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Raul

At this moment of time, I am looking at Evertons squad. It makes pretty damn fine reading. It's not quite an Oscar Wilde novel, but its getting there.

We all know we don't have any money. We're used to it so it doesn't bother us. But occasionally we should be allowed to dream, and upon reading the Football news, to see that one Raul was now a free agent, dream I did.

Raul is one of the players of my generation. Sky Sports and its weekly Spanish football (essentially FC Barcelona or Madrid games) was a weekly fix during my teenage years, and Raul was one of the highlights.

Not particularly quick, strong, big, or skillful without being slow, weak, small or flat footed. He is one of the modern football giants. Apart from Zidane, I have never witnessed a player be so great for so long.

We talk of the invaluable influence and importance of having one Phil Neville in the squad... Well look at Raul's Pedigree:

228 League Goals, all time leading goalscorer of Real Madrid (322 in total).
44 International goals.
6 League Titles
4 Spanish Cups
3 Champions Leagues

This is the vital chapter of our squad that is missing. A player of his pedigree could only improve the squad.

Ok, he's 31/32. Ok, he's bound to be on a massive wage. Ok, he probably has an inflated ego. I know all this, but fuck, man... it's Raul!!! If you want a player who could potentially score 25+ goals in 1 season, he's the man. He might be interested in joining the Premier League.... Well, if we sign him, them we could win the bugger.

Also, if we signed Raul, could you really see Arteta wanting to leave?

We've sold Lukas and Ruddy; Got rid of Goslings wage... If we sell Yakubu then we may well be able to afford him.

If we are ever going to win the league, its going to be this season. A signing like this would make it possible.

Disclaimer: everything in this article is bollocks and should not be taken seriously.
Fran Mitchell, Liverpool Posted 26/07/2010 at 18:08:09

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Comments

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Peter Warren
1 Posted 27/07/2010 at 14:36:18

I'm not remotely interested in signing him.

Dan McKie
2 Posted 27/07/2010 at 14:47:44

It would be awesome if he came here, but it would be living in dreamland to think it could happen. Crappy end of the Champions Lleague clubs at least (like Spurs), a stupid cash per week offer (Man City) or a club looking to just exploit shirt sales here, there and everywhere (Man Utd). Of course from Raul, it will be for 'the project'.

Michael Kidd
3 Posted 27/07/2010 at 14:49:23

You have to respect anyone who writes to ToffeeWeb and refers to Oscar Wilde. Next thing you'll be using words for which a dictionary is required.

Seriously, though, nice thinking!

Christian Yandell
4 Posted 27/07/2010 at 14:34:10

Lucky you put that disclaimer in Fran!

Iain Love
5 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:10:01

We are now to good to want him.

Adam Fenlon
6 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:24:16

Not sure that I want our squad to remind me of an Oscar Wilde novel!

Tony Hughes
7 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:20:30

If by some miracle we could afford his wages he would be a good addition to the squad.The profile of the club would be raised,shirts sales would probably increase and he has a winners mentality and vast experience which could be passed on to the younger members of the squad.Most importantly though is that his legs may be gone but as a penalty box predator he's at the very least as good as anything we've got.

Chris Robinson
8 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:42:30

As a get out of (Reading) gaol card, he'd be the one, but hasn't he already signed for Schalke?

Joe Carroll
9 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:50:34

Whilst such a deal would look great in the headlines, i feel there are a few stumbling blocks and disadvantages . The first being the astronomical wages he would command (and why cant a man of his stature and accomplishments command it?).Were struggling to break the bank to keep Arteta so I doubt we'd have enough left over for his countryman.
Secondly, he's being let go from Madrid for a reason...he cant hack it anymore. I feel in his prime he would have been superb in the Premier League, but his now lack of pace would mean he would struggle to adjust.

Fair enough he's still a world class finisher, so give him the ball in front of goal and he'll score 9/10, but other factors mean it would be a no go deal.

Tom Astley
10 Posted 27/07/2010 at 15:50:43

No, not yet.

