Crouch Is Confirmed Coming?

gasband SG

Reproduced From http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=292777&cpid=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=CROUCH+TO+SEAL+REDS+MOVE&channel=football_home

Peter Crouch is travelling to Liverpool with a view to sealing a move to Anfield.

The Southampton striker, capped by England during the end-of-season tour of the United States, is to undergo a medical with the UEFA Champions League winners after being allowed to complete a dream switch.

Rafa Benitez is closing on getting all the pieces of his jigsaw with Real Madrid winger Luis Figo also a top target for the Spaniard.

Former Tottenham, Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa and Portsmouth hit-man Crouch will cost in the region of £7 million.

A number of Premiership clubs were trailing the lanky marksman, who enjoyed a fine season last term.

"What's special about him is he's 6ft 8ins," Saints boss Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "That's probably the most special thing.

"He's got terrific touch, he's good in air, has good understanding of the game and is a fantastic player. He's a good lad and has not been a minute's problem even when this has been going on.

"He's had Liverpool [after him] and many players would have thrown their dummies out of the pram but he's come in every day, worked hard and been a fantastic example to everybody.

"This is the second time I've sold him - I sold him at Portsmouth for £5 million, so maybe I'll meet him again and sell him again!

"I wish him well and I'm sure he'll be a big success at Liverpool."

What you people think? For me, I think Rafa has a reason and I trust him bu the amount around 7 million, i think its too much... but well if he knocks in 15 or so goals and 20 more assists... i think he will be worth it then hehe

dragg SG

i think crouch is a good buy.

stellazio SG

looks like he’s coming after all..

Poolman SG

Crouch's Liverpool move almost done

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the imminent arrival of England striker Peter Crouch will bring a new dimension to the European champions.
The Reds have agreed a fee of around £7million for Crouch, who has agreed a four-year contract and will sign after completing a medical tomorrow.

And Benitez, who guided Liverpool to Champions League glory in May, hopes Crouch will soon join his new team-mates at their base in Switzerland later this week ahead of Saturday's friendly against Olympiacos in Liechtenstein.

'We need to wait for the medical exam,' the Reds chief told ITV2 before tonight's Champions League first qualifying round second leg against TNS.

'He is a player that I like. We hope to see the player maybe tomorrow, maybe in two days in Switzerland.

'He is good in the air. He can keep the ball, he can play the ball. With Peter we will have other options.'

Saints chief Harry Redknapp had been very keen to retain his star striker despite Southampton's relegation from the Barclays Premiership last season.

Crouch will become the European champions' sixth summer signing and would almost certainly take their spending past the £20million mark.

Crouch caught Benitez's eye with a good display in his side's 2-0 win over Liverpool at St Mary's back in January, where he scored Southampton's second goal.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are bracing themselves for a storm of criticism from Australia over their medical treatment of Harry Kewell as the Anfield star undergoes his second operation of the summer.

Kewell last kicked a ball for Liverpool in the Champions League final in Istanbul, and had to be replaced by Vladimir Smicer before the break.

A shattered Kewell had an operation soon after the final to repair an adductor muscle tear, amid claims that he lacked commitment in some quarters.

Now, with the season just a few weeks away and Liverpool involved in a crucial qualifying campaign for next term's Champions League, Kewell entered hospital again today for a hernia operation.

It is just another in the seemingly constant injury problems suffered by Kewell last season, which saw Liverpool fans lose patience with the former Leeds man, while Benitez also showed his displeasure at the winger's attitude.

Kewell had support from his agent Bernie Mandic and former Australia coach Frank Farina, who both openly criticised the medical treatment their man was receiving at Anfield.

Liverpool's statement on their website today pointedly explained the new surgery was nothing to do with the operation he had after the European final.

It said: 'The injury is unrelated to the adductor tear operation the player underwent following the Champions League final in May.'

But there is likely to be some criticism from Australia that this is a further problem for the player in an area of the body close to the last injury.

Kewell declined to travel to Bayer Leverkusen last season for a Champions League game, which enraged Benitez, and also had to be substituted in the Carling Cup final.

Since the end of the season the player has launched a tirade against the British media claiming a vendetta, amid claims from Liverpool fans and critics that he lacked commitment.

Kewell constantly complained that he had serious injury problems in the groin area and openly questioned whether he should have an operation before the season ended.

Liverpool now say that Kewell will be back playing again in five to six weeks, but today's operation could mean the player's fears were justified.

While Kewell is fighting for fitness and his Liverpool career, defender Sami Hyypia today also launched a defiant response to claims that Benitez is about to bring in a new central defender, Real Zaragoza's Gabriel Milito, who could cost £10million.

With Newcastle reportedly interested in the Finnish defender - who is currently negotiating a one-year extension to his contract which runs out next summer - Hyypia has been quick to defend his position at Anfield.

He said: 'On the first day back in training the gaffer told me a new centre-half would be coming.

'I just said `bring it on'. Whoever joins this club has to earn his place in the team as much as everyone else.'

