afford to buy top players and can't afford their wages.

Offline G a r y

  • Sexist Pig. Wants to mate with Dan Bilzerian
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,866
  • Kop 306
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #19 on: November 2, 2009, 10:36:23 am »
You’ll only miss him when he’s gone….
Nail on the fucking head

Offline Niru Red4ever

  • Spoiler spoiler
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,877
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #20 on: November 2, 2009, 10:39:17 am »
Why do people expect quality on the bench when we can't afford to buy top players and can't afford their wages.

We actually seem to be punching above our weights.

btw, I am one of those who expect quality; can't help it.
In a few years we will have it, with loads of promising young players coming through.
Would love the 19th more and more trophies; but would love even more to see a fan owned LFC.

Offline Thomas

  • Doubting
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,392
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #21 on: November 2, 2009, 10:40:56 am »
There are some names in there that have gone, either because they didnt "settle" or Rafa didn't like, call it what you will, that i'd much prefer to still see in a Liverpool shirt ahead of Voronin/Babel/Ngog. Maybe I'm speaking out of turn.
« Last Edit: November 2, 2009, 10:42:33 am by Thomas »
We're the kings of Europe, the pride of Merseyside, we'll fight for no surrender, we'll fight for Shankly's pride.

Offline stevied

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,548
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #22 on: November 2, 2009, 10:42:35 am »
Great post BHB welcome back where ya been all this time
i can tip em but cant back em

RAWK Aintree tipping champ 2013

Offline R.A.La

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,886
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #23 on: November 2, 2009, 10:43:05 am »
very good great research , but i wish people would stop this how much he has brought back in nonsense , its what he has spent and brought in playing ability is the real question , plus there are loads of young players you have not put in there IE chris mavinga for 1-2 million pounds paid plus others , plus the pay off to back room staff last summer to bring in his staff on big contracts , plus his own deal all part of the clubs budget and his budget as he is in charge of everything now .

So we have to include pay offs and salary increases in the figures?

You are Purslow and I claim my £5. :D
those people were scared off by the distress chatter and the organised internet terrorism campaign that was directed against people involved.

Offline Istanbul Therapy Group

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,530
  • You'll hear our famous noise
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #24 on: November 2, 2009, 10:44:20 am »
There are some names in there that have gone, either because they didnt "settle" or Rafa didn't like, call it what you will, that i'd much prefer to still see in a Liverpool shirt ahead of Voronin/Babel/Ngog. Maybe I'm speaking out of turn.

I dont think your speaking out of turn, just maybe not understanding that players had to be sold for others to come in, bellamy being a prime example to get torres, Crouch to get keane etc..
He never shows mercy, he would put 6 past your sons school team.

Offline TheReturnof7heKing

  • Anny Roader
  • ****
  • Posts: 263
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #25 on: November 2, 2009, 10:45:03 am »
Fuck me.  That was outstanding.  That's getting fuckin printed out and kept with me at all times so that when some fuckin half-wit, fair-weather 'supporter' starts mouthing off I have the proper facts at hand.  Great work.
SoS Membership Number:  4280
----------------------------------------

Thanks for everything Rafa

Offline xabi rules

  • out winning title with Liverpool
  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 963
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #26 on: November 2, 2009, 10:46:15 am »
very good great research , but i wish people would stop this how much he has brought back in nonsense

Why do you object. It's perfectly valid. For instance people talk about the waste on Dossena but when you consider that Rafa has spent about £8.3 million on the position and has two excellent players (plus Dossena) for that money it looks reasonable. When you happen to point out, that he also sold three for about £7.5 million, then a truer picture of the financial constraints become obvious and his achievement can be more objectively measured

its what he has spent and brought in playing ability is the real question , plus there are loads of young players you have not put in there IE chris mavinga for 1-2 million pounds paid plus others

The question is: where are you getting your figures? I haven't seen a fee quoted for Mavinga yet (apart from your guess) and the 'plus others' is not particularly enlightening.

plus the pay off to back room staff last summer to bring in his staff on big contracts

Wages for backroom staff are not part of the oft-quoted 'enough money' Rafa has had.

plus his own deal all part of the clubs budget and his budget as he is in charge of everything now .

