Robbie Keane

[Peadar]

So you're really the one being selfish when you say you'd prefer to see him sign for Shels

No, because it isn't my wish for anyone with quality to sign for Shelbourne.
I simply used that as an example of how much I would dislike Robbie Keane to move to Glasgow Celtic.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd like to see him at Celtic and wouldn't be too shocked at all if it happened. The board have said they'll do "all they can" to sign Bellamy but I see 2 problems there. Firstly Bellamy has never said he'd like to stay yet and secondly, the chances of the current board shelling out £6m plus another £6m on wages for a 3 year deal are pretty slim.

What's the chances on them geting Robbie for £4m-£4.5m to appease the fans?? That would keep us happy

Not as unrealistic as some might think...

I'd prefer to see him hold down a regular spot with a good Premiership side. I'm not totally convinced about Everton - they're too erratic.

I just don't buy into this idea that a club like Spurs needs 4 top strikers and similarly I don't see how rotating strikers is a good idea. Arsenal practically only have one striker. Chelsea don't rotate. You rarely see teams rotating centre-halves or goalkeepers - other confidence positions.

I don't have the stats but it looks like none of Spurs' strikers has benefitted from the rotation. Defoe's contribution has dropped, Kanoute's too.

Likewise at Birmingham, I'd be interested to see how many goals have Pandiani, Blake, Clinton & Heskey got since January - more or less than when they had 2 regular strikers? Pandiani made an instant impact but has done little since. Likewise Mido I think.


A move to Celtic would have benefits. His biggest weaknesses are his one-on-ones (the Faroes game, Croatia and a lot of other games) and his heading (that sitter against Brazil, that chance in Paris, an awful effort in Tel Aviv). You'd have to think that he'd improve these at Celtic because (a) they tend to dominate matches, and (b) he'd benefit from excellent service. Goalscoring is a habit & Robbie needs confidence.

A regular start at a top English club is his best option. Rotating at a decent English club or a regular start for Celtic rank about the same in my view, maybe Celtic just shading it. We need Robbie to be scoring & to feel wanted if we're to get the best out of him.


Question: Robbie vs Milan Baros - who's better? Could he do a job at Liverpool?

[tetsujin1979]

I'd prefer to see him hold down a regular spot with a good Premiership side. I'm not totally convinced about Everton - they're too erratic.

I just don't buy into this idea that a club like Spurs needs 4 top strikers and similarly I don't see how rotating strikers is a good idea. Arsenal practically only have one striker. Chelsea don't rotate. You rarely see teams rotating centre-halves or goalkeepers - other confidence positions.

I don't have the stats but it looks like none of Spurs' strikers has benefitted from the rotation. Defoe's contribution has dropped, Kanoute's too.

Likewise at Birmingham, I'd be interested to see how many goals have Pandiani, Blake, Clinton & Heskey got since January - more or less than when they had 2 regular strikers? Pandiani made an instant impact but has done little since. Likewise Mido I think.


A move to Celtic would have benefits. His biggest weaknesses are his one-on-ones (the Faroes game, Croatia and a lot of other games) and his heading (that sitter against Brazil, that chance in Paris, an awful effort in Tel Aviv). You'd have to think that he'd improve these at Celtic because (a) they tend to dominate matches, and (b) he'd benefit from excellent service. Goalscoring is a habit & Robbie needs confidence.

A regular start at a top English club is his best option. Rotating at a decent English club or a regular start for Celtic rank about the same in my view, maybe Celtic just shading it. We need Robbie to be scoring & to feel wanted if we're to get the best out of him.


Question: Robbie vs Milan Baros - who's better? Could he do a job at Liverpool?

Wouldn;t he just be swapping Defoe and Kanoute for Cisse (next season) and Morientes?

[Stuttgart88]

I'd forgotten about Cisse. Baros could be on his way out though.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Just because guys appear to be misfits in English football doesn't mean they can't be quality international strikers, e.g., Baros.

[eirebhoy]

TOFFEES LINE UP £10M SPURS PAIR

Everton will launch a £10million summer raid for Spurs duo Robbie Keane and Simon Davies whether they clinch a Champions League place or not.

David Moyes has transformed the Toffees this season but has seen their lead over arch rivals Liverpool in the race for elite European football trimmed to just one point with seven games remaining.

They have lost four of their last five league games and exited the FA Cup after defeat to Manchester United - and many pundits and fans blame the slump in form on the lack of creativity in the team since Thomas Gravesen left to join Real Madrid.