There is an offer on the table from Schalke, but he has said he will "join a team from the Bundesliga or Premier League". He is looking for a big pay-day.

He would bring good experience to any squad, and could still do a good job, if kept match fit (another Saha).

As Daan #1 mentioned though, bottom end Champs League club, or moneybags City will no doubt offer better wages than we could

Glioris Nicolaou
11 Posted 27/07/2010 at 16:14:22

I to have fond memories of Raul, but he has been in rapid decline for a while now. The way we play is so much about fitness and teamwork i just couldnt see him fitting in at this stage in his career, would possibly do well somewhere like arsenal but he's not for us.

Steve Pugh
12 Posted 27/07/2010 at 16:55:19

How different would signing somebody like Raul be from the days when we signed Gazza and David Ginola, both great players in their prime,both with lashings of experience and pedigree. Both Past it.

Jay Woods
13 Posted 27/07/2010 at 17:32:44

Chaps, Bild online is reporting (in German, mind you) that he will be unveiled as a Schalke player on Thursday, the transfer being the biggest open "secret" in Germany.

Richard Reeves
14 Posted 27/07/2010 at 17:35:59

Spot on, Steve, the days of Dad's Army are thankfully behind us and I would prefer to have Yakubu up front anyway. He might just have something to prove.

Gerry Morrison
15 Posted 27/07/2010 at 18:52:59

I'd rather sign Dorian Grey.

Chris James
16 Posted 27/07/2010 at 19:10:44

Nice one Gerry, you certainly displayed the importance of being earnest with that comment...

Aiden Doyle
17 Posted 27/07/2010 at 19:10:47

Nice disclaimer. Should be attached to all mailbag articles by default.

Jay Harris
18 Posted 27/07/2010 at 21:01:04

Fran, you should send that discaimer to Kenwright.

That might yield him another 10 years of Porkys.

Stephen Kenny
19 Posted 27/07/2010 at 22:12:00

We probably offered him a deal 9 months ago, we just didn't write anything down becuase he shook hands with the kitman in Madrid JJB once. Watch this space.

Rob Hollis
20 Posted 27/07/2010 at 22:36:18

Moyes got rid of the 'over the hill' signings and now you suggest we waste a load of cash with another?

Gasgoine is high profile again after his radio classic, perhaps we should go for him again as well?

You are not really Mike Walker or Walter Smith in disguise, are you?

Karl Masters
21 Posted 27/07/2010 at 23:09:58

I get your train of thinking, but no thanks.

We have a squad of players all with something to prove this season, whether it be coming back from injury (Fellaini, Yak, Vaughan, Jags); being overlooked by Crapello (Baines, Rodwell, Jags again); about time they won something (Cahill, Arteta, Howard, Yobo, Hibbo, Osman); making the big step up (Beckford, Gueye, Coleman, Baxter); one last hurrah (Neville); looking to impress in the shop window (Pienaar, Heitinga perhaps); or improving after an indifferent season last time out (Saha, Bily, Distin, Big Vic).

This squad is motivated, just like the team of 84-85 as it happens. Where does a slowing, been there, done it all, got the T-shirt, I want loadsamoney fella like Raul fit in to that? Answer: He doesn't.

Brian Hill
22 Posted 28/07/2010 at 04:20:23

We are all lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking at Raul.

Norman Merrill
23 Posted 28/07/2010 at 12:16:04

Been a great player, but would he be happy to sit on the bench, in our winter? doubt it.

James Marshall
24 Posted 28/07/2010 at 13:34:45

We'd be better off signing Raoul Moat.

Jay Woods
25 Posted 28/07/2010 at 14:20:27

Kicker online says he's signed a 2-year contract today with Schalke.

Will Leaf
26 Posted 28/07/2010 at 15:13:37

Knowing Raul's Intentions, I doubt he would work for Pomegranates.

Well past it and in terminal decline. To quote Oscar: "Men become old, but they never become good."

Adam Fenlon
27 Posted 29/07/2010 at 02:10:08

And if we did sign him - we should pronounce his name to rhyme with Paul - the proper English way!
He'd love it!

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