Right, for those who think spending 17m (quoted) on Masch is unwise, let's look through this rationally.
What does Masch do for us?
1) Is a specialist in the holding midfield role. We do not have anyone else who can do the same, Alonso and Luca are continental playmakers, Gerrard is not suitably disciplined and Momo plays far higher up the park in terms of breaking up play. All very useful for different types of games, but no one can fulfill this specialist role that Masch does.
2) Masch has had time in the premier league, the champions league, playing within Liverpool FC and living in Liverpool as a city. The fact that he appears so happy even though he has played maybe 40% of games he could have this year surely means he is a reliable asset.
3) He is still very very young for such a position, another 10 years at the top level would not be unusual for a holding midfielder.
Granted, having 5 players of such quality, potential or otherwise could cause problems in the mid-long term. So may I suggest we see how the short term develops until the close season and make the decision to get shot of one, perhaps Momo? Then buy another up and coming player, or start blooding Guthrie or Spearing into the first team squad. Then start over next year.
If indeed we do lose one, being realistic we should get £7-8M for Momo, assuming he gets enough games to showcase his undoubted talent. Now while this bit is all speculation, we would have to pay around £9m net for Masch's services.
As for whether this sort of money would be wiser spent on an attacking force, do you think £9M spent elsewhere in the squad will offer the same sort of influence as a top top quality holding midfielder of which I struggle to think of someone as good and as commited as Masch. Gutusso perhaps?
Is it really worth the risk of bringing in a fancy pants like Nani for example at the expense of keeping Masch, bearing in mind the cost and high risk nature of such a signing?
