The question of why are we buying Alvaro from Levante is a good one, that Newcastle fans will probably be asking today.
Alvaro – why are we after him?
Kevin Keegan has said we will only bring in players who can play immediately in the Premier League, and that has commonly been translated to mean only players who have played in the league. The other criterion was that they would be better players than we already have at the club.
To us Alvaro, a center-back just under 6’0†tall (same height as Cacapa), and 28 years old is untested in the Premier League. And is he better than our 4 current center-backs Taylor, Faye, Cacapa and Rozehnal, two of which are still getting to grips with the league after 6 months at the club.
We don’t know the answer to those questions, but we would be pleasantly surprised if he is. Since Alvaro is said to be undergoing a medical at the club today, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he could be introduced as a Newcastle United player either today or tomorrow.
In case he is – here’s his playing record.
Season Club Games Goals 1997-2000 San Paolo 14 0 1998-1998 Bandiera del Brasile 16 0 2000-2003 Las Palmas 70 5 2003-2006 Real Zaragoza 102 6 2006- Levante 23 2
We think the recommendation to sign Alavro may be coming from Jeff Vetere, who joined Newcastle from Real Madrid this week, in the position of Technical Coordinator. He may have been tracking Alavaro in the Spanish League, or may have known he was a good player, suitable for Newcastle United.
But Alvaro’s signing is a bit of a mystery to us, to be quite honest. Don’t get us wrong, we hope he’s great, but he seems like another Sam Allardyce summer signing – all over again.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
69 comments so far
toon1978
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Comment #1Hope he proves to be a god signing because this signing aint exciting at all.
Macas
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Comment #2Well he looks like a mean bugger from the picture, let’s hope he can play as well!
true
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #3If he can defend he can only be a good signing.
James
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Comment #4Jiminez (our new technical bloke) is a big fan of Alvaro, so I expect this rumour to be true.
Plus Side :
He speaks fluent Spanish from his many years in La Liga so he will help Enrique settle in more.
Cons :
He plays at the heart of Levante defense who have SHIPPED 39 GOALS IN 21 GAMES. In what has been described by the Spanish press as the worst La Liga defence in years.
Not the place to go looking for a defender is it?
Martin
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #5If Vetere feels that Alvaro is worth signing and then turns out to be crap then we have a bigger problem. If this “super scout’s” first signing is a mistake and fails what does that bode for the future. Fingers crossed he is quality and we can add to the team before tomorrow’s deadline.
James
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Comment #6It’s not Vetere that wants him. It’s Jiminez who has always admired him.
As for Vetere found a good link about him from Real Madrid :
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/nufc/Red-Madrid-sad-losing-talent.3724975.jp
Macas
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Comment #7James – how do you know this about Jiminez admiring Alvaro?
Miguel El Geordie
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #8I live in Spain and I’ve seen this guy play a few times. Gotta say he doesn’t look anything special, but what do I know, I’m only a fan. Maybe our new scouting supremo has better eyesight than me
Matt Lacey
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #9I think we at least need cover at LB, otherwise we end up playing one of our best players in defence where he doesn’t belong.
If he can help get the best out of Enrique then all the better.
Not an exciting signing but hopefully a somewhat useful one… still hoping to see if we get Barnes (and Kalouda) before the end of tomorrow…
wsq
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #10fat hope! he’ll be flop just like the others. with the lack of creativity and quality on the wings.. always expect us to struggle
Hadrian
Jan 30, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Comment #11if its verette’s first import , i doubt he’d want to start off on a bad note .
this player must be decent enough for us to want to bring him in , and tobe fair , we havent been in sapin all season watching him play like our new technical director has been .
Davey
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Comment #12Saw him play at levante when there on holiday, head and shoulders above the rest of the team, fats acurate passing, leaps like the proverbial salmon. Cracking player – just hope keegan wants him not the numpties in the board room. bring back phillipe albert!!!! lol :o)
Cyprus Toon
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Comment #13Unsure as to why we’d buy someone like Alvaro when we already have 2 CB’s who after 6 months are unable to cope, we need to get someone like Sol Campbell in with Taylor & Faye, at least he’s got plenty of experience & will always help our CB’s out in a coaching role too!
If we don’t get any decent players in, in the next 36 hours, I hope Ashley keeps his promise of spending big in the summer or next season will be as dyer as this one 🙁
ourman
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Comment #14You quite obviously haven’t seen him play. How can you question without knowing anything about his ability?
As regards the rest of the defenders – only Feye and Taylor come close to being good enough. We need more strength in depth if nothing else.
AdamCF
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #15Probably a tad short.. but hey, he can’t be any worse than the current CB’s. I just hope he’s not the only signing 😉
toonloon
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Comment #16He may not be too bad a signing at all. I saw him play twice for Real Zaragoza. He DID stand out in games against Barcelona and Valencia. Hard bugger and fast on his feet. And don’t forget he has something of a winning record. In Spain, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup and in Brazil was a three-time club championship winner. Could be a good one.
