Julio Cesar

Armor

Lots of talk about this dude today. Skybet have suspended betting on him joining us (not that it means much)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2334338/Julio-Cesar-linked-QPR-Arsenal.html

Julio Cesar's agent has denied speculation the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper has signed for Arsenal.

Reports in Italy today suggested the Brazilian stopper, 33, had agreed a two-year-deal worth £4m a season, but agent Josias Cardoso moved quickly to deny a deal has been done.

Nonetheless, Cesar is expected to leave Loftus Road following QPR's relegation to the Championship and he is settled in London, making Arsenal one of the favourites to sign him.
On the move: Julio Cesar takes part in Brazil training ahead of their international friendly with England on Sunday... but he is about to leave QPR with Arsenal the favourites to sign him

On the move: Julio Cesar takes part in Brazil training ahead of their international friendly with England on Sunday... but he is about to leave QPR with Arsenal the favourites to sign him

Speaking ahead of Brazil's friendly with England on Sunday, a warm-up for the forthcoming Confederations Cup, Cesar told reporters: 'I want to stay in England. I am enjoying London and I love the Premier League.'

He admitted that negotiations were ongoing with other clubs, but would not reveal where he will start the 2013-2014 season.
Settled: Cesar has spoken of his fondness for England and the Premier League and is happy to stay in London

Settled: Cesar has spoken of his fondness for England and the Premier League and is happy to stay in London

'There are indeed talks with some teams, but nothing definitive,' he told Globo Esporte. 'This is the Confederations Cup moment, I have to focus on doing good work for the national team.

'I won't name the teams as it would not be ethical since I am under contract with Queens Park Rangers. I let people responsible for my career deal with it.'

Qwiss

Don't care.

Burnwinter

Feels kinda irrelevant doesn't it.

Qwiss

Yep. Can't see a new keeper making a whole lot of difference really. Not compared to say, you know a centre forward.

Burnwinter

Yep. Pissing around the edges as usual.

Tony Montana

Not even better than Sneezy imo.

Armor

Fabianski's probably off (he's unreliable anyway) and Mannone is crap. Cesar would probably command a low transfer fee and should at least provide decent cover and put a bit of pressure on Szczesny for a starting place. Makes sense if you ask me.

Captain

We need a better keeper than Chesney, not a back up.

Armor

Thats never going to happen though is it.....

Captain

Why not?

Armor

Segway

I don't see a downside to this. We need a backup keeper with Fabianski leaving and Cesar is available on the cheap. He's an experienced goalie who has won multiple Scudettos and the Champions League and who's Brazil's undisputed no. 1 when on form. If he fails, so what? In that case we have Szczesny. If he becomes a success he might become what van der Sar was to Utd or Lehmann to us.

Patters

I think he's really good. Only potential downside is that the wages he'll cost might discourage Wenger/the club from pushing forward to get another player in a bigger problem area than GK. Personally, I'm comfortable with Szczesny in goal as the long term choice.

Captain

Armor wrote:

Dropped Chesney already this season.

Mirth

Patters

😆

Irishgunner

Solid signing.

Armor

Captain wrote:
Dropped Chesney already this season.

Big difference between dropping someone due to poor form and making someone second choice.

Mirth

The only downside is that Cesar is rubbish at crosses.

Ray

Szczesny, will be first choice with Cesar as backup, looks good.