Topic: Who the hell is Mark Gonzalez

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

The return of Kewell may actually help Gonzo.  He's clearly not ready to be first choice on the left wing so he may be able to improve and find his feet a bit better if he is used more sparingly and in situations with less pressure and expectation.

I don't think we'll get rid yet... Kewell's injury history says that we need plenty of cover.  I suppose it's possible that Gonzo would leave if we got a good offer but that is probably not very likely since he has been very quiet lately.  I can't really see him leaving until the January transfer window at the soonest after Rafa has had an opportunity to assess Leto and see if Kewell's fitness is looking stable - and even then I don't think he'll be shipped out.

Agree. I hope we don't sell the kid, as he has shown glimpses of brilliance, however the arrival of Leto has got me a little worried.

[Hank Scorpio]

I think the one thing working in his favour for next season is that Benitez looks to be assembling a strong young side, which could well be deployed in the domestic cups, and therefore see a fair share of 1st team football next season, depending upon our success in the competitions.

I would not be surprised to see Benitez add 2 or 3 more real quality young players to the squad before the start of next season.  I think this must have part of the deal to keep him at the club.

When you consider the list of youngsters we already have in Padelli, Paletta, Insua, Hobbs, Sissoko, Lucas, Anderson, Lindfield, then we could have a very strong U23 team, which will allow these guys to play together and slowly adapt to proper 1st team football.

[Mark Walters]

Gonzalez attracts Spanish interest
May 17 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
 
MARK GONZALEZ could be heading for a swift return to La Liga after the Champions League final as a host of Spanish clubs are showing interest in the winger.

The 22-year-old Chilean has struggled to make an impact in the Premiership following his arrival from Real Sociedad last summer.

There were high hopes the South American would solve Liverpool’s long standing problems on the left of midfield, but despite countless opportunities, it’s been an erratic debut campaign in England.

Now Real Betis are believed to be among those showing an interest in taking the youngster back to Spain, where he originally shone for Albacete, prompting his much delayed £2.5m transfer to the Reds.

Manager Rafa Benitez has been pondering whether to allow Gonzalez to leave or give him one more chance to shine next season.

Benitez is weighing up whether the Chilean will have benefited from his first season at Anfield and can massively improve, or whether the last eight months are a sign he’s not up to the level of a club of Liverpool’s size.

It’s a sign of how Gonzalez has missed his opportunities when long term absentee Harry Kewell seems to have moved above him in the battle to win a place on the bench in Athens.

Gonzalez admits he faces an uncertain future, but is hopeful he’ll still be at the club beyond the summer.

"I have a three-year contract but you never know what might happen,” he acknowledged.

"This is football and if I have to go somewhere else then I will have to deal with that, but at the moment I'm here and I'm very focused for the final and what happens in the future will come.

"If I have to go then I will go but I will arrive there with confidence because I have been at Liverpool and I must have been there for something.

"But I would like to stay at Liverpool next season and beyond."

Gonzalez can at least console himself with the fact his winning goal against Maccabi Haifa in last August’s Champions League qualifier set Liverpool on the path to Athens.

But since then, there have been few personal highlights.

“It has not been the best year for me and I know I can do more,” he said.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=gonzalez-attracts-spanish-interest%26method=full%26objectid=19117550%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

[shangtsung]

If we do sell him, it might be useful to include a sell on clause or even a buy back clause in case he comes good.

[Crackerjack Sam]

Put him on loan to a championship team and see if he improves in this country. If he does, bring him back.

[Finn Solomon]

I am reading all the wrong signs from him. If he knows he's been shite he should be talking about working harder and getting ready for next season, none of this going back to Spain rubbish.

[Spanish Fan]

Real Betis are interested in getting Mark Gonzalez. A four deal year.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0517/liverpool.html

Sorry, didn't read the previous posts

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

Real Betis are interested in getting Mark Gonzalez. A four deal year.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0517/liverpool.html

How much?

[Phil M]

Don't want to be pessimistic ahead of next week or to launch another
player rant but I found this link and it caught me by surprise.

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/221-02.html

Apparently Mark is wanted by Sociedad, Betis and other spanish clubs.
With Kewell on the way back, Leto, Voronin and Lucas signed perhaps
he will leave Anfield this summer after all.

[woof]

We should give him another season although Rafa may ship him out since we've got money promised by the Americans.

