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Yossi Benayoun Leaves Liverpool, Signs With Chelsea

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Until I have access to a photo of Yossi Benayoun, simply use your imagination to replace Ballack's face with his. It'll be an improvement. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Laurence Griffiths - Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Until I have access to a photo of Yossi Benayoun, simply use your imagination to replace Ballack's face with his. It'll be an improvement. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Just a few days ago, when discussing Roy Hodgson's appointment to Liverpool, I mentioned that nearly any clubwould be happy to have the Israeli midfielder, whose attacking prowess was often overlooked by Rafa Benitez. But Chelsea? Yes, Michael Ballack is leaving, but I cannot comprehend why the oldest team in the Premier League is signing a 30-year-old to a three-year contract. The Blues need to be looking toward the future and this signing indicates that they're not yet focusing on finding young talent. What happened to your push for Marek Hamsik, Chelsea? He's 22 years old and fills the same role as Benayoun--and probably does it even better. But Carlos Ancelotti likes Yossi's behavior off the pitch, so perhaps he's looking for a role model for certain captains to look up to.

Benayoun will be missed by at least a few of the Liverpool faithful, who appreciate his ability to play multiple roles on the field and realized that it was Rafa, not his talent, that was holding him back.

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Getting Benayoun for next to nothing

Is a great deal. He’s a class player. And it might be more evidence that Chelsea won’t have the money spigot turned on and thus can’t afford to buy Hamsik and pay his wages!

"I say he does have to shoot me now! So shoot me now!" --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jul 2, 2010 5:57 PM BST reply actions  

I'm not very happy

Chelsea don’t solve a long or short-term problem here

by Graham on Jul 2, 2010 5:59 PM BST up reply actions  

I never understood Rafa's lack of trust in Benayoun.

He’d get a start, he’d make a few great runs and set up a goal, and he’d be right back on the bench the next game. I never really saw him look like anything less than one of the six best players on his side. He’s not an elite player by any means, but he’s not a bench player either. Particularly on a squad that was having a hell of time putting the ball in the net.

I was hoping Rafa’s departure might persuade him to stick around, but it sounds like he was already out the door. And I can’t really blame him. B’hatzlacha!

by Teej on Jul 2, 2010 6:04 PM BST reply actions  

Sounds like a perfect replacement for Joe Cole, as he seems to be out of the club. Solid signing.

by DarrenV on Jul 3, 2010 3:04 AM BST reply actions  

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We discuss English football from an American perspective. Sometimes we call it soccer. Sometimes we call it football. Whichever you call it, we welcome discussions,we appreciate arguments, and we value insight. Above all, though, we're Villa til we die.
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