January 2014 Transfer Window

[Nerf]

Yeah, because 'world-class' is exclusive to Messi and Ronaldo.

[MDK]

Hence why I added Lisbie and Ibra, duh.

[METALMAN]

I think you are stretching the term 'world class' a bit much

Best player for his national team, two time Player of the Year in arguably the best league in the world for the champions. Yeah, I don't think I am.

Let's put him being best player for Japan aside. Being their best player doesn't demonstrate world class, because Japan aren't that good. Not to mention that Kagawa being Japan's best player is highly debatable. But let's put that to the side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinji_Kagawa#Individual

No player of the year awards either. But let's put that to the side too.

These imaginary accolades were two years ago. That doesn't matter anymore. He's 24. He should have progressed. He should have developed. He hasn't. He isn't world class by any definition.

[Nerf]

I think you are stretching the term 'world class' a bit much

Best player for his national team, two time Player of the Year in arguably the best league in the world for the champions. Yeah, I don't think I am.

Let's put him being best player for Japan aside. Being their best player doesn't demonstrate world class, because Japan aren't that good. Not to mention that Kagawa being Japan's best player is highly debatable. But let's put that to the side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinji_Kagawa#Individual

No player of the year awards either. But let's put that to the side too.

These imaginary accolades were two years ago. That doesn't matter anymore. He's 24. He should have progressed. He should have developed. He hasn't. He isn't world class by any definition.

http://www.futaa.com/football/article/kagawa-named-bundesliga-player-of-the-year

[Crybaby Bunting]

By that logic Gerami was a World Class player at some point.

[METALMAN]

Readers of an African magazine made him Bundesliga player of the year, whoopdeedoo.

This is the real thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footballer_of_the_Year_in_Germany

[Colly]

My favourite line from Nerfs link:

"The first 15 games of the season saw Kagawa score four goals and provide four substitutes."

He was pregnant that season. Incredible.

[9 to 5]

The way I define "World Class" is if said player could walk into just about any team in the world. I don't think Kawaga would.

[METALMAN]

Well he's struggling to get into a substandard Man Utd team as it is.

[brenchill]

Kagawa is rubbish.

Let's stop this now.

[Baddar]

I wanted, and still want Kagawa to do well. But the fact is, his performances, through the middle or out wide, haven't come anywhere near the level expected following his reputation in Germany.

[MDK]

Nerf is like my scouts in FM

[King Ellis]

Nerf is like my scouts in FM

Paid £25 a week part time?

[MDK]

Nerf is like my scouts in FM

Paid £25 a week part time?

Only with overtime

[stokeriño]

CFC officially confirm fee agreed for Salah - still his personal terms and medical to come.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3634770/title/salah-transfer-agreed

[brenchill]

Told you they had something in the works!

[Szumi]

C'mon Liverpool - pull a Chelsea and steal him!

[stokeriño]

So...feeling a bit better about our AM ranks, at least in terms of cover:

Hazard/Schurrle - two right-footers who will predominantly play on the left wing.

Oscar/Willian - can play either in the centre on on the wing in equal measure

Salah - left-footer on the right wing

Whether Salah turns out to be super or merely "sort of okay" in a Victor Moses way...well who knows.

[Nerf]

C'mon Liverpool - pull a Chelsea and steal him!

He's not worth £16m. I'd be excited for depth at £10m, but not that price when he's gonna struggle to get games over Sterling and Coutinho.

[DavidMarrio]

Haven't seen enough of Salah to really comment on it being a missed opportunity or not. I know we were meant to have bid 12mil and thought 16 was a bit too much.

I can see our only January signing being the partnership we signed with Dunkin Donuts...