Thank God this one is over with. I was truly fearing the worst, and by the “worst,” I mean “Gareth Barry Saga 2008.” Liverpool have indeed won the race to snag the English international right back, though we have paid a pretty penny for it.
Glen Johnson in an atrocious “photo shop” moment!
Time for me to rant for a second, though. I am THRILLED we got the player, so that isn’t the issue. Glen Johnson is a wonderful right back, and we’ll clearly be better for it. It is more of an issue of media treatment. Had Ferguson done this, for this price, NOBODY would criticize the cost. They’d all say “another shrewd move by the master.” Or if it was Chelsea or Man City, they’d say, “finally they are going after players of pure quality.” Rather, it is us, and therefore they say, “is it going to be another Robbie Keane? Can Liverpool afford this? Are they really going to win titles with signings like this?” UGGHHHH!!!! I’m so irritated! It is plain for everyone to see that we needed an upgrade in this position, so we have gone out and done it. What more do these media folk need?
Anyhow, the price is 17 million pounds, with about 7 mil of that being from the Crouch deal… so more like 10 mil from the current budget. Not so bad, really. He offers attacking prowess that Arbeloa- though I like him- did not possess. And more than that, he helps with the 6+5 Champions League ruling that will enforce more English talent. He may have been a bit pricy, but at least we are adding to the English core we already have, and he is a young, very talented player.
Well done, Rafa, and welcome Glen!
