Sky Sports reports that Guardiola's agent has said that he is not signing for Brescia. I used to think that this would be a poor signing (mercenary, high wages etc, too old to build a team around). I've changed my mind, though. Can we have him please?

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Answers

We need strength in m/f. We were cr@p in that dept today.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

It seems that none of our midfielders can have consecutively good games.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Well at least BR KNOWS we need a new midfielder. i thought Carrick was good for them but then I'm always on about him coming to us. Why would he though after that performance.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Guardiola? Get him signed up fcs - even Robbie bloody Savage would have been an improvment on the pile of dung served up today.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

There is something definitely off with Guardiola. He's a top player, no mistake (seen him here in Barca a good few times) but....

No one wants him. Why? Everyone is INTERESTED but can never agree terms. The circumstances of his resignation from Barca were also unexpected and decidedly odd.

Obviously, I pay little heed to the main rumours (he has AIDS etc.) but I'd like to know why NO ONE can agree terms with such a top footballer. It can't be just the money - clubs know what they'd have to pay for him. He seems to be a good bloke too.

I'd love to see him in B&W. But I'm curious...

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Steve, I was wondering whether YBR had blackballed him from the PL - I know a number of PL managers consulted him about Guardiola. Also, I guess a number of clubs may be waiting for him to drop his wage demands which he will surely have to do.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

I'm wondering, Dougal, if we aren't witnessing an extreme case of Greedy Agent Syndrome, possibly fatal to the subject's career.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Steve - Guardiolas perception of his talent and worth is slightly divergent from that of the rest of the football world. From what I understand he was after 50K a week net of tax which in the UK would cost a club almost 100K a week. He also seemed to rule out playing for clubs who weren't involved in European competions.

He has now missed the boat for European competion and will probably have to also lower his sights financially. I'm not sure if he's the dominating ball winner we need but if he has held down a place at Barcelona for years he must have something. At 40K a week gross I think it's worth having a look at him and offering him a 3 month initial contract with a view to something more long term if he impresses. I can hardly imagine BR rubbishing Guardiola even if they had some of history. By all accounts BR tried to sign Guardiola earlier this summer - therefore I'd say the blackballing rumours are just bull.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001

Guardiola certainly isn't the Keane / Batty type that I've said in other threads that we need. He is, however a VERY skillful, intelligent player. There would be a place for him in most teams. However, most Barca fans laugh at the idea of him playing in England, purely because he's too frail. They feel that he couldn't hack the pace and physicality of the PL and I can see their point. If and only IF he has the character to adapt to the rough and tumble, he'll be great. Most here believe he'll go to Italy.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2001