http://eurosport.yahoo.com/06032008/4/c ... mauri.html

I have seen him on C4 (?5?), and he is a big strong fast lad. If we actually ARE after him then he is a Drogba replacement. That is the sort of player that he is. Not an absolute fit, but probably as close as there is.

I thought Huntelaar was our next striker?

Is Amauri the only striker we can find? He seems okay, but again he is 27 already and made his name in Italy. The positive fact is that he is Brazilian. We already have two brazilians who would guide him etc.

I hope we try to get Huntelaar...

If Drogs leaves we are not in that big trouble now that we have Anelka. We could get a younger guy like Huntelaar to pair up with Nic. We still got Pizza and Sheva. Sheva could still be good for us and he showed some signs of it before that injury. Pizza? Don't really know..

I WANT KARIM BENZEMA

I WANT KARIM BENZEMA

seconded.

I definitely DON'T want a 27 yr old. For that sort of money, please can we actually find out own young soon-to-be superstar, who can be with us for many a year.

I definitely DON'T want a 27 yr old. For that sort of money, please can we actually find out own young soon-to-be superstar, who can be with us for many a year.

Agreed on that point. I thought for the 27million we doled out for Drogba, he was too old at the time. Not doubting the class of the player, just saying that if we are going to purchase as a normal club, that is just getting gouged

He has been valued at £25 million by Palermo.

Though is a good striker, I think at 27, he isn't worth it.

If at all Drogba leaves, I reckon he should be replaced by a striker below the age of 23 so that he lasts at Chelsea for a long time.

He has been valued at £25 million by Palermo.

Though is a good striker, I think at 27, he isn't worth it.

If at all Drogba leaves, I reckon he should be replaced by a striker below the age of 23 so that he lasts at Chelsea for a long time.

Isn't Fred around that age? (23). Would people here want him at Chelsea?

Have never seen Amauri play, but: Since when is 27 too old? Strikers should be at the peak of their powers at that age.

I would have no problem spending big money on someone of that age. All going well, we would get at least 5 good seasons out of them, which is all you can ask for.

I am amazed that anyone still thinks that 24 mil for Drogba was a bad deal. Undisputed best striker in the world last season. 2 premierships with him as our lone striker, winning goals in 2 league cups and 1 FA cup.

Put it this way TomP, would you rather spend 20 million on a player who will give you 10 good seasons or 20 million on a player who will give you 5 good seasons?.

This is where Man Utd are smarter than us in the transfer market. They still have the a number of British transfer records for players, but when they spend big on a player, they at least purchase a young player whose got alot of years to give. Rio Ferdinand's transfer (still the British record for a defender if i'm not mistaken) looks expensive, but if he gives them 10 top seasons, at the end of it all, his surely repaid that.

I agree with you in theory, qaz. If we are going to buy someone for big money, then the younger the better as it is a longer term investment.

But, buying a striker in their early 20's for big money is taking a bit of a gamble that they will develop into a world-class player in their mid to late 20's. Players in their late 20's are basically the finished article, so you get what you pay for.

If you want a good example, look at Maka. We signed him for 16.8 million as a 30 year old. On paper, thats a lot of money for a 30 year old. But, we have had 4 or 5 very successful years with him playing at the top of his game. At the time, it would probably have made more financial sense to spend 17 million on a younger player - but would he have had the same impact that Maka has had? I doubt it.

Can't really comment on Amauri as I haven't ever seen him play - but if we pay 19 mil for him and he works out the same as Maka or Drogba, I will be happy.