So Robinho seems to be the next big thing that Pep wants. Really? Is that what we really need to help this team? According to both, the Spanish and English press, it seems that Robinho will be the big signing for this team during the winter transfer period.  Somehow, I think the money could be spent elsewhere.

Let’s look at the pros and the cons of this transfer possibility shall we. We will examine the pros first.  He is only 25 years old, plays on the left and is not cup tied for the Champions League. He also has a giant chip on his shoulder after the way he was treated by Real Madrid. Robinho was supposed to be getting a new deal by Real Madrid but they kept delayed it and then dangled him to Manchester United to get Cristiano Ronaldo. The deal fell through and Robinho had had enough and demanded to be transferred.  The last time the club signed a former Madridista; Eto’o helped the team win three league titles and two Champions League titles. Another motivating factor would be the fact that the World Cup is coming up soon and he wants to be match fit and in a happier environment.

However, let’s examine the cons too. Robhino’s arrival will not be cheap. According to Sport, he could come on a loan for the second half of the season at a cost of €3 million or can be bought for over €30 million.  Another issue is his attitude. Robinho has never been one to be without issues or controversy and does the club need to have someone here after getting rid of one player that the manager did not get along with.  He already had an incident with Manchester City last season with his flight to Brazil without permission allegedly. His comments that Manchester City needed to change their small-time mentality sure is not exactly music to fans ears. After what the club went through with Eto’o, why would Pep have a different feeling about Robinho?  Also, will he be well behaved off the field or will we see him out at night? Seems like too many questions marks come with the transfer. Robinho is a very talented player who I admired watching with Diego during their Santos playing days but in the end, why take such a risky and expensive gamble on him?

Ajax’s Luis Suárez is only 22 years old, can play on the left and has done well adapting to European football over at Ajax without a great supporting cast. He can play as a midfielder and as a winger. He is also not cup tied for the Champions League since he is only involved in the Europa League. 

I also doubt Ajax would ask for over €30 million and we can perhaps get him and loan them Kerrison in return. Luis is a great talented player and would benefit this club immensely with his goal scoring instincts and is three years younger than Robinho.

Another name would be Landon Donovan. He is not cup tied for the Champions League and although he has been around forever it seems, he is only 27 years old. He can come on a loan for the second half of the season and would be a great player to have rotated with Iniesta and Xavi seeing as Cesc is realistically not coming to the club this winter break.

He is a speedy player who has great control and vision, can run with the ball, set up players quite well, another lethal free kick taker and not a bad goal scorer himself too.  He is also no stranger to the team after playing against Xavi, Puyol and Piqué, in the Confederation’s Cup semi-finals and the first game of the USA tour this past summer when FC Barcelona faced off against the LA Galaxy.