The 'now' is the more salient point, as in: since the summer he's in charge of everything. If the boss felt changes were needed then changes had to be made. He will be judged on results, hopefully over the longer term of his five year contract not on the first three months of his new vision.
« Last Edit: November 2, 2009, 10:49:24 am by xabi rules »
'' I'd like to think that I have put more into the game than I have taken out. And that I haven‘t cheated anybody, that I've been working for people honestly all along the line, for the people of Liverpool who go to Anfield. I'd like to be recognised for trying to give them entertainment.''

The great Bill Shankly

Offline sirjames

  • The Manly Eunuch
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,772
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #27 on: November 2, 2009, 10:46:53 am »
great post.

regards to our spend and uniteds... united had a better squad than us 5 years ago and have spent more.
If we win, its normal because were Liverpool Football Club
Rafa  25/1/05

Offline Thomas

  • Doubting
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,392
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #28 on: November 2, 2009, 10:49:13 am »
Crouch to get keane etc..

yeh I understand that to a certain extent with certain deals, but i'd have Crouch or Keane over Voronin/Babel, to which we have neither
We're the kings of Europe, the pride of Merseyside, we'll fight for no surrender, we'll fight for Shankly's pride.

Offline The Nihilists

  • Bovvered
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,838
  • I will cut off your Johnson
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #29 on: November 2, 2009, 10:53:21 am »
yeh I understand that to a certain extent with certain deals, but i'd have Crouch or Keane over Voronin/Babel, to which we have neither


Crouch wanted first team football!

We could afford to offer him outrageous wages to stay!

Rafa would rather have Crouch, but he hasn't got him.

And when Rafa sold Keane, he assumed that he'd get the money to spend. He hasn't.

Offline mayday

  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 551
  • Keep the faith
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #30 on: November 2, 2009, 10:54:06 am »
Great post, thanks for that
In Brendan We Trust

Offline SP

  • Thor ain't got shit on this dude! Alpheus. SPoogle. The Equusfluminis Of RAWK. Straight in at the deep end with a tube of Vagisil. Needs to get a half-life. Needs a damned good de-frag.
  • RAWK Staff.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 36,042
  • .
  • Super Title: Southern Pansy
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #31 on: November 2, 2009, 10:54:10 am »
There are some names in there that have gone, either because they didnt "settle" or Rafa didn't like, call it what you will, that i'd much prefer to still see in a Liverpool shirt than Voronin/Babel/Ngog. Maybe I'm speaking out of turn.

The ones I would like to still be here generally left because they wanted to. I would rather have Crouch on the bench as the game changer than Babel. But he wanted to leave, rather than be the perennial 2nd choice to Torres. But the 3 players that you name there are here because of the financial constraints of the club. Voronin was a free. He is the experienced backup striker who is prepared to accept bench time. If the club was more solvent, we would have a more expensive player in that role, but he is the compromise made to free funds up elsewhere. He is also an international player - Shevchenko's strike partner for a nation that rose as high as 11th in the FIFA rankings. For a cheap stocking filler, he has pedigree. N'gog is a £1.5M striker. At that price he was cheap - (a quarter of a Frazier Campbell for instance). But again it is budget compromising the squad fillers. Because money is tight Rafa has to gamble on prospects to unearth that world class talent. Which is where Babel comes in. Babel has all the tools to be a frighteningly good player. He has pace and trickery, but is unfortunately has a bit suspect temperament. If we had more money, we would not have signed Babel. Rafa gambled on being able to fix him. He looked like he was succeeding in the first season too. 

