Will Aquilani be the worst EPL signing of the noughties?

Pierre Littbarski wrote:The answer to the question is no - they paid a fair price for a fantastically gifted player.



The worst for me is Berbatov to United followed by Shevchenko to Chelsea.



In mitigation Shevchenko went from playing in front of 3 creative midfielders to 0 creative midfielders - any striker would find this tough and he's proved that he plays well for footballing sides.

Drogba does well because he has the physical qualities to turn hopeful punts forward into assists but not many others would flourish there.

Shevchenko was also very committed (goal line clearances v Bolton and bleeding on the shirt in Sofia spring to mind) for all his shitness and this is where he really trumps Berbatov who just cannot be arsed.

The Berbatov signing was always going to be a bad one - yes they needed a 6ft plus forward but it needed to be one with pace and workrate.

The Santa Stalker wrote:

Fey wrote:Who made the worse signings, Spurs or Newcastle??

Sports.direct @ St james' Park.com stadium.

Black Magic wrote:Continue that Roma hate Tweeds.

OrangeSky wrote:I disagree that Aquilani is not a terrible signing as well. Everyone that has been following Serie A, knows that the Roma doctors have pretty much damaged this kid. I think it was pretty obvious that he had health problems from the get go, so if Rafa was trying to add someone that can consistently bring creativity, then he fucked up here. That was a pretty large fee/position to fill, and I guarentee you that he will probably do nothing at Pool for the remainder of his time there.

I agree we've had the worst team doctors in Serie A for years . Conti and co finally noticed the problem and acquired the Azzurri doctor to try and improve player rehabilitation. Even De Rossi said that after months of problems he finally felt 'over' his injuries after receiving treatment at the Italian camp in South Africa last year.

I wouldnt necessarily say that we 'ruined' him. We were definitely negligent in his recovery periods, like bringing him back before he was completely over his injuries. But at the same time, he has weak hamstrings, thats it, you cant blame that on anyone the Roma management. He's just an incredibly injury prone player.

I didnt think it was a terrible signing from Liverpool either - He was clearly a talented player and provided they were able to get him over his injury problems it was a very good signing. A great passer, able to handle the pace and physicality of the EPL and the skill and offensive ability that Liverpool need in midfield.

I'd gladly take him back to Roma, gladly.

Kimbo wrote:

The Santa Stalker wrote:

Fey wrote:Who made the worse signings, Spurs or Newcastle??

Sports.direct @ St james' Park.com stadium.

You wish you had St James' park, even our smallest attendences this season dwarf your biggest.

OrangeSky wrote:

Black Magic wrote:Continue that Roma hate Tweeds.

OrangeSky wrote:I disagree that Aquilani is not a terrible signing as well. Everyone that has been following Serie A, knows that the Roma doctors have pretty much damaged this kid. I think it was pretty obvious that he had health problems from the get go, so if Rafa was trying to add someone that can consistently bring creativity, then he fucked up here. That was a pretty large fee/position to fill, and I guarentee you that he will probably do nothing at Pool for the remainder of his time there.

I agree we've had the worst team doctors in Serie A for years . Conti and co finally noticed the problem and acquired the Azzurri doctor to try and improve player rehabilitation. Even De Rossi said that after months of problems he finally felt 'over' his injuries after receiving treatment at the Italian camp in South Africa last year.

I wouldnt necessarily say that we 'ruined' him. We were definitely negligent in his recovery periods, like bringing him back before he was completely over his injuries. But at the same time, he has weak hamstrings, thats it, you cant blame that on anyone the Roma management. He's just an incredibly injury prone player.

I didnt think it was a terrible signing from Liverpool either - He was clearly a talented player and provided they were able to get him over his injury problems it was a very good signing. A great passer, able to handle the pace and physicality of the EPL and the skill and offensive ability that Liverpool need in midfield.

I'd gladly take him back to Roma, gladly.

I just think from their standpoint, they were looking for someone to play a dominant role in their creative capabilities, and then they bought Aquilani. I don't think buying an injury prone Italian footballer with rehab problems was the right move on their part. I agree that he is a good player, but I wouldn't bring him on board the way Liverpool did this summer and expect wonders is all.

OrangeSky wrote:
And offcourse you would take him back. Must have been hard to see him cry when he was leaving Rome, he wasn't just some random player but a youth product from the city. It's always sucks losing players that identiy with the club.

Bubbles wrote:I doubt Fergie even remember's Veron's name.



Seba was an absolutely incredible player though. If you could put Lazio/Fiorentina Veron in a midfield with Essien, they'd be unbeatable.

L r dd wrote:Both Veron and Forlan did well. People like Glenn just spout rubbish based on popular opinion i wouldn't take him seriously.

