How much do we value Ashley here? We paid £9.65m four years ago, he’s one of our top earners and key players, English, and breaking into the senior national team, but has only 1 year left on his contract?
£15-20m sounds roughly like what we could expect.
And yet there’s constant speculation about his departure with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham known to be admirers. We all know his stance on his current position with him reiterating he’ll only speak terms once the season is finished. Fair enough he wants to concentrate on his football but we all know he’s already thinking about it. We’ve seen it twice before with messrs Barry & Milner.
Personally, I wouldn’t be too upset if he moved on. Yes he is an incredible talent and he is capable of changing games but with Ashley, there’s just too much drama.
He’s almost he embodiment of the modern day footballer. Giving interviews with headphones round his neck that are big enough to fit even Richard Dunne’s sizeable head. He’s constantly gobbing off to the ref and with his knack of hitting the deck being a constant source of bookings.
Brilliant player but over estimates his contribution to the team. Like his general insistance on taking every single free kick, and every single penalty. Not only that but Houllier is almost rubbing stamping this behaviour by handing him the Captain’s arm band. If we were to build a team around Ashley Young it would only be a detriment to the club.
If Young wants to go, which he might, I think we could guess his preffered location. London, and playing in the Champions League which would obviously bring us to Tottenham.
How interested is Harry Redknapp because this story just hasn’t gone away? I remember him denying it but it’s not like I’d believe anything the man says anyway. Houllier should offer Spurs Young for Kyle Walker. Even throw in a bit of money our end if needed.
Straight away that would huge slice of the wage bill reduced (which will obviously be at the forefront of any transfer dealings this summer) and it could be an interesting proposal to the second hand care dealer.
It’d be a package to match the transfer of Darren Bent, which Spurs did well out of themselves with their sell on fee. £18-23m for 20 year old loanee and that might turn his head.
Kyle Walker is an incredible player and already looking like a world beater. He’s the unrivalled candidate for the future England right back spot. He’s better than Glenn Johnson and Micah richards, and has shown talent in all areas of the pitch. The only criticism of him I have is that he does need to be told ‘If in doubt, get it out.’ He’s so confident he sometimes over plays in the defensive third and loses posession but, that is something he will learn.
With Ashley going it could spark the emergance of the equally talented Marc Albrighton. There’s a case to made for him to take up the left sided spot as in his spells there this season it’s reaped rewards. Against Spurs he head old Harry sweating, even bringing on Jenas to follow him round the pitch and them sent the ball into the net with a lofted cross that evaded everyone. At Chelsea he provided the deep in swinging cross for Clarke to get the late equilizer. Last week against Blackburn the aging Salgado needed help from Emerton to drop inside and double mark Albrighton too force him down the line instead of letting him cut inside. He was getting nowhere but with each failed delivery from the byline, you could see his frustration and determination to do better. Which eventually led to the dangerous ball in that Hanley could only turn through his own net.
Downing plays better on the right side anyway, as seen again today.
Then Makoun in the middle with either Delph or Reo Coker, and Barry Bannan playing just off them to support Darren Bent.
Walker and Clarke to play with Collins or Cuellar and the left back Houllier will surely be signing in the summer.
There is no way that team couldn’t win.
Redknapp might have other plans though because Kyle Walker on the right and Gareth Bale would be a sensation. And if he does want Ash he’ll have him on the right wing or as a centre forward because he isn’t taking Van Der Vaarts spot
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