X-men SG

YAO MING IS HERE

from Liverpool web site:

Rafael Benitez has spoken of his excitement at the imminent arrival of Peter Crouch and explained how the England international will add a new dimension to Liverpool's game.

Crouch will finalise his move from Southampton after undergoing a medical on Wednesday. He'll sign a four-year deal with the Reds and join up with his new team-mates at their Swiss training camp.

Benitez is a big admirer of the tall striker since watching him score against Liverpool at St Mary's in January and he's relishing the prospect of having him in his ranks for the new season.

"He is a player I like," says Benitez. "I hope to see the player tomorrow, or maybe in two days in Switzerland. He is another kind of player for us. He is good in the air, he can keep the ball and play the ball.

"When you think about playing away we had many problems to keep the ball and with Peter we have many options.

"We lost eleven games away from home last season and so we needed to change things. Crouch will give us more possibilities. He keeps the ball well, he can bring others into the game and we'll be able to go forward more. I know what he can do and I am sure he will do a good job for us."

X-men SG

Tasken from soccernet:

The Reds have agreed a fee of around £7million for Crouch, who has agreed a four-year contract and will sign after completing a medical tomorrow.

£7million is a heavy price tag leh Confused

F Takumi SG

I think he’s just another Heskey …

dragg SG

he will be doing something like what heskey did. but i am sure he can do better.

unless heskey he holds the ball well and dont fall that easily.

CoolMyth SG

Crouch/Baros used in Premier League, Morientes/Cisse used in Champions League. Sinama Pongelle/Mellor used as backup.

Not a bad idea. Mr. Green

After all, Baros excel with Koller beside him. Why not Crouch? Laughing

scrub SG

liverpool will have to play more long balls in order to tap Crouch’s and morientes height. coz they usually do a lot ground passing, that’s explains why morientes is not scoring much goals last seaon.

Poolman SG

Mr. Green

Redz SG

He ain't heavy....he's our bean-stock! Very Happy

Beni n his bean-stock Mr. Green

C'mon guys, give him a chance 2 prove u wrong!

waitrose SG

Actually there's nothing wrong with Heskey. It was how he is being used that is wrong. Houllier uses a strategy which is not suitable for him. Heskey was consistently used as a target man for long balls. Although he is strong, he cannot control the ball well and cannot distribute the ball properly. I think he was ask to flick the ball to Owen. But how many times can that be successful? And that is easy to defend too.

If you look at the players Rafa bought correctly. It is obvious that he craves for wingers. And the best target for wingers is of course a beanpole. Also I think Crouch is a team player, unlike Baros. Crouch may or may not be a good buy. But I think if he is used properly, he will be an asset.

X-men SG

Southampton paid £2 million for him at the start of the 2004-05 season leh

just one season his price tag jump so much?! Shocked

I think he worth £5 million MAX. £7 million is too much. I think there a much better player with this price tag.

Oh well..... just hope he is worth the £7 million and not end up like another Diao or Kewell.

COME PROVE ME WRONG Twisted Evil

Poolman SG

We paid 7 million pounds because we're Liverpool , because we're European Champion .

That's why . Don't ku-tok now , when kutok ?

stellazio SG

and looks like baros is on his way out..but i feel that he will offer more to cisse den baros though..

X-men SG

From Liverpool website:

Crouch officially completed his move to Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon when he signed a four-year deal with the club, and becomes Rafael Benitez's sixth summer signing.

Crouch will wear the 15 shirt that was previously worn by Senegal international Salif Diao.

Does that mean Diao is going Mr. Green YEAH!

waitrose SG

I really hope that Crouch will be the new Ian Rush.

dragg SG

Everyone simply talks about his height, because he's 6ft 7in, as if that's all there is to him.

But I can assure everyone he is very good technically and his touch will be as good as the other Liverpool players, there is no doubt about that.

He's had to live with jibes about his height and I'm so pleased for him because this boy can play.

People say Liverpool will just play the long ball now. Well, when does a long pass become a long ball, I mean what are people talking about?

Peter would say his height hasn't affected him but I think it used to

Look at his touch, look at his passing, look at his control, how he lays people in, how he holds off defenders, that's the sort of player we are talking about.

There are too many people who will not look at him just because he's very tall. But look at Jan Koller, one of the best Czech strikers around - he's 6ft 7in too.

Peter has always wanted to be thought of as a good footballer.

He was in great form for a struggling Southampton side last season and he was scoring plenty of goals too.

Psychologically, he would say his height hasn't affected him but I think it used to. Now he's learned to handle the criticism and he knows he's a good player.

Crouch will be great for us, and I don't mind putting my name against that

People don't realise this, but when you are as tall as Peter, you're not neccessarily going to be a good header of the ball because playing as a kid he's never had to jump, he's just towered over everyone.

So when you come into the man's game, you haven't got that upper body strength in your spine because you've never used it. He's become a better player because he's learned how to handle his body.

Niall Quinn is a first-class example for Peter to follow. You can see the progression of his career and what he became, how he used his height and Peter could go the same way.

scrub SG

You sound like his agent, trying to protect his value.