Smith was our worst signing for many reasons. Berbatov i wouldn't say is a flop but he isnt a success. I don't think it's one of the two. Djemba kleberson smith etc etc. I cant think of too many for big money who were genuine flops. Not less you subscribe to the theory if someone costs 5 times as much they have to perform 5 times as good.

Bubbles wrote:I doubt Fergie even remember's Veron's name.



Seba was an absolutely incredible player though. If you could put Lazio/Fiorentina Veron in a midfield with Essien, they'd be unbeatable.

Laudable Laudrup wrote:Veron was a great player. Purple nosed c**t fucked him up. He hasn't recovered yet. A Greek tragedy of a flop!!

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Bubbles wrote:I doubt Fergie even remember's Veron's name.



Seba was an absolutely incredible player though. If you could put Lazio/Fiorentina Veron in a midfield with Essien, they'd be unbeatable.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

L r dd wrote:Both Veron and Forlan did well. People like Glenn just spout rubbish based on popular opinion i wouldn't take him seriously.

Smith was our worst signing for many reasons. Berbatov i wouldn't say is a flop but he isnt a success. I don't think it's one of the two. Djemba kleberson smith etc etc. I cant think of too many for big money who were genuine flops. Not less you subscribe to the theory if someone costs 5 times as much they have to perform 5 times as good.

Laudable Laudrup wrote:Fact is Eriksson, a better club coach than Fergie, knew to use Veron properly. Played his best then. Sven knew to handle talented players. Not play negative football and fuck up such talents. Especially Latin & Samba players from South of America. Where is Puro when you need him.

Laudable Laudrup wrote:Fact is Eriksson, a better club coach than Fergie, knew to use Veron properly. Played his best then. Sven knew to handle talented players. Not play negative football and fuck up such talents. Especially Latin & Samba players from South of America. Where is Puro when you need him.

L r dd wrote:

Laudable Laudrup wrote:Veron was a great player. Purple nosed c**t fucked him up. He hasn't recovered yet. A Greek tragedy of a flop!!

Well he must be very weak to allow one man to ruin him at numerous clubs. He was a great player but he wasnt Zidane level. Keane gave him a hard time and he struggled at Man Utd after awhile. But the rest is his fault.

Iraq Hysén Osama wrote:here's to the hope we'll all be bumping this thread as often as we do Otto's Torres one

Black Magic wrote:

OrangeSky wrote:

Black Magic wrote:Continue that Roma hate Tweeds.

OrangeSky wrote:I disagree that Aquilani is not a terrible signing as well. Everyone that has been following Serie A, knows that the Roma doctors have pretty much damaged this kid. I think it was pretty obvious that he had health problems from the get go, so if Rafa was trying to add someone that can consistently bring creativity, then he fucked up here. That was a pretty large fee/position to fill, and I guarentee you that he will probably do nothing at Pool for the remainder of his time there.

I agree we've had the worst team doctors in Serie A for years . Conti and co finally noticed the problem and acquired the Azzurri doctor to try and improve player rehabilitation. Even De Rossi said that after months of problems he finally felt 'over' his injuries after receiving treatment at the Italian camp in South Africa last year.

I wouldnt necessarily say that we 'ruined' him. We were definitely negligent in his recovery periods, like bringing him back before he was completely over his injuries. But at the same time, he has weak hamstrings, thats it, you cant blame that on anyone the Roma management. He's just an incredibly injury prone player.

I didnt think it was a terrible signing from Liverpool either - He was clearly a talented player and provided they were able to get him over his injury problems it was a very good signing. A great passer, able to handle the pace and physicality of the EPL and the skill and offensive ability that Liverpool need in midfield.

I'd gladly take him back to Roma, gladly.

I just think from their standpoint, they were looking for someone to play a dominant role in their creative capabilities, and then they bought Aquilani. I don't think buying an injury prone Italian footballer with rehab problems was the right move on their part. I agree that he is a good player, but I wouldn't bring him on board the way Liverpool did this summer and expect wonders is all.

Thats different from your 'terrible signing' stance. I think he'll come good provided he builds his fitness and doesnt have any relapses.

OrangeSky wrote:
And offcourse you would take him back. Must have been hard to see him cry when he was leaving Rome, he wasn't just some random player but a youth product from the city. It's always sucks losing players that identiy with the club.

You have no idea! I waited 4 hours in the hot Tuscan sun to get a signature from him back in 2004!

Tweesus wrote:

Iraq Hysén Osama wrote:here's to the hope we'll all be bumping this thread as often as we do Otto's Torres one

I'm assuming you won't be bumping it this morning