With Kewell back and fit (and if he doesn't get sold), Gonzalez may see less time.

[arfy05]

I like how Rafa works strictly with players who do not perform, there is no room for sentiment or whatever. While I agree Speedy has a lot to learn and develop, should that be at the expense of the teams advancement, especially considering this team needs to discover it's identity by finally trying to win the league.

While this might seem harsh, a strict policy with players needs to be adapted so at to not drop standards and maintain a high level of competitiveness in the squad.

For me I thought people's hopes of Speedy replacing Harry were a tad too hih and although he has struggled and what not, there are large areas of his game which need improvement and i don't see even with good guidance Speedy being a world class winger, i may be wrong. But technical ability and game intelligence really lack in his game and as seen with many a players, you cannot legislate for if a player does not have the footballing brain, you can cover it ith hard work and endeavour, but the lack of natural talent will show especially for flair players like a winger.

[legoflamb]

I wouldn't let him go anywhere.  You can't judge a player properly on one season, hampered in parts by injury.  Ronaldo in no way set the Premiership alight in his first season, and whilst I'm not comparing the two at all - unfortunately, I don't think Gonzalez has anywhere near as many tricks up his sleeve, or, dare I say it, the same footballing brain - I think it does go to show that players can 'acclimatise' at different rates.  Having said all that of course, Rafa may feel a loan spell would do him the world of good.

[jackellis]

I think he needs another season. He's been pretty injury-hit this season and he'll have had ample time to settle in by the start of next season. I for one can definately see potential there.

[Phil M]

I feel the same.

( Before the mods get angry, I just noticed someone posted a similiar link
in the 'Gonzales' thread )

[Barney_Rubble]

*merged*

[Phil M]

*merged*

Impressive!

[toshi]

i think he should get another season, C. Ronaldo is not that impressive on his first season in England either, but look at him now....

[mjjason]

Ronaldo shown glimpse of what he was about all through out his first season; Gonzalez has not.  Between him and Kewell, if we could only keep one, I would chose Kewell.  Both have been hampered by injury but Kewell has shown his talent when he has played.

[Bondred]

Gonzalez has done ok, he has played how I expected him to play in his first season.

[Life]

Ronaldo shown glimpse of what he was about all through out his first season; Gonzalez has not.  Between him and Kewell, if we could only keep one, I would chose Kewell.  Both have been hampered by injury but Kewell has shown his talent when he has played.

Echo that.

He's not really shown anything at all, except an ability to get into the box on the end of crosses - which he's only done sporadically.
I'd personally like to have him for another year, but I suspect he thinks he's not good enough or suited for this league and wants out.

[victor predictor]

Ronaldo shown glimpse of what he was about all through out his first season; Gonzalez has not.  Between him and Kewell, if we could only keep one, I would chose Kewell.  Both have been hampered by injury but Kewell has shown his talent when he has played.

wouldnt be upset if either went

[PaulF]

Rafa must have seen very good things in the lad, that perhaps we haven't yet. He's been to extraordinary lengths to get him here. If nothing else we'd have no chance of signing a 'special talent' from outside of Europe if we ship him back off so soon.

[VintageRed74]

Echo that.

He's not really shown anything at all, except an ability to get into the box on the end of crosses - which he's only done sporadically.
I'd personally like to have him for another year, but I suspect he thinks he's not good enough or suited for this league and wants out.

Totally agree with you mate, word on the street is that for the 1st time in 19 years we just may have a good go at winning the league next season and for me he is not good enough, the lad wants too much time on the ball (moving back to Spain would give him this) and has not looked anywhere near good enough, still at least we didn't pay a fortune for him like we have on other duds in recent years, heres hoping Leto has more quality.

[goosh]

If we sign a quality left winger in the summer then he would be one I would let go, if not I'd keep him on, rotating with Harry depending on form and fitness of the 2.

[rafathegaffa83]

I wonder if Rafa will take into account Gonzalez's possible participation in the Copa America next month.  If he is thinking about selling Mark, he can use the tournament to raise his value. If not, it will give Gonzalez a chance to show what he is capable of doing next season.

[NarutoReds]

He scored for us today!! I am happy!!! Pongolle to!!

[disgraced cake]

Hope he can kick on now

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Had high hopes for him.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Here's a pic of him training today