Iker Casillas is talking up a possible move to the Premiership and Manchester United. I say we do everything humanly possible to make sure he comes to the ARSENAL.
ANYTHING!
Real Madrid want Reyes? Reyes wants Real Madrid? Come with Iker and he is yours.
Real Madrid want Ashley Cole? Ashley Cole wants Chelsea? Who cares what Ashley Cole wants, off to Madrid for Iker Casillas!
Madrid still want Paddy Vieira… today’s wildly debated and still hot, and endless topic?
Well… If Iker Casillas is the answer to the question, then I would send Paddy to Madrid for him too.
I truly believe this keeper is someone we should be doing everything in our power to get. Casillas going to United would be devestating. He would solve their keeper problems. Cech going to Chelsea hurt us quite a bit in retrospect, didn’t it. LEARN from the past. Do what we have to do, to get this young keeper and solidify this very important position that has been a big question mark since David Seaman’s demise.
Anybody have a negative on Casillas? I have seen him play for Spain. I have seen him play some for Real Madrid. I think he’s fantastic. Maybe someone gets to see him every week, and can say differently. But I think its imperative that if he goes anywhere, its to the Arsenal, not United.
37 Responses to “Ike Ike Baby!”
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March 28th, 2005 at 6:57 pm
I’ve been watching GOL TV since it just came, and while I admit up front that I am not the best person to be judging, is he really THAT good, say Petr Cech class good?
March 28th, 2005 at 6:58 pm
Stag, I had the same thoughts.
If Reyes wants to leave and if Casillas wants to leave Madrid, yes
we should to try to land Casillas.
To me he’s among the 3 best with Bufon and Dida.
Go for Casillas, but I almost sure he won’t leave Madrid.
But you never know, they let Makelele leave without even caring for a decent replacement.
I am sure Arsenal will make a bid should Casillas decide to leave Madrid.
March 28th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
My top 3 are Buffon, Cech and Iker, but unlikely he will join us. Not just abt the fee, but also our pay structure, a lot of world class players even if we could buy them, we may not be able to afford paying them the salary they are looking for. I guess that’s what generated the Cole-saga at the first place.
March 28th, 2005 at 7:13 pm
Stag
I like Casillas too but to trade him for Viera?! Are u succumbing to the anti-Viera brigade here? Come on! Wenger will only let Viera go if Viera *wants* to leave. No two ways about it. If RM wants home-sick Reyes, than lets trade. If RM wants want-away Cole, than lets talk. But Viera has not said a word this season that he wants out. He is here to stay despite what some forummers here may like.
March 28th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
I’d say that we should consider paying Casillas more. Sometimes you have to bend the rules. We are talking about solving a problem LONG TERM. Keeper could go from a weakness to a strength. It would be worth paying him in my opinion.
March 28th, 2005 at 8:05 pm
Gunner… Paddy is one of my favorite Arsenal players… EVER. Its not possible for me to go anti-Vieira. If Paddy even MENTIONS the possibility of going to Inter or Real or wherever this Summer, he’s gone. He has no more get out of jail free cards. He has NO more chances. He either stays and is thrilled to be here, or he should go.
Paddy does NOT usually say anything about leaving in season. Summer, is another story.
As much as I like Patrick Vieira, and think he is a fantastic player… I would consider him going to Real Madrid for Casillas.
a) Casillas is 23… and one of the best in the world. He will only get better.
b) We have not been able to solve the keeper problem since Seaman.
c) If United get this guy, they will be set at keeper for a LONG time.
I’m sorry, but I think that if Casillas is available, we do whatever we can to bring him to Highbury. There are too many reasons to do so.
All avenues should be exhausted.
You did notice that I mentioned the Paddy for Iker possibility LAST?! I’d say REYES! Sure… then I’d say COLE! Okay… finally, Vieira???!!!
I am tired of seeing keepers BEAT us. Time after time a keeper either saves a game for our opponent or even wins a game against us. Please, tell me when you last remember THAT type of performance for an Arsenal keeper…?
I can’t.
That needs to change.
If Casillas is available, and thats a BIG “IF”… then this is our opportunity.
