Topic: Xabi Alonso

[Gerry Attrick]

Dial picked ahead of him, hard to imagine that ever seeming like a sensible decision!

Remember that 2-2 with Spurs from the 04/05 season?  There was a compilation video knocking around that was incredible. Easily ten or more passes that made you stand and applaud.

Is there anyone from the Istanbul squad still playing? Scott Carson at a guess.

Baros is still playing. He plays for Slovan Liberec now.

[jooneyisdagod]

Likes Belle & Sebastian apparently. Just when I thought I couldn't admire the suave fucker anymore, he goes and does that. Truly a statesman of the game. He's got the kind of intellectual vibe that is far more associated with a sport like cricket than it is with football. Hopefully, he stays involved with the game, because football could do with more of his type.

[Alf]

Dial picked ahead of him, hard to imagine that ever seeming like a sensible decision!

Remember that 2-2 with Spurs from the 04/05 season?  There was a compilation video knocking around that was incredible. Easily ten or more passes that made you stand and applaud.

Is there anyone from the Istanbul squad still playing? Scott Carson at a guess.

Not bad considering he'd only returned from injury at Juventus 3 nights before.

[Advil]

I wish that Gerrard had a long career like Xabi and retired at the top. Gerrard could have been a wonderful player for Sevilla, Inter/Juventus or Leverkusen and carried on playing at top European Level. Did not understand him going to MLS.

Anyway back to Xabi, it will be nice if he goes out with another Champions League title at the end of the season.

[Crosby Nick]

i was in prague in november and was told Milan Baros is still knocking about, but a much lower level than Liverpool obviously. Is Cisse still playing?  didnt Van Der Meyde elbow Alonso to get red carded that day?

Xabi's last season he was the victim of a few red card tackles. Vidic and Lampard to name two. im sure there was about 5 though.

He wasnt afraid to get hurt. he missed a lot of his first season with  broken foot. first game back against juventus he was immense. him and igor

wow

Zabaleta in the 3-2 win at City was another, and possibly Valencia in the 3-2 over Wigan?

[Advil]

Baros is still playing. He plays for Slovan Liberec now.

Sinama Pongolle still playing in Thai League.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florent_Sinama_Pongolle

Le Tallec playing in Greece.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Le_Tallec

Did not know that Le Tallec and Sinama Pongolle are cousin. I always felt that they look alike.

[paulrazor]

Zabaleta in the 3-2 win at City was another, and possibly Valencia in the 3-2 over Wigan?

that sounds right

[Isaacsways]

One of the most brilliant footballers ever to grace Anfield. Utterly sublime player... fuck me could he pass a ball.. we've still never replaced him... although, how do you replace the irreplaceable?

[rscanderlech]

He will be retiring aged 35, and will most likely have played 30-plus games for Bayern Munich, one of the top 5 teams in the world, in his last season. He could most likely play for other quality teams, but he is smart enough to possibly take a break and then, presumably, begin coaching.

[zabadoh]

Completely different type of player from Gerrard with his legendary reading habits. 

Would make an excellent manager, or pundit, or rocket scientist if he put his mind to it. 

There was one season where he was injured from December through about January, and we went into a tailspin.  We could win consistently without Gerrard, but we couldn't without Xabi.  That's how important he was to those Rafa teams.

Who could forget those two were all over each other



Re: Active players from that team

I think Momo is still seeking to play professionally, although he is currently a free agent after having played for FC Pune City last season.

[paulrazor]

I think Momo is still seeking to play professionally, although he is currently a free agent after having played for FC Pune City last season.

sissoko only joined after we won it. he wasnt there that night

though there used to be some story doing the rounds he claimed he played that night

[Gods_Left_Boot]

My absolute favourite player, bar none, for years. The day Xabier Alonso Olano will hang up his boots will be a sad day for football.

[CraigDS]

Great footballer, and fittingly had a great career to match.

