The Search for the Mythical Pacey Centre Back

By: Daryl | March 24th, 2009

Russian Super-Keeper Igor Akinfeev finally signed on the dotted line, and all it took was a bit of flattery. Well, that plus £95,000 per week.

I feel a bit like I’ve betrayed Shay Given. Like one of those guys that ditches their 35 year old wife for a 25 year old girlfriend once they get successful. But £4m for Akinfeev? Couldn’t say no.

And Shay has taken it extremely well so far. Hasn’t even mentioned it in fact. I suspect he’s heavily in denial.

Now all that’s left to solve is my centre back dilemma…

I have £25m left to spend. And based on feedback from the comments, most people think I should spend it on defenders.

I’m not sure whether that’s because I really need better defenders, or because this is Newcastle we’re talking about and everyone’s used to Newcastle’s defence being consistently in need of reinforcement.

In fact I’d argue that Coloccini (who I’m considering making my new captain) and Rusol were two of my best players last year, in terms of average rating. But here’s a look at all four of my central defenders, to give you an idea of what I’m working with (click to enlarge, as usual)

Fabrcio Coloccini:

Andriy Rusol:

Steven Taylor:

Mats Hummels:

Looking at those guys, I’m inclined to be pretty happy. The only way we could improve is to sign someone with blistering pace, and finally put an end to the burnings I’ve received from speedy strikers like Fernando Torres and Robinho.

Cristian Zapata would be ideal:

But for £22m? It’s just too much.

Other targets were Micah Richards (Man City not selling, I offered as high as £35m) and Joseph Yobo (30 years old, but Everton want £10m).

What do you think? Stick with what I’ve got? Splash out that £22m? Keep looking?

In the meantime I played a few hastily arranged friendlies (forgot to ask new ass man Neil Sullivan to set me up, so had to do it myself at short notice.) Nothing major to report, except that Frederico Laurito looked good alongside The Pog (before getting himself injured for two weeks), Christian Maggio looked solid at right back, Ryan Bertrand pucnhed well above his weight at left back and Igor Akinfeev is yet to concede a goal.

Last but not least, the draw for the Champions League 3rd qualifying round has been made.

Hamburg (or HSV if you prefer) it is. Could have been worse (could have been AC Milan) but definitely could have been better. First leg is at home, and up next. Fingers crossed.