March 28th, 2005 at 8:43 pm
I watched Casillas quite often and I can only say that he is up there with the likes of Buffon, Cech, etc. What I like about him is his consistency, much like Cech. He is not erratic or eccentric like Barthez or Lehmann. He always keep things simple. He IS what we need, not Beckham, not Owen, or goodness did someone say Ronaldo?
Having said that, I do feel that we may not get him. Not because we are unable to outbid ManU, but somehow I just feel that Wenger won’t do everything humanly possible (as stag suggests) to bring Casillas here. Sorry.. this must be the skepticm that grow in me due to years of seeing Wenger’s failure to buy or groom a quality keeper. And I hope I am proven wrong few months later.
And anyway, Casillas isn’t necessarily the only top quality goalkeeper around. Cech was only world famous in Championship Manager game before he moved to Chelsea.
On the side note, those who play this game know that Cech and Sebastian Saja (Argentinian no.2 currently I believe) have always been rated very highly. Now I wonder how good the real Saja is..
March 28th, 2005 at 11:25 pm
Never heard of Seb Saja!
and I don’t think a video game would / could be a good reflection of the skills we want!!!!
March 29th, 2005 at 12:20 am
as good as casillas has proven he is, does he speak english? surely we don’t want a keeper who can’t communicate with the back four….
March 29th, 2005 at 3:18 am
He played for some of Argentina’s international match, and did quite well there. But I know you are gonna to say you never heard of him stag. For example, you might not even care how good d’alessandro is, or cavenaghi, or pazzini, or bierhofka? But those are the hidden gem that is yet to be fully commercialized.
I wasn’t serious about the video game part, but the truth is, this video games data was collected with true scouting effort done by football-wise people. That’s why even before people talked about Tevez,Cavenaghi, Cech, Downing, or Chevanton like they do nowadays; those who play the game have already known these players pretty well.
Ah.. never mind.. I know few people would appreciate what I am saying, unless you already played the game and proved the accuracy level of their data.
March 29th, 2005 at 4:04 am
Casillas is a great, great shot-stopper and excellent keeper, but (and I almost hate myself for saying this), at only 6ft tall, he is pretty short for a keeper and in england teams spend a lot more time crossing or just plain lumping the ball into the box - we already know that we haven’t been the best in the air at the back this season. One of the reasons Cech has been so successful is because he can totally dominate his box with his size, which is why I thinnk it’d be better for us to go with someone like Toldo. I’d love it if we could get Buffon or Dida, but even with our ?30-50m war chest, we won’t get either. One thing is for sure, whoever we get will be better protected by the defence next year.
March 29th, 2005 at 6:18 am
Madrid can’t be that stupid in just letting Casillas go. This is all contract negotiation tactics on Casillas’ part. I really don’t see him leaving Madrid. His agent has also came out and dismissed Manure being linked with Casillas:
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=265818&CPID=23&CLID=&lid=2&title=Agent+slams+Iker’s+United+link&channel=Football_Home
March 29th, 2005 at 8:43 am
Does Cech speak English?
Just asking… I don’t know the facts.
March 29th, 2005 at 8:45 am
Toldo is not a long term answer. He is mid-thirties. Casillas would be the keeper for 10 years!
6 feet doesn’t exactly make him a midget or Paul Scholes!
March 29th, 2005 at 8:47 am
They wouldn’t be “letting him go”.
If they are interested in Jose Antonio Reyes, a budding young player, they’d have to give something in return. If they wanted Ashley Cole, they’d have to give something in return.
Not exactly letting him go. We aren’t letting Reyes go anywhere! He’d be sold or swapped.
March 29th, 2005 at 9:57 am
I’ve also been on board with this move, Stag. I think its possible for a few solid reasons.
Reyes being part of the deal is a lock. He proved that Wenger isn’t afraid to make a shock, big money deal for a player that is getting a lot of attention. While most of us see Wenger as a guy who likes to pluck gems out of obscurity, Casillas linked with Reyes just seems like a natural fit. They want him, his heart wants them, nothing stopping us here other than Wenger being a little skittish about admitting another rather big mistake.
