Allardyce looks at Dutch trio

[Skirge]

Allardyce looks at Dutch trio

Jun 20 2007

By Paul Gilder, The Journal

 

Sam Allardyce will scrutinise events in the Netherlands this evening, but it will not be James Milner or Steven Taylor who are of the greatest interest to a manager closing in on his third signing at St James's Park.

 

Having increased his offer for the Paris-Saint Germain defender David Rozehnal, the Newcastle boss will turn his attentions to his other targets, and with three such players expected to start for Holland in tonight's European Under-21 Championship semi-final against England, United are expected to be represented at Heerenveen's Abe Lenstra Stadion. The agent representing NAC Breda's Maceo Rigters last night insisted that he expects the Magpies will rival Celtic for the striker's signature following the tournament's conclusion.

 

Ryan Babel - the Ajax forward who attracted Glenn Roeder's interest six months ago - is also understood to be coming under renewed consideration as Allardyce attempts to increase his attacking options. And Dutch sources have named Newcastle among the `10 or 15 clubs' to have registered an interest in Feyenoord's attacking full-back Royston Drenthe. De Kuip officials are adamant the 20-year-old left-sider will not be sold this summer, but a move to the Premier League is starting to seem inevitable given Drenthe's performances in recent weeks.

 

It remains to be seen whether St James's Park will be his next destination, but there is little question that the powerful player fits the bill. With the injured Damien Duff sidelined until November and Celestine Babayaro surplus to requirements, the versatile Drenthe would be a useful addition to Allardyce's first-team squad. Sunderland are also understood to be considering a bid, although it seems Feyenoord pose the greatest threat to the North-East rivals, with Drenthe contracted to the Rotterdam club for the next four seasons.

 

"It's correct that Royston has received much attention," said coach Bert van Marwijk last night. "But Feyenoord need to keep him, he's a player the club needs and there are no financial reasons to sell him."

 

United's scouts are understood to have been at Saturday's 2-2 draw between Holland and Belgium, a game in which Drenthe scored and furthered his burgeoning reputation. Rigters was also on target and the 23-year-old is expected to be watched again.

 

"There has been a lot of interest," said Ton Smit, the player's agent, last night. "Celtic are seriously interested and Newcastle are also looking at him. We've had no official offers, but I believe both clubs will watch him against England."

 

Roeder was keen to sign Babel during January's transfer window but was unable to do so. Aston Villa and Arsenal are interested in a 20-year-old who favours a move to the Emirates Stadium, although Arsene Wenger has still to be convinced enough to lodge a bid.

 

Allardyce will be interested to see how the trio fare against an England team that will feature Milner and Taylor and, should he need further information, the United boss could seek Tim Krul's opinion.

 

Newcastle's teenage goalkeeper - the youngest player in the Dutch squad - has yet to make an appearance at Under-21 level. He will be on the bench again in Heerenveen and is in the ideal position to evaluate Rigters, Drenthe and Babel.

 

Although he has not yet featured in the tournament, Krul has no complaints. "It's just great to be here," the 19-year-old insisted last night. "It's good to be with the boys. They are the best in their age group. They all play first-team football."

 

Having had a £2m bid for Rozehnal turned down last week, Allardyce has in creased his offer to between £2.5m and £3m, although PSG have yet to respond. The French club are keen to push the price up as far as possible, but Borussia Dortmund are understood to have withdrawn their interest.

 

"I presume the negotiations will soon end with an agreement," said Pavel Zika, Rozehnal's agent, last night.

 

Allardyce - who is also keen on Marseille's Habib Beye and Liverpool's Sami Hyypia - is determined to add defensive strength to his squad as soon as possible.

 

French sources have linked United with Auxerre's right-back Bakari Sagna and Lyon's Alou Diarra, the £5.5m-rated midfielder who is reported to have instructed his agents to look into a transfer to Tyneside, having decided he does not want to join Portsmouth.

 

* FORMER Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has urged his club not to bring Craig Bellamy back to St James' Park.

 

Wales striker Bellamy, who had a disappointing first season with Liverpool and has been tipped to leave Anfield, has been linked with a return to Newcastle, where he and Shearer once formed a strike pairing.

 

But the former England striker said: "Has no one learnt their lesson about signing Craig Bellamy? If only (Liverpool boss) Rafa Benitez had rung me I would have told him exactly what he was like."

[Guest Darth Toon]

Seems to me Sam isn't telling the local press anything - this article is all just  stuff cobbled together from other sources.

 

Expect the Chronicle article tonight saying all the exact opposite.

[colinmk]

Would love it if we went for Drenthe but cant see it happening.

[Guest graemeh72]

Seems to me Sam isn't telling the local press anything - this article is all just  stuff cobbled together from other sources.

 

Expect the Chronicle article tonight saying all the exact opposite.

 

you took the words right out of my mouth

[STM]

Defenders first please.

[manorpark]

Defenders first please.

 

Exactly  -  we need about seven good quality defenders FIRST.

 

Out of the 5 defensive positions (including goalkeeper) we need, ideally, two good players in each position. That equates to 10 players (if we are to be successful) and we currently have 3 (Given/Harper/Taylor).

 

So defenders ONLY, please!

[madras]

Defenders first please.

 

Exactly  -  we need about seven good quality defenders FIRST.

 

Out of the 5 defensive positions (including goalkeeper) we need, ideally, two good players in each position. That equates to 10 players (if we are to be successful) and we currently have 3 (Given/Harper/Taylor).

 

So defenders ONLY, please!

you'd turn down another ronaldo cos we haven't signed defenders yet ?

 

"yet" being the word.

[ChezGiven]

Drenthe plays full back for his club though doesnt he?