Offline The 5th Benitle

  • Mitch Fenner and Gerry Francis' biggest fan. Karaoke James - The Sausagefest Superhero. A soldier not a Capo di tutti capi. Clapham Stalker. RAWK X Factor Winner 2011. The poor man's Sarge!
  • RAWK Staff
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 45,307
  • Read, then post...
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #32 on: November 2, 2009, 10:54:28 am »
yeh I understand that to a certain extent with certain deals, but i'd have Crouch or Keane over Voronin/Babel, to which we have neither
So would I to be honest, but there isn't much you can do when a player comes in and doesn't fit in, with a complete unwillingness to adapt. What do you do? Sell him asap. Was the money recouped available to Rafa to buy a replacement up front though? Was it fuck, and that my friend is the problem we have.

Offline Classic goal

  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 628
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #33 on: November 2, 2009, 10:56:38 am »
yeh I understand that to a certain extent with certain deals, but i'd have Crouch or Keane over Voronin/Babel, to which we have neither

I'd have Crouch. But then that ignores the circumstances. He'd rather play first team football at Portsmouth than play as Torres' backup. That's his decision. Benitez also hinted we couldn't afford extra wages as a sweetner as he wouldn't be first choice.

Keane quite simply no I wouldn't have him. This time last year we were the Robbie Keane side show, everything from the media was Robbie Keane this, Robbie Keane that. We scored more goals after he was sold last season.

Babel's been a complete and utter failure. Rafa took the risk and has been burned by it. I'd wager we'd have sold him in the summer if it hadn't become apparent the owners were robbing money from the club to clear part of the debt.


Offline Obviously

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,396
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #34 on: November 2, 2009, 10:57:43 am »
Great post! You should read up on things like this before you criticise the job that Rafa has done. The last 2 summers have been ridiculous.

One thing you should also think about is the value of todays squad compared to what he got when he came here. Almost every player little value. Nobody wanted our players, Gerrard and Owen where the only ones. 


Online stoa

  • way. Daydream. Quite partial to a good plonking.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 16,359
  • Five+One Times, Baby...
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #35 on: November 2, 2009, 10:58:05 am »
Very good research, but I'm afraid it won't change anything. Those kind of lists appear on here every couple of months and Tomkins has been pointing it out loads of times mentioning in his articles how Rafa hasn't had that much money to spend and that most of it has been spent wisely. And still you have the media spouting their bollocks. But more importantly you still have people who say they support this club spout the same drivel and claim that Rafa can't spot talent, had loads of money to spend just like Chelsea or the Mancs or say how he failed to develop talented youngsters unlike Wenger.

This should be compulsory reading for everyone on here, but those people who will acknowledge it, will already have known it, and the idiots calling for Rafa's head or saying that they want him to stay, but are "concerned" about his failures in the transfer-market will continue with their shite even after reading the FACTS.

Offline FiveStarKopite

  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 64
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #36 on: November 2, 2009, 11:01:02 am »
Excellent post, might print it out and just produce it to shut people up when they start shiteing on about Rafa's transfers.
This time it's for keeps

Offline crontonred

  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 143
  • A cup of tea would have been nice.
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #37 on: November 2, 2009, 11:02:27 am »
Well researched, although I disagree with your assumption that we'll get decent money back for Babel and Dossena. I doubt we will recoup half of what we paid for them and to be frank if someone offered 3 mil for Doss and 5 mil for Babel I'd bite their fucking hands off!

Offline Classic goal

  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 628
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #38 on: November 2, 2009, 11:03:35 am »
Well researched, although I disagree with your assumption that we'll get decent money back for Babel and Dossena. I doubt we will recoup half of what we paid for them and to be frank if someone offered 3 mil for Doss and 5 mil for Babel I'd bite their fucking hands off!

What's the point though, we wouldn't be allowed to spend it.

Offline Mark Walters

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,482
  • * * * * * *
Re: Players signed by Rafael Benitez
« Reply #39 on: November 2, 2009, 11:04:25 am »
We should all spam all of the major media companies with emails of this list.  I'm sure word would quickly spread!
"Maybe in life it's impossible to give 100 per cent to your job. Okay, I'll accept 98 per cent" Rafa Benitez