Topic: Roberto Firmino

[robertobaggio37]

Will be out for another couple of weeks. Who's the fella who said he'd be back for boxing day fixture? 

[DelTrotter]

Heading for 2 months out then and has to get through our training on his return or it'll be longer. 25 games missed last season.

Let's renew his contract as a reliable back up option 

[Sheer Magnetism]

Easy decision not to renew. We've got Salah, Nunez, Diaz, Jota and Gakpo with Elliott, Carvalho and Doak as back up for the front three. I'd rather spend what would probably be a fraction of the money on reviewing and fixing our training and fitness methods so the players aren't getting injured so often.

[Xanderzone]

One year deal with the option of another year would be fine, even if I don't agree with it really.

A long term contract would be insanity but then we do have form in giving out unmerited contracts to players.

[killer-heels]

Shouldnt be renewed. Mad if we do. Injured a lot now.

[CraigDS]

Heading for 2 months out then and has to get through our training on his return or it'll be longer. 25 games missed last season.

Let's renew his contract as a reliable back up option 

He can't be first pick playing as many games as he was asked to. Being a back up should see him be less injury prone.

[killer-heels]

He can't be first pick playing as many games as he was asked to. Being a back up should see him be less injury prone.

He got injured in training didnt he?

[Knight]

He can't be first pick playing as many games as he was asked to. Being a back up should see him be less injury prone.

You're right about him being a backup. He'll be 6th choice. He might struggle to get on the bench.

[JackWard33]

Maybe so, but that's not a reason to throw good money after bad. We've made a series of bizarre contractual decisions in the past few years but we should be looking to break the cycle, not perpetuate it. Particularly since these things do not exist in a vacuum. The antidote to renewing too many old players is not to.. renew even more old players.

Ultimately:
- We have an enormous wage bill that does not remotely correlate with our level on the pitch, and which is directly impacting upon our ability to refresh the squad
- We have one of the oldest, slowest and least athletic squads in the league
- We have already renewed a large number of players in the same age bracket who are past their best (which is not to say they are *finished*, but they are demonstrably below their peak level), for the most part on enormous wages relative to their current on-pitch level (Salah, Henderson, Fabinho, VVD)
- We have a pretty bloated squad full of injury-prone players (some of these will leave soon)

Bobby is a bonafide legend. But he's also 31, has lost the vast majority of any athleticism he once had (meaning he struggles to press anywhere near as effectively as he used to), is one of our highest paid players, has declined significantly from his peak, and has started to pick up a shitload of injuries. 35 games missed (and counting) since the start of last season - with at least 5 different injuries - if you were keeping tally by the way. Keita has a better injury record over the last 18 months and he missed the entire first half of this season... Keeping injury prone players around for squad depth is a false economy, because they're never actually available when you need them. Like now, for instance.

He basically ticks every negative box on the "caution re: renewing players over 30" checklist. Does he still have a lot to offer the right team? Totally. If we kept him, would he contribute next season? I'm sure he would, to some extent. Does that mean it makes sense, financially or from a squad perspective? God no.

Good post.
Yup the mentality has to change
It’s not transition if you don’t move on from post peak players

[killer-heels]

Good post.
Yup the mentality has to change
It’s not transition if you don’t move on from post peak players

What I dont get is this idea that its fine to have him when you have loads of other younger attackers. He still takes a place in the squad, he still costs a relatively big amount of wages. Then when there is a discussion around where the money is, you have people saying we invested it in wages.

No shit.

[nerdster4]

I don’t think we should keep him , but we are more suited to his type than a proper 9. Nunez Salah Gakpo diaz and Jota all very useful from wide positions and our ageing midfield needs a pressing monster false 9 who is good at link up play .

[WhereAngelsPlay]

There's a reason why clubs have held onto and in some cases even bought the more skilful and experienced older players and it has fuck all about sentiment or blind loyalty.

He's going to bring the young'uns on no end and I'd bet my left bollock that he'll score many a winner coming off the bench.

[smurfinaus]

How long was he originally estimated to be out for?. Would have thought its something serious if he still isnt back...

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

His Instagram is like Christian TV lately

[spider-neil]

His Instagram is like Christian TV lately

And?

[spider-neil]

I can understand the logic in giving him an extension of a year and also of releasing him on a free. You release him on a free and and you free up some wages. If you keep him for another year you have experience in back and you also have someone in training to pass on their experience to the younger players. I’m fine with whatever the club wants to do.

[capt k]

His Instagram is like Christian TV lately

was he asking for donations so he can buy a helicopter??

[PaulF]

I can understand the logic in giving him an extension of a year and also of releasing him on a free. You release him on a free and and you free up some wages. If you keep him for another year you have experience in back and you also have someone in training to pass on their experience to the younger players. I’m fine with whatever the club wants to do.

It's a tricky one. We have several players with vast experience, the same argument can be made for all. We could be spending half a million a week on players to share their experience.

[AmanShah21]

With Bobby either decision can make sense for me. If he stays, we'll have a reliable experience option, especially for cup games or as a sub who can make something happen. If he goes, he'd free up a good chunk of the wage bill and open minutes for a younger lads like Doak or Gordon or Kone-Doherty to get a crack. Either way the risk is low the way I see it because we are now well stocked and just need to have patience as the newer lads build the understanding and link up play in our system. That is not something that will happen overnight.

