Originally Posted by
4tothefloor
I think you have a slightly distorted view on Keane's career. I've always seen him as a bit of a shaper and a sulker who throws strops when things don't go his way. I don't think he has proven himself as a TOP striker actually. He's been distinctly average for many a season, save for his recent partnership with Berbatov at Spurs. What he has definitely proved is that he's a one trick pony - he can only play in one system, and that's with/off a target man in a front two. He's done f all for Ireland since Niall Quinn retired in 2002, save score goals in meaningless friendlies and against cr@p opposition like Leichteinstein. He's been abysmal for Ireland for the last 7 years.
With regard to his club career, again he can only play with target men. Dion Dublin at Coventry, Viduka at Leeds and Berbatov/Mido at Spurs. He flopped at Inter Milan (I don't accept Lippi's sacking as an excuse). He spent quite a lot of time on the bench at Leeds cos he failed to deliver in big games or to develop any sort of partnership with the other strikers. At Spurs he failed to strike up a partnership with Defoe, a player with similar qualities to Torres. Defoe was subsequently sold on. Pre-Berbatov and indeed after Berbatov initially joined Spurs, Keane often found himself warming the Spurs bench as well on a regular basis, which culminated in the famous shirt throwing incident with Martin Jol.
I struggle to believe that Rafa Benitez chose Keane 100%. For one, he did not need him as Keane occupies both Torres and Gerrard's position on the pitch. £21m on a player that would not start when all are fit or at best a player Benitez would have to change his system for to accomodate? Sorry, but I'm not buying it. I'm a Rafa critic but the man is not stupid. I think we're all beginning to see now that this transfer was pushed by the board and that clown Rick Parry to appease Rafa after the Gareth Barry saga. He clearly doesn't fancy Keane, whipping him off after 70 mins every game and sporadically leaving him out of the squad altogether.
Keane can't take the pressure at big clubs or clubs chasing trophies - see Leeds and Inter Milan. He can't perform against decent sides for Ireland either. If Spurs or City come a calling, Liverpool should take the money and RUN. I've been watching him live since he was 18 for Ireland and aside from Dirk Kuyt, I don't think I've ever seen a more frustrating player. Not top drawer, Spurs was and is his level.