Moyes pondered a £5million move for Wales winger Davies in the January transfer window but was put off by injury troubles.

Davies is now fully fit, though, so the Everton chief is expected to renew his interest in the summer and throw his hat into the ring for Republic of Ireland star Keane as well.

Keane is unsettled at White Hart Lane after failing to command a regular first-team place under boss Martin Jol this season - and his mood will not have been lightened by a £10,000 fine this week.

Moyes sees Keane as an ideal strike partner for James Beattie, who arrived at Goodison Park in January, and will be given funds whether he secures a place in the lucrative Champions League or not as they look to build on this season's progress.

[anto1208]

i saw this as well would be a great move for keane he would be first choice at everton and he needs to be playing to stay sharp for ireland

[Dublin12]

If he can't hold down a first team place at spurs,why will everton be such a good move for him,how many clubs does he need to go to before he finds his feet

[eirebhoy]

If he can't hold down a first team place at spurs,why will everton be such a good move for him,how many clubs does he need to go to before he finds his feet

The amount of clubs he was at has nothing to do with finding his feet.

Wolves -> Coventry - Step up
Coventry -> Inter - Step up
Inter -> Leeds - Manager sacked
Leeds -> Spurs - Leeds in a state

[Stuttgart88]

i saw this as well would be a great move for keane he would be first choice at everton and he needs to be playing to stay sharp for ireland

Would he be first choice? They have Ferguson (to be released this year though?), McFadden, Beattie and that guy Bent who looks really talented. And they frequently only play one up front.

Was watching last night at how well Gudjohnssen played in a midfield role. I wonder would Robbie benefit from playing a bit more withdrawn. He's always dropping back to look for the ball anyway.

[Dublin12]

Robbie's just alright,he's an average striker in the premiership,imo he's not a world class player,he does better for Ireland than he does at his club because we don't have much choice in that department,as far as i can see he's reached his peak and if he doesn't get some stability at his next club it'll be downhill from then on.If he was as good as people made out he would've made a name for himself at Inter and been first choice striker at Leeds.But saying all that I really do hope it all workds out for him.

[anto1208]

everton play one up front coz they only had one striker all year ( bent ) faddy is a winger really and dunc is only good for about 30 mins .

bent all though works his socks of has a wonderfull first touch and can work space really well couldnt finish his dinner !!.

with beattie keane and bent as the strikers, first choice would be beattie and keane so he would play a lot more than at spurs where he is 4th choice .

[anto1208]

Robbie's just alright,he's an average striker in the premiership,imo he's not a world class player,he does better for Ireland than he does at his club because we don't have much choice in that department,as far as i can see he's reached his peak and if he doesn't get some stability at his next club it'll be downhill from then on.If he was as good as people made out he would've made a name for himself at Inter and been first choice striker at Leeds.But saying all that I really do hope it all workds out for him.

naw he does well in the prem look at the amount of goals he gets around 15 to 20 which is good for any striker , but as you say not world class .
cant agree with the comment that he does better for ireland any time ive seen spurs play he is really good all his little flicks and dummy's he trys for ireland come off for spurs .

but he needs to settle at a club and being in the first team week in week out at a club like everton would do wonders for him .

[livehead1]

i dont think beattie has a prayer of playing ahead of robbie keane. strachan said recently that for beattie to be a good player he needs to be 110% fit and playing every single week....now everton will not spent 6million on keane to play him every fortnight cos they aint that kinda club, and in playing keane they will be leaving beattie out meaning he will lose fitness and if strachan is right (which he probably is,having managed beattie) then keane will be first choice. scenario i see happening if he did go to everton would be to acomodate the pair of them....

btw, mark my words keanes going to villa in the summer! i've put a 5er on it, well worth it

[thejollyrodger]

--------X--------
X----ROBBIE----X
-------X-X-------
------------------
X------X-X-----X
-----KEEPER-----

4-2-3-1

I think thats robbies best position. Playing in the hole just behind another striker, preferable one who is good in the air. He is good in holding up play, bring other players into it and also can have a shot too. He is very good with scraps and anything around the 6 yard box.

He has a lot of problems in his game though, he rarely picks one thing and does it, he keeps changing his mind and ends up doing nothing (and losing the ball).

Personally I dont think Robbie will ever become a top striker, i.e. ronaldo, raúl, etc. They all just do one thing but do it really well. Ronaldo gets the ball and runs at goal and shoots. Raúl has the turn and shoot.