MEESTER MEESTER LADY
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Comment #17looks good to me
James
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Comment #18I’ve seen him play loads this season and last, and he has been awful – hence levante leeking so many goals
magpie malaysia
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Comment #19who is he actually..it seems spanish side levante players not really at the top good players..alvaro huh..well he really looks like not really good to cover..but i still thinks kalouda will be a vey good signings..sell away barton immediately gor god sake..if newcastle want be in the llike 1996-97 den sell away trouble maker n disgrace player like barton..n pls keegan..signed a left back,a potential bentre back,n a good,smart n creativity cente midfield.
Zero
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Comment #20We don’ need another CB, i think the 4 we have are capable players, after watching last nights game against the gunners, we lake power up front, duff, milner, owen, smith, butt, must all go, they contribute nothing to the team and we dont even look like we can threaten to score a goal, ok, i understand that it was aginst arsenal, but still!!
Pete
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Comment #21Ridicilous signing, especially after reading Keegan’s comments about only signing world class players from the continent or players with PL experience
Steve H
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #22Why do we always question everything the management are doing? It leads to bickering and argument and unrest. But worst of all it gives ammunition to any journalist or numbty with a website to say look at the Geordies, stupid gets who think we have a god given right to success. Success takes time and tolerance and support, not questioning and vitriol. For Fooks sake. Just get behind the team and trust that the owner and management have invested a lot for us. They have got rid of Fat Fred S…. Lets give the team a shout and support them through the hard times ahead. Apologies for the rant.
Steve
wsq
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #23quality on the wings is lacking! no nobby solano no pace from dyer no hard tackle from parker..
all allardyce’s fault..
now we’ve got geremi.. what does he do. smith.. impotent.. barton.. thug!
kobrakai75
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Comment #24We need a solid leader at the back to take control (someone like Sol Campbell as has been mentioned), I agree with Taylor and Faye being our best pair – not too impressed with Cacapa (looks lost) and Rozehnal (looks weak) so far. We lack creativity in midfield and might have to wait until the summer to address that issue.
Tom_Toon
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Comment #25what a fkin joke!
What happened to Tissone hes a creative/attacking midfielder, exctly what we need.
ELFER
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Comment #26BARNES would be best possible signing at the moment. Please do not bring an not PL tested 30year old again!!
James
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Comment #27How about a cheeky bid for Flamini? His contract expires in the summer and he has refused to sign a new one with Arsenal saying he wants to “keep his options open”
Martins
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Comment #28I hate why we buy crap.
Mark
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Comment #29James talks sh1t!
Tissone is getting tied up in 300k deal.
Is this Alvaro, also a target for Brum, really the player we want? Are birmingham our f^^^ing competetion!? F*ck off.
Tom_Toon
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Comment #30How bout a cheeky bid for a good player for once!
GM
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Comment #31how come smog central can get a £12 million striker and they are f’g shite with no crowd and we are struggling to find a few million for barnes, kalouda etc
MA WHERE IS THE CASH???
Kash2
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Comment #32Cacapa was absolute garbage last night, and he’s looked worse an worse for me since Portsmouth. His legs aren’t upto the Premiership and he loses his position far too many times. Plus, Taylor has been holding the back line and why oh why is Cacapa positioned deeper than him???? Cacapa has to go, he’s not an EPL defender, but I think in Europe he will be quality. Rozey has more about him, as he can play and he’s quite quick. He needs time to adjust definitely!
I hope Alvaro is quick and a tight marker, as well as good in the air. If he is, then he’ll be an asset!
Southside Jordy
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Comment #33SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!! Barnes is our man and there is plenty of room for growth in him…….Alvaro……WHO ARE YOU????
Bill F
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Comment #34See Lyon have just signed a quality CB name of Bingbang or something, have we missed out again. 😉
GM
Jan 30, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Comment #35if we dont get an attacking/creative midfielder i just hope that emre pulls his finger out and starts playing the way we know he can, i was so pissed when he finally got his chance against stoke, after the fat tw@t had left him out constantly, only to be bloody stupid and get himself sentoff, i think this maybe our only hope for creativity till the summer…hope i’m wrong though
broon ale
Jan 30, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #36I don’t believe KK should even consider the transfer window at this time. For fxs sake there are four players away in Africa that he hasn’t even met yet. Some of whom look to be great additions to the Toon – Beye and Faye.
We are not going to be high flyers this season, but at least with the current squad and Management we can expect steady progress up the league.
Give KK time to consider what we have and what we need, and then swoop in mid-May in good time for next season
Tom_Toon
Jan 30, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #37Who Bill f?
ahh Boumsong!
broon ale
Jan 30, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Comment #38p.s, do we remember, boumsong, babyaro, amdy faye and the gooch!
january signings, i rest my case!
t-g-w
Jan 30, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Comment #39Add Woodate to the list of Januay signings – best Newcastle defender I can remember.
Tom_Toon
Jan 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Comment #40‘Why are Newcastle after Alvaro’?
Because we are fast becoming mugs.