[Mr Dilkington]

Maybe so, but that's not a reason to throw good money after bad. We've made a series of bizarre contractual decisions in the past few years but we should be looking to break the cycle, not perpetuate it. Particularly since these things do not exist in a vacuum. The antidote to renewing too many old players is not to.. renew even more old players.

Ultimately:
- We have an enormous wage bill that does not remotely correlate with our level on the pitch, and which is directly impacting upon our ability to refresh the squad
- We have one of the oldest, slowest and least athletic squads in the league
- We have already renewed a large number of players in the same age bracket who are past their best (which is not to say they are *finished*, but they are demonstrably below their peak level), for the most part on enormous wages relative to their current on-pitch level (Salah, Henderson, Fabinho, VVD)
- We have a pretty bloated squad full of injury-prone players (some of these will leave soon)

Bobby is a bonafide legend. But he's also 31, has lost the vast majority of any athleticism he once had (meaning he struggles to press anywhere near as effectively as he used to), is one of our highest paid players, has declined significantly from his peak, and has started to pick up a shitload of injuries. 35 games missed (and counting) since the start of last season - with at least 5 different injuries - if you were keeping tally by the way. Keita has a better injury record over the last 18 months and he missed the entire first half of this season... Keeping injury prone players around for squad depth is a false economy, because they're never actually available when you need them. Like now, for instance.

He basically ticks every negative box on the "caution re: renewing players over 30" checklist. Does he still have a lot to offer the right team? Totally. If we kept him, would he contribute next season? I'm sure he would, to some extent. Does that mean it makes sense, financially or from a squad perspective? God no.

Excellent post.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

was he asking for donations so he can buy a helicopter??

 

[Bergersrightwingviews]

“He basically ticks every negative box on the "caution re: renewing players over 30" checklist. Does he still have a lot to offer the right team? Totally. If we kept him, would he contribute next season? I'm sure he would, to some extent. Does that mean it makes sense, financially or from a squad perspective? God no.“

This. He’s a legend and will leave with his head held high but it’s time to go.

Of course he will still be capable of the odd purple patch or stunning moment but he can’t contribute at the highest level for 40 games a season. He should probably have been moved on in the summer. We can’t keep clinging to Klopp’s first great team. We need to focus on building his second great team.

We could do with the foreign player spot and the 100k+ a week in wages.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

was he asking for donations so he can buy a helicopter??

 

[Johnny Foreigner]

I know that RB is 31 years old - seems to be a wonderful human being - lovely smile and contributed to some of the clubs best moments. sadly now - a bit injuries and lost a bit of his pace (although pace not primary asset). He is set for life

The club does not owe him anything; lowball him on a one year contract and tell his agent to fuck off

I thought you were american ?

Speaking about contracts; 2,5 months since most recent league match - enough said

[TepidT2O]

His agent says a new deal is close…

https://twitter.com/plettigoal/status/1620884997065572352?s=61&t=LTl3lmydD8XlNhL_4LKWZw

[killer-heels]

Big mistake really. At some point we need to move on and start a proper rebuild.

[Caston]

Hmm not sure about this one.

[Johnny Foreigner]

I hope it is agent talk. if not and if he gets a new contract being injuried - beggars belief.. we are skint

[TepidT2O]

I hope it is agent talk. if not and if he gets a new contract being injuried - beggars belief.. we are skint

Nonsense….


A sixth choice striker who is a top top professional and who sets the level in training ? No brainer on a shorter term deal.

[Motty]

He can still contribute as a back up so not that against it but think ideally he should just be allowed to leave as he's getting more and more injured with each passing year. Maybe playing less will mean he'll be more available for us.

[tubby]

Nonsense….


A sixth choice striker who is a top top professional and who sets the level in training ? No brainer on a shorter term deal.

What good has this level setting done us this season?

[Zlen]

Good for 10 goals a season.
Good enough for me.

[DelTrotter]

You can imagine those model pro's like Thiago, Van Dijk, Mo Salah etc refusing to train if Bobby wasn't there "setting the level in training".

[Wool]

Ludicrous decision and further evidence of how terrible our decision making has become.

[Johnny Foreigner]

Nonsense….


A sixth choice striker who is a top top professional and who sets the level in training ? No brainer on a shorter term deal.

Sets the level in a training  sixth choice striker and beiing injuried for 2-3 months.. are you serious ?

[Johnny Foreigner]

He can still contribute as a back up so not that against it but think ideally he should just be allowed to leave as he's getting more and more injured with each passing year. Maybe playing less will mean he'll be more available for us.

he is carrying a injury and lost his pace. i love him but its time to say goodbye.. just a reflection on how bad we are in

[skipper757]

If it’s a cheaper and affordable contract short term, it’s fine.  It’s not like the savings would be so immense in that case.

[Johnny Foreigner]

Good for 10 goals a season.
Good enough for me.

he scored 12 goals in 2018/2019 when he played 34 games.. he scored 5 in 20 last season. he hasnt played since november but lets give him a new contract - moneyball in reverse

[didi shamone]

he scored 12 goals in 2018/2019 when he played 34 games.. he scored 5 in 20 last season. he hasnt played since november but lets give him a new contract - moneyball in reverse

You're Joe Goldberg  and I claim my tenner.

[HeartAndSoul]

Why on earth are we offering him a new contract? This should have been his final season with us and let him go to Italy or Spain at the end of the season. He missed 26 games with injuries last season and has already missed a big chunk this season but yep let’s give another one of our aging player a new contract. We’re in an absolute and utter mess