Robbie doesnt really know what he is at himself. He just bundles along and hits the ball a reflex kick. The schoolyard tricks and flicks were never taken out of him and I dont think Robbie wants to change.

Ireland really needs to be looking for a proper out and out striker. He needs to be properly taught all the technical skills and just to do ONE THING. The problem is that there is nothing much coming through

[carnstien]

but he needs to settle at a club and being in the first team week in week out at a club like everton would do wonders for him .

Thats what they said when he went to Spurs boss, but ya, I agree, he'd be better off with Everton as things stand.

[The Legend]

he's also a couple of nuggest short of a happy meal!

[anto1208]

i dont think beattie has a prayer of playing ahead of robbie keane. strachan said recently that for beattie to be a good player he needs to be 110% fit and playing every single week....now everton will not spent 6million on keane to play him every fortnight cos they aint that kinda club, and in playing keane they will be leaving beattie out meaning he will lose fitness and if strachan is right (which he probably is,having managed beattie) then keane will be first choice. scenario i see happening if he did go to everton would be to acomodate the pair of them....

btw, mark my words keanes going to villa in the summer! i've put a 5er on it, well worth it

am everton will be back to 442 with beattie and keane starting every week , we played 1 up front this year coz after rooney rads leaving we only had 1 striker in bent .

[anto1208]

Thats what they said when he went to Spurs boss, but ya, I agree, he'd be better off with Everton as things stand.

yea and he was fans player of the year for 2 years running and i think top scorer , jol comes in and tells him he isnt part of his plans buys a new striker make robbie 4th choice through no fault of his own . he is still scoring for them he has over 15 goals this year (all comps ) then jol fines him 10 g and makes him train with the reserves coz he got upset at not getting played .

its hard to stay at a club that doesnt want you . think he should go to everton apparently its going to be 9 mill for him and davies

[FarBeag]

He has got to go.There is no use in hanging about at Spurs as he will get more and more frustrated.I really don't think he will get regular games which he needs.There are two problems though. 1) Which club does he go to?He needs one that suits his style of play and keeps him match fit. I would hate to suggest one.2) He needs to find a club that he intends to stay at for the rest of his career. Robbie has moved around so much for a player of his age, i think what people percieve as another failed move could be disastrous
for him psychologically.

[Closed Account 2]

Its strange when you look at strikers the Spurs have signed and sold since Keane joined them.

When he joined them they had old strikers in their squad, Les Ferdinand, Sheringham, Rebrov (who was never really at the club, always on loan etc) and Iversen (not that old, but a pretty useless striker). So when he signed for them things looked good from his point of view, there was competition but Robbie was clearly going to be a choice for the future.

At the time they signed him, iirc, they also got Acimovic (a Slovene attacking midfielder who could also play upfront) from Red Star, he didnt do much and was sold a season or so later, so no real problems for Robbie.

Then after they signed him, the following summer they also signed Hélder Postiga (from Porto), Kanouté (from West Ham) and Zamora (from Brighton) this was still during Glenn Hoddles time in charge. So the competition was increasing, but Robbie was still probably the first choice striker. Kanouté was very injury prone (and then went to the African nations cup), Postiga and Zamora were unproven. Then around January the Spurs signed Defoé off West Ham and sent Zamora the other way as part of the deal. This was when Pleat was a care taker.

This was a significant move as it meant Robbie had genuine competition at the Spurs for the first time. There were 4 strikers going for 2 places, however in the next summer (ie summer 2004) Postiga went back to Porto, so the Spurs had 3 strikers going for 2 places (Robbie, Kanoute and Defoe). This wasnt a bad state of affairs for Robbie, as it meant he would still see a lot of action. This continued when Santini joined, and although they signed Edson from PSV he was unproven and didnt break into the squad (went back to Holland on loan).

Things took a bad turn for the worse when, after Jol took over, Spurs signed two strikers Mido and Mounir el Hamadoui (youngster from Dutch league) in January, so in the space of 18 months (and 18 months when he played reasonably well) he went from being a more or less certain starter to apparent 3rd or 4th striker.

If I was Robbie I'd hand in a transfer request, as his future at the Spurs looks very limited, he needs first team football and if the coach is picking Mido ahead of him then he should go elsewhere. Every cloud has a silver lining and if Robbie did leave the Spurs it might give Yeats a chance on the bench should either Kanoute get injured or Mido not produce on the pitch.

If I was Robbie I'd try for a move to Everton, Villa or maybe Newcastle, if they dont re-sign Kluivert.