[geordie jamie]

Ye i think he can play left back and left midfield. He has looked quality from what i have seen of him.

[toptoon]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

[madras]

Drenthe plays full back for his club though doesnt he?

i didn't just mean him,just that we shouldn't stop looking at other positions just because defenders are a priority

[Guest elbee909]

I expect him to look at Urby Emmanuelson rather than the likes of Babel.

[Nobody]

I'd be very happy with Drenthe. Never seen him play or even heard of him til just recently, but he sounds like a real prospect. Think I'd rather we took a chance on him than Baines or Shorey, though I'd be happy with either of them as well.

[Dokko]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

[Guest gggg]

He looks like he's got too much talent to play left back all his career, he'll get pushed further forward the older he gets.

[toptoon]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                    RAMAGE

NOBBY        HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR    ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

[ChezGiven]

Drenthe plays full back for his club though doesnt he?

i didn't just mean him,just that we shouldn't stop looking at other positions just because defenders are a priority

You wont get any argument from me on that one.

[mozy]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                    RAMAGE

NOBBY        HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR    ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

 

shocking lack of cover in that defence. would need at least another cb and another left back as baba is likely on his way and edgar far from natural in that position.

[Guest Johan]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                     RAMAGE

NOBBY         HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR     ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

 

shocking lack of cover in that defence. would need at least another cb and another left back as baba is likely on his way and edgar far from natural in that position.

 

What I thought too. Lets hope Rozehnal is signed to fill the squad and that we bring in atleast one more CB like Sol Campbell. Doubt we will see two new left backs though, even if it would be great and I would love to see baba leave.

[Guest SLK]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                    RAMAGE

NOBBY        HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR    ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

Where is CARR ?

[toptoon]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                     RAMAGE

NOBBY         HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR     ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

 

shocking lack of cover in that defence. would need at least another cb and another left back as baba is likely on his way and edgar far from natural in that position.

 

What I thought too. Lets hope Rozehnal is signed to fill the squad and that we bring in atleast one more CB like Sol Campbell. Doubt we will see two new left backs though, even if it would be great and I would love to see baba leave.

 

I would love campbell here too and love to add him to the list. Think we may be dreaming a bit though as i am with Richards and  Royston Drenthe. Nice dream though and stranger things have happened!

 

 

[toptoon]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                     RAMAGE

NOBBY         HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR     ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

Where is CARR ?

 

Not here hopefully.

[toptoon]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                     RAMAGE

NOBBY         HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR     ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

 

shocking lack of cover in that defence. would need at least another cb and another left back as baba is likely on his way and edgar far from natural in that position.

 

I'd like to add Campbell to that list ideally, but we are not bleedin Chelski though who can afford several top players for one position and could put a second XI out better than most teams first. Good for teams like us to have players who can do a decent job in more than one position as we can only put 5 on the bench.

 

If we got a top quality LB in, do we really really need another straight away? Edgar, Baba and Duff can all cover if needs be. Edgar (although used usually as a CB) was awesome (MOM no less) against Man u in that position before Roeder unbelievably/stupidly decided to drop him. Duff was also very good (unusually) at LB when tried. If baba gets sold then yes get someone else in, i don't think he's quite as bad as some make out although admittedly a poor season. Will be interesting if Sam does keep him.

 

 

[manorpark]

Must admit i like the sound of Hollands LB Royston Drenthe (could well be just what we need) so i'll be watching with extra interest in tonights game. See how he does in comparrison to our LB Leighton Baines.

 

Anyone any idea how tall Royston Drenthe is ??

 

My guess small, about 5ft 5-7.

 

Looked small imo, could totally be wrong.

 

This being the case, if we do get him, massive IF i know as sounds like there's huge interest in him. I really hope we get Micha Richards as a RB to add height to our back four even though he'll cost quite a bit. I'm hoping our back 4 looks someting like this:

 

 

                                     RAMAGE

NOBBY         HUNTY      EDGAR          EDGAR/BABA

RICHARDS    TAYLOR     ROZEHNAL    DRENTHE

 

 

 

shocking lack of cover in that defence. would need at least another cb and another left back as baba is likely on his way and edgar far from natural in that position.

 

I'd like to add Campbell to that list ideally, but we are not bleedin Chelski though who can afford several top players for one position and could put a second XI out better than most teams first. Good for teams like us to have players who can do a decent job in more than one position as we can only put 5 on the bench.

 

If we got a top quality LB in, do we really really need another straight away? Edgar, Baba and Duff can all cover if needs be. Edgar (although used usually as a CB) was awesome (MOM no less) against Man u in that position before Roeder unbelievably/stupidly decided to drop him. Duff was also very good (unusually) at LB when tried. If baba gets sold then yes get someone else in, i don't think he's quite as bad as some make out although admittedly a poor season. Will be interesting if Sam does keep him.

 

 

 

A question : Where you say "Good for teams like us" etc - do you not think we are moving on from that "inferior" position? Or do you think a bloke called Ashley has just thrown £133M into the river Tyne, having suddenly realised he had bought a football club, but had no idea (no PLAN) as to what to do with it? 

 

Seriously, do you not think we have moved on at all??

[toontownman]

Cant say id be unhappy at getting all of the players mentioned in the article.

 

Personally i think we could do with two left backs coming in, Baines and Drenthe would be ideal, especially the latter for his vesatility.

 

If we can get Rozehnal in he can cover CB and DM, Beye can cover RB and CB and hyppia would add great experience.

 

I thought Sagna had turned us down in favour of Arsenal, time will tell.

 

Diarra as mentioned in the DM thread would offer us height and brutality in the centre circle.

 

Babel would be a luxury maybe, and Rigters would offer cover for Viduka and Carroll should he be on loan. (whilst both can play as forwards im not sure either is a target man though)