[Barneylfc∗]

Who could forget those two were all over each other

[Hazell]

Likes Belle & Sebastian apparently. Just when I thought I couldn't admire the suave fucker anymore, he goes and does that.

The cartoon or the band?

[Hash91]

Likes Belle & Sebastian apparently. Just when I thought I couldn't admire the suave fucker anymore, he goes and does that. Truly a statesman of the game. He's got the kind of intellectual vibe that is far more associated with a sport like cricket than it is with football. Hopefully, he stays involved with the game, because football could do with more of his type.

Xabi probably reminds me of Dravid, class personified

[God's Left Peg]

Time flies mannnnn, doesn't feel like that long ago we signed him as a youngster now he's retiring and Gerrard is gone. Meanwhile Enrico Chiesa's son is playing in the Fiorentina team and Kluiverts son come on as a sub for Ajax the other day. 

Frightening.

[Daniel Cabbaggio]

Zabaleta in the 3-2 win at City was another, and possibly Valencia in the 3-2 over Wigan?

Scholes tried to lamp him a few times as well i think.

[_00_deathscar]

Joey Barton, Newcastle.

[seal75]

I've the feeling he'll make a great manager if he wants to continue in the game.

[[new username under construction]]

I've the feeling he'll make a great manager if he wants to continue in the game.

Another Academy Coach? Get on the phone someone!!!!

[afc tukrish]

Another Academy Coach? Get on the phone someone!!!!

Chrissakes, imagine that, Xabi and Stevie working in the Academy together...

[trimore]

Another Academy Coach? Get on the phone someone!!!!

I think the rumour is he is going to join the board of directors at Bayern 

[_00_deathscar]

Chrissakes, imagine that, Xabi and Stevie working in the Academy together...

Are we going to need a third anchor for them cos they can't play together?

[gatcliffe]

Was honoured to see him make his debut for us, oh and that goal against Newcastle from his own half.

[jooneyisdagod]

The cartoon or the band?

The band!

Xabi probably reminds me of Dravid, class personified

I was just going to say that!

[PIPA23]

Chrissakes, imagine that, Xabi and Stevie working in the Academy together...

Alberto will have dome siblings... I get my coat.

[clinical]

Retiring a year too early IMO.

[Anfield Ed]

Retiring a year too early IMO.

Agreed - even if it is not at the level of Bayern he can definitely do a job for another team. Tonight his simplicity of passing, movement and tempo was just brilliant.

[jackh]

Really want Bayern to win this...

Really want Xabi Alonso to win the Champions League this year.  Joining Clarence Seedorf's exclusive club would be a very 'cool' and very appropriate way for Xabi to bow out.

[clinical]

Agreed - even if it is not at the level of Bayern he can definitely do a job for another team. Tonight his simplicity of passing, movement and tempo was just brilliant.

If he came here he'd be our best midfielder instantly.

[jonesygeez]

Best midfielder, bar gerrard, ive ever seen! fact - what a player

[only6times]

Boss Basque.

[only6times]

Treated the ball like his first born child as opposed to some who treat it like a ginger stepson.

[Medellin]

Get your arse back here & link up with Stevie again.
Superb player.



 

[martinsquirtle]

He always feels like the one that got away

[ggcc14]

To think Rafa wanted to replace him with Barry, haha.

Absolute maestro, after what he achieved with us though I have no bitterness or resentment that he moved to Real Madrid. It was a pleasure having him in our midfield, unbelievable class in those boots. Can't help but think a player of his ilk could play for another 5 years though.

[clinical]

Get your arse back here & link up with Stevie again.
Superb player.



 

Shame Mascherano couldn't make it due to international commitments

[jillcwhomever]

Loved Xabi brilliant footballer, it was never quite the same after he left. A total professional, really hope he goes into management a really intelligent footballer and decent man. Wish him all the best.

[PhilV]

One of my modern favourites, an absolute legend.


Happy retirement, Xabi!! Fucking Hero!