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Hmmm, interesting. Will Rafa hold out on this and chance not getting anything in a year when Crouch surely leaves to get more playing time somewhere else or will he take the money now, and possibly use it for someone else? Say one Gareth Barry......

JMG84 | 07/04/08, 10:37 AM

This is the craziest thing I've ever heard! 20mil for Crouch? I wouldn't even pay 20p for him! I must have been living in a cave for the past year and failed to notice that Crouch has transformed himself from the man walking on stilts at a carnival to a world class striker. This is just highway robbery on Liverpool's part! Which begs me to wonder if Rafa was wearing a ski mask and holding a gun to Harry's temple during negotations. For around 15mil less you can get Gudjohnsen, who is a solid, no frills striker, who has prior EPL experience.

Barca4Life | 07/04/08, 11:25 AM

i'm sure 20 mil could be much better spent then on peter crouch!....friggin outrageous!

Coisty1966 | 07/04/08, 11:28 AM

Pull the trigger Rafa...we're not going to get a better offer than that. Crouch could be a great assest to a mid-table team, but he doesn't have the pace to play in the top 4.

It must be noted that in a system other than Rafa's, he could be much better than he is now. Can't say that he's been treated justly at Liverpool.

YNWA

Shadow Angel | 07/04/08, 11:31 AM

20 million is a great price for him! We'll sell him for that any day of the week. With that money we can get more dependable players and maybe make a move for the EPL title next season.

Keeper | 07/04/08, 11:38 AM

This seems like a good deal for both clubs. This is about what I'd think Crouch's worth would be, we could use the money, and he'd be a good fit at Pompey (finally Niko would have something to aim at).

I'm sure this is just smoke from Rafa, he'll take it.

cowace2 | 07/04/08, 01:33 PM

Crouch does need to leave, he deserves to get more playing time than he gets now at lpool

CUtigerssoccer | 07/04/08, 05:00 PM

Liverpool has to accept this offer because they are gonna recieve way more than what Crouch is really worth.

A.J. BS | 07/05/08, 12:02 PM

Rafa's insane if he thinks he'll get 15 million pounds for Crouch when he only has a year left on his contract. Just take what you can get Rafa, seriously.

sallymander | 07/05/08, 02:09 PM

I want to see Crouch get more playing time.

Big Chaco | 07/05/08, 02:12 PM

what's crazy is that if portsmouth are willing to spend 20mill on a striker, why not someone else? why the robot?

I'd Rather Walk Alone

pezeeunited | 07/05/08, 04:56 PM

Actually I think partnering Crouch with Defoe could work out for Portsmouth. Since Defoe is so short already. 10 million pounds isn't a colossal investment, and I don't know if they could find another striker who fits as well as Crouch does for that sum.

sallymander | 07/05/08, 05:20 PM

cowace's .02 on Crouch...ha:

Crouch is one of these great engimas in the game. I think he is tremendously talented, but he has been badly misused most of his career, and that makes people underestimate him a bit.

The thing about Crouch is that he really isn't that great in the air. People look at a guy who is 8'2", and they assume "TARGET MAN" (Rafa), when Crouch really isn't great in that role. He's tall, of course, and for balls that are driven straight to him he'll win most of the time, but if you notice, he hardly ever jumps or moves his position to find balls that aren't moving straight for his head. The great aerial players (Klose, Toni, Almeida, etc) are both strong enough to shrug off defenders and quick enough to get to a wide range of balls...Crouch is not. Crouch also can't shoot well and has no nose for goal whatsoever (watching him and Kuyt as a striker pair was like watching two blind, retarded mice go hungry in a room full of cheese).

However, Crouch has a superb first touch, great ball control, and is an outstanding passer. He SHOULD be a great fit in a system that takes advantage of his strengths (eg, not Liverpool), where he's used in a very traditional #10 role and isn't asked to do more than he's able to. Linking up a very talented Portsmouth midfield with a goal scorer like Defoe should be a good fit for him.

cowace2 | 07/05/08, 05:45 PM