For £6.25 million this is a bargain compared to some prices.

I think this is a great signing.

Yes a very good signing for Liverpool, he will link up well with Baros and Gerrard I think. This may also make way for Mellor to join Sheffield Untied hopefully so well done Rafa, good signing.

On topic of Real Madrid they have just signed Gravesen from Everton for £2.1m, I wonder what the thinking is behind that?

I imagine they require Gravesen for some sort of holding role, similar to what Makalele used to do.

£2.1m is loose change to Real Madrid but he will be made to look very ordinary surrounded by an abundance of class players who are expected to play one touch flowing football.

That's what I though, but under the new coach he may just fit in. I saw the Copa Del Ray game last night and Real played 5 at the back which I thought was strange for them as their tactic is usually just score more than the opponents as Defence has not really been a factor for them because of their attack.

On MOTD2 last night they said Graveson had a good first match coming on in the 62nd minute or something.

I think hes there to toughen up the team abit!

I personally thought Graveson had a shocking debut. He came on for Figo, which is IMO the equivalent of replacing Ronaldinho with a random person in the crowd. He made a few clumsy challenges which could have cost Real the game.

However, the crowd did appear to like him.

I'm gutted Liverpool have signed Morientes, I think he's a cracking player.

Plus I was completely bemused by Real Madrid signing Graveson. I couldn't get my head around that one. He's not a bad player but I can't see him improving Real's team at all.

Originally posted by Lou
I'm gutted Liverpool have signed Morientes, I think he's a cracking player.

Plus I was completely bemused by Real Madrid signing Graveson. I couldn't get my head around that one. He's not a bad player but I can't see him improving Real's team at all.

Can you name another one of their other midfielders who can tackle?

I agree there are better players around (eg Steven Gerrard), but
1 not many of them are for sale
2 Real Madrid are only prepared to pay good money for flashy high profile players like Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo etc

I really do reckon that Morientes has made a right balls up of choosing Liverpool as the next team to play for.

Its a bit of a come down though innit from Real to Liverpool?

I'd have thought he'd have gone somewhere in Italy or at least somewhere else in Spain or perhaps France/Germany.

Originally posted by Yodameister
Can you name another one of their other midfielders who can tackle?

I agree there are better players around (eg Steven Gerrard), but
1 not many of them are for sale
2 Real Madrid are only prepared to pay good money for flashy high profile players like Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo etc
I agree that availability must be limiting them but I would have thought a team like Real Madrid should have a pretty extensive scouting system which should cover players in obscure places yet to be discovered. So I'm surprised that the best available midfielder that they can find is Thomas Graveson. However, I'm quite happy to be proven wrong by him going on to have a very successful career at Real!

Originally posted by Lickszz
For £6.25 million this is a bargain compared to some prices.

I think this is a great signing.

I disagree, I think this is way over the odds for a player who's hardly played recently. He had a good Champions league campaign last time out, but his record of 10 goals in 28 league matches for Monaco hardly suggests he's likely to put it in on a weekly basis.

Originally posted by Yodameister
Can you name another one of their other midfielders who can tackle?

I agree there are better players around (eg Steven Gerrard), but
1 not many of them are for sale
2 Real Madrid are only prepared to pay good money for flashy high profile players like Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo etc

3 a player available for selection in the champs league this season!!

i think graveson is a top player, and he is in my dream team so i am sad to see him go as i now have to use my final transfer GRRRRR

Originally posted by Greenback
I disagree, I think this is way over the odds for a player who's hardly played recently. He had a good Champions league campaign last time out, but his record of 10 goals in 28 league matches for Monaco hardly suggests he's likely to put it in on a weekly basis.

Compare the quality for the price. Beattie? :)

Real Madrid initially wanted Viera but when that avenue was closed they were forced to look elsewhere.

As far as this season is concerned Arsenal may as well have sold him because he has done nothing ever since speculation of the move was first mentioned.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Compare the quality for the price. Beattie? :)

ahh but what you have to remember is, beattie has been a good scorer for the past few seasons with a very average side,

but yeah i would actually put morientes above beattie

Don't get me wrong. I think Beattie is a good signing also for £6m as far as today's prices go and I also think he wil get goals. However, Morientes ha proved himself at the highest level and is one of the finest around.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Compare the quality for the price. Beattie? :)

I'm amazed anyone touched Beattie at that price, especially in today's market. I fear that he may end up being something of a Kevin Davies (ie a success at little old Southampton, but a fish out of water elsewhere).