I also believe that Casillas does want to move into England. It seems to fit his personality, from what I can tell. He’s young and hungry for the style of play. He may also be feeling a sort of reverse Vieira thing where he’s just not on the same page with the elders of the Bernebue. It must be attractive to a young keeper talent to go to a club that has a mix of youth and experience in the back five. Rumors are often just that, but we have learned the hard way on a few occasions that they are just as often based on truth. Let’s face it, when a player wants something, its best that he get it or risk having him underperform.
Vieira’s flirtation with Madrid is another plus in the deal. I’m not ever going to say that losing his abilities won’t be hard for us, but this summer there is the very real possiblity that he would want to do something else for a variety of reasons. Madrid are going to be expected to make some moves after having had a very similar season as ours (not that they’ve ever really needed a reason). And they love their high profile stars. It wouldn’t surprise me if he rode out the “I told ya so’s” and became a Galactico. I agree that it will be HIS choice, though, as others have suggested. And he may resent being a part of a deal with Jose.
As far as ManUnited’s interest, they’re in financial straights. From what I’ve read, and I have to be careful, it could be that Casillas is sounding the horn more to say he wants EPL action than saying he wants to be a Red Devil. And Wenger may be under fire, but Ferguson is taking a LOT of heat. With even TALK of there being a managerial change, United, despite their form, look a little lame. And does anyone know if Keane will be back? What if SirA does leave?
On the down side, I don’t see Cole going to Madrid. Not with the monkey chanting and racism problems that somehow seem to avoid Vieira. He almost killed Arragones on the sideline in England’s friendly with Spain. Its just not a good place for him, which is why I think he risked so much meeting with Kenyon and the arrogant b*stard who shall remain nameless.
Finally, something tells me we have more money than we think. And with Le Boss making it clear that he doesn’t plan on filling the pitch with a lot of new faces, it opens up the possibilities that he’ll drop some serious cash for a big name. But as much as I feel that’s possible, I still see us all reading about a keeper that few of us have heard of which will get us googling the bejesus out of his name.
March 29th, 2005 at 10:04 am
That is the only reservation I have about him also. There are just so many high balls in England, will he be able to claim those crosses. In every other aspect I don’t think there are any who are better.
March 29th, 2005 at 10:14 am
Scotty, I think Casillas is a tempting possibility. I don’t think We’d need to send much more than 1 of the 3 players I mentioned in return. ALL of them have their own cache’.
The off season should be interesting to say the least. Usually there is a TON of speculation and the media trying to, and succeeding in starting wild rumors. Thats why they call it the “SILLY SEASON”.
But this move could be one where it helps BOTH sides of a swap.
March 29th, 2005 at 11:50 am
AG, your points towards crossing very solid.
March 29th, 2005 at 11:53 am
http://www.football365.com
Claims Coles will use the Bosman defense, and say now that he DID know that he was meeting with Chelsea, and that its within his rights to do so under European Labor Laws!
If he goes with this defense, and admits he lied to everyone by saying he didn’t know it was Chelsea… I hope they suspend him.
The Football world is not the real world. Its much more screwed up than that.
I hope this is just another stupid media story, because there would be no way back for Ash from this.
March 29th, 2005 at 11:57 am
Far as I know, crossing the ball and heading them in is not something Unique to the English Premier League.
Why the heck is there a problem with a 6 ft. Keeper? Do we need Andre The Giant in net?
I will research the heights of keepers around the world to refute this one. (or confirm its validity)
March 29th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
good question.
i don’t know either…
anybody out there know? anybody…bueller…
March 29th, 2005 at 12:16 pm
Do you know what?
Who cares how tall other keepers are?!
This guy is Spain’s #1 keeper and considered one of the top 5 keepers in the world at age 23… and we are going to be concerned about his height and if he can play in England?!!!
Thats utterly ridiculous.
If its not a problem for Manchester United, then I doubt it would be a problem for any team on the planet.
March 29th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
This also has much bigger implications. If this story is true, and Cole does go ahead with this defence, and he wins, then the ramifications it will have on the football world will be even bigger than the Bosman ruling. We could be on the verge of a watershed moment in the history of (European) football.
