I think his best attribute is his passing, especially when he's able to link play and be at the hub of things. He won't play in the 'midfield' but in the hole, with two defensively strong midfielders behind him. He's pretty quick and can dribble well, but it's his passing and general decision making that I rate.

I think in terms of creative, through ball passing, he's already the best in the league, him or Fabregas anyway, whilst I think his ability to playmake in the hole will make him a top signing for City. He's not as direct as somebody like Gerrard, but he's a better decision maker and passer.

Dunno if this has been reported on here, but I see that Benitez has given donations to a few more Merseyside charities.

rlA care homerl rland the Rhys Jones memorial fundrl

I wonder if LGJM still thinks it's all a publicity stunt?

These are the comments in the very story you linked totrue genuine people.Shame on David Mooores,Rick Parry and those blood sucking Yanks!

What dignified people we have had in our midst, Rafa and his wife donating to the good causes in the area puts the "yanks" to shame. Rafa has cemented his legacy amongst the people of merseyside, even if you are not a red or a blue, you cant help but be touched by thier gesture of generosity.

I think we should start a campaign to get Mr and Mrs Benitez the Freedom of Merseyside or even Liverpool and Wirral.They are truly genuine kind hearted people with all their donations and hard work behind the scenes around Liverpool.I think Liverpool players who are about to jump ship because he is gone should think twice and have a good look in the mirror and say to themselves,I'm not having those Yanks push me out of this great club! YNWA RAFA .

Class - remember Rafa dancing at One Night in Istanbul at The Empire which was great when he was being stabbed in the back by some at Liverpool same time - a good man, and in Liverpool peoples tradition - not a YES man.
Well in Rafa and Montse[/i

Now he's obviously donated a lot of money when leaving Liverpool. Good on him for that. But it's not exactly hard to donate money when you've just pocketed a £6m severance package. These two donations have trickled out later. But walking into the J96 offices and handing over a cheque for £96k was blatantly going to generate publicity for him and against the yanks.

That's exactly what has happened. The story appears in the press and the supporters are immediately saying what a great guy Rafa is and how despicable the yanks are.

What if news emerges that the yanks have donated a few million pounds to Liverpool charities since they took over LFC? Will that change your opinion of them or will you still think they're ***** because of the way the club has been run since they took over?

He done it because the Rhys Jones murder affected him a lot and he was touched. He didn't have to do it, he's walked away with a great relationship with the fans, he's loved and he didn't have to do a single thing. He's also kept his house in Merseyside because he'd love to go back there one day, it isn't some tricky stunt he's pulled here, he's donated to charity in an attempt to give back to those who gave him so much. They aren't just any old charities, they're local charities and I refuse to even consider that he done it in an attempt to have a pop at the Americans, or even an attempt to change anybody's view of him, he done it to say thank you and to help those who helped him.

Nope, I'd think that was good of them, but I still think they've attempted to bleed the club dry to make a profit.

These have trickled out later? You mean when he's on the verge of leaving? Giving substantial sums is so easy, yet so hard for many rich people to do.



They were saying that anyway, before any donation, these latter two were certainly not needed if he'd been just after publicity. I think you need to accept that not everyone is a cynical, bitter **** like you are.

Saw him play a lot for Valencia last season on SKY and I've always thought he looked a player that could make it in the PL. I think he's going to be a massive signing for City. He's pretty much got everything for a great playmaker in the hole, he's got good engine on him too. This could be the start of something big for Man City. Quality signing, wonder who else will join.

*s*


I can't believe that Villa and Silva have both being signed by their new clubs without a challenge from others. I know it's a waste of time hoping, but I can't believe we didn't try to snatch Silva.

Fabiano has said he wants to join us - hopefully, he'll pay the transfer fee and his wages.

Eh, what you sin at?

Top drawer signing for Citeh. Even Vicky Pollard wouldn't give a "Yeah, but" to this.

He is a good signing, but I'll be interested to see if they try and accommodate him, Tevez and Robinho in the same side, as well as possibly Johnson and Adebayor.

Honestly now, if Citeh can build around Silva and use him centrally, he could easily become a Kaka-like level player for them. I'm one of his biggest fans and even though he's had loads of hype, I still believe he's underrated by so many.

Robinho will still leave. His WC performances just mean that we'll get a better quality player in an exchange deal.

I assume Silva and Toure both arriving will signal the departures of De Jong and Robinho.

Welcome aboard, Uncle Woy.