Jimmy Rice 09 July 2008
liverpoolfc.tv
Rafa Benitez has spoken of his pride at the progress Peter Crouch has made under his management at Liverpool – and admitted he would be sad to lose the striker to Portsmouth.
Benitez knows he cannot offer Crouch what he wants more than anything – first-team football week in, week out. With this in mind, he has not stood in the way of the big man's proposed move to Portsmouth, despite anything written in the press. However, Benitez knows the popular forward, who only has to agree personal terms for the move south to be completed, will be missed at Anfield as well as Melwood. The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am proud of the progress he has made. When we brought him here people were talking – especially because he didn't score for 14 games or something like that. "But he showed his quality; showed he was a good player and a fantastic professional. He is a nice person. We know we will miss him but you can't stop a player who wants to play every week. "He understands that with Torres here and Gerrard as a second striker, like he was at the end of last season, it will be difficult for him. "Everything is friendly. I've talked to him and the agents. If he can agree with Portsmouth it will be perfect for everyone. "People need to understand that we have supported Peter from the day he signed and we offered him a new contract (before the summer). But I can understand that he wants to play every week, wants to start every game. "As a manager you have to understand these situations. Also, a few people in the press were talking about £7million – so then I talked about £15million because I wanted to protect the club. But I know you need to respect the players. "So, we have now more or less agreed a transfer fee and now it's just the player talking to Portsmouth and finding a solution." Liverpool are now preparing for life after Crouch, which Benitez revealed is likely to include a new striker. Asked whether Valencia's David Villa was an option, he added: "We have Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard, who can play as a second striker.
"But we will try to bring in another option. Villa is a player we know all about and he is on our list. But maybe it will be difficult."
utusanLFC :
I deliberately enlarge the above sentences... Rafa could be simply joking or teasing all of us... but who knows?... Villa could be well be in our team next August... and yabedabeduuuuuuuu........!!!!
liverpoolfc.tv
Rafa Benitez has spoken of his pride at the progress Peter Crouch has made under his management at Liverpool – and admitted he would be sad to lose the striker to Portsmouth.
Benitez knows he cannot offer Crouch what he wants more than anything – first-team football week in, week out. With this in mind, he has not stood in the way of the big man's proposed move to Portsmouth, despite anything written in the press. However, Benitez knows the popular forward, who only has to agree personal terms for the move south to be completed, will be missed at Anfield as well as Melwood. The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am proud of the progress he has made. When we brought him here people were talking – especially because he didn't score for 14 games or something like that. "But he showed his quality; showed he was a good player and a fantastic professional. He is a nice person. We know we will miss him but you can't stop a player who wants to play every week. "He understands that with Torres here and Gerrard as a second striker, like he was at the end of last season, it will be difficult for him. "Everything is friendly. I've talked to him and the agents. If he can agree with Portsmouth it will be perfect for everyone. "People need to understand that we have supported Peter from the day he signed and we offered him a new contract (before the summer). But I can understand that he wants to play every week, wants to start every game. "As a manager you have to understand these situations. Also, a few people in the press were talking about £7million – so then I talked about £15million because I wanted to protect the club. But I know you need to respect the players. "So, we have now more or less agreed a transfer fee and now it's just the player talking to Portsmouth and finding a solution." Liverpool are now preparing for life after Crouch, which Benitez revealed is likely to include a new striker. Asked whether Valencia's David Villa was an option, he added: "We have Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard, who can play as a second striker.
"But we will try to bring in another option. Villa is a player we know all about and he is on our list. But maybe it will be difficult."
utusanLFC :
I deliberately enlarge the above sentences... Rafa could be simply joking or teasing all of us... but who knows?... Villa could be well be in our team next August... and yabedabeduuuuuuuu........!!!!
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