March 29th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
This is a complete non story. Besides, why on earth would Casillas trade Real Madrid for Arsenal?
In fact, I can’t think of a single world class Spanish player, in his prime, that has ever moved from Spain to England in over 120 years.
Ask yourself, would you swap the weather, food, lifestyle, and footballing history and quality of teams like Valencia, Madrid, Barca etc.. for a damp, cold, non-acheiving English club? Reyes did, and look how he’s regretting it.
March 29th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
Hey, it’s football how much English do you need to know. For the money he’ll get they can slough on a tutor to work on the “right a little”, “no left”, “get that bastard”.
March 29th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Would it? Players are obviously have meetings with other clubs irrespective of the rules anyway. So what would change?
March 29th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
I agree with you, who’d want to?
Yes the weather and climate between the two - England vs. Spain. Not to mention the Sapinish ladies. We won’t even get into the food: “Will that be spam, spam and eggs or just spam and eggs?” or “Piealla”. Damn, now that we’re all on Euros they pay more in Spain.
I think if your a gardener in your off while playing soccer, England makes an excellent choice - the roses are so sweet.
I heard Figo want’s to come to the Premiership if that says anything.
March 29th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
Well as it stands now, players and clubs can be penalized for having these “clandestine” meetings (I hesitate to use that term for the Colegate affair, because, as Wenger pointed out, it was hardly an exercise in keeping a low profile). But if Cole’s defence succeeds then tapping up will be legitimized and legalized, and thereby no longer carry any threat of penalty. At least as it stands now, we have some semblance of law and order. But without this, football transfer dealings will become like Thunderdome - anything will go.
March 29th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Danny T…
It is based on a story that Casillas would:
a) have interest in playing for United
b) United have interest in him
c) Casillas wants a major pay raise
MONEY. Thats why he would go to another team, another country, another universe. Players have left Spain before. Its not Utopia.
March 29th, 2005 at 3:10 pm
Suuuuuuuuure… play in Spain, where if you aren’t Spanish, you can endure racist chants from the fans and racism at is finest from the Spanish National Team’s manager.
March 29th, 2005 at 4:16 pm
He is Spanish though.
March 30th, 2005 at 12:10 am
Spain is not exactly Utopia. Seperatist bombings. Racist fans and coaches. Its not some magical dreamworld that nobody ever leaves. Its not that far fetched that a footballer would want to go to an international city like London to ply his trade. Cash rules for the most part.
March 30th, 2005 at 8:19 am
A “video game”? Gasp… Championship Manager/Football Manager 2005 IS REAL!!! IT IS NOT A GAME, DAMMIT!
March 30th, 2005 at 11:03 am
If it’s only about money then top flight British football would have had as many Spanish imports as it has Italians, German or French players. But it doesn’t, does it?
Besides, silly season has started early this year, and ever year it gets more silly. There is no point paying any attention to these stories unless the player is directly quoted, and even then you have to read it with scepticism.
March 30th, 2005 at 12:07 pm
Well i’m glad i’m not the only one with a sense of humour “magical dreamworld”. True enough but “What the bleep do I know?” (see the movie-> http://www.whatthebleep.com/ )
With one finger pointing at Spain, I’m sure that there are three fingers pointing back at us with the bombings and racists.
I was living in New York on 09/11/01 that caught my attention and as for the fans well I’ve seen a few YOBOs in the England.
But your right it is no Utopia but then what is?
March 30th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
Sounds like typical Real mischief-making to me. Like the radio hoax played on poor Reyes, like the ludicrous claim that Vieira backed out because he was scared of the medical, the purpose of this can only be to cause trouble. They know we desperately want a good keeper, they also know we couldn’t bear it if ManU took a great one from under our noses. What better way to annoy us than to put out the rumour that Casillas has said he’d like to go to ManU because Fergie’s style of management is more attractive than Wenger’s? Why would they want to annoy us? Because they’re still miffed at Viera’s last-minute rejection of them. No one has ever turned down Real before in that way.