I thought I would have a little fun and look at Eleven players who could make a difference to our squad. These players are just my opinion and should not be looked at as current Rovers targets!
Goalkeeper-Matthew Gilks Free Transfer
Following the departure's of Jason Brown and Frank Fielding Rovers now find themselves with only one experienced goalkeeper as back up in Mark Bunn. Tony Warner has been linked with a move to Ewood but how about we make a move for Matthew Gilks?
The Blackpool goalkeeper had lots of rave reviews for some of his performances last season and is available on a free transfer. Despite him starting the season as Blackpool's number 1 he spent most of the season injured following a knee injury he picked up against West Ham United. He returned from injury in April and managed 11 appearances in total. Signing back up keepers can be hard as they want first team football, but at 29 with lots of experience under his belt he wouldn't be a bad choice.
Right back-Emmanuel Eboué £4 Million
Michel Salgado will be 36 in October and he was arguably one of Rovers most consistent performers last season. However in terms of natural cover Blackburn are really lacking on options. Its no secret that Arsenal are trying to raise funds so they can themselves move into the transfer market for players and one player rumoured to be available for around £4 Million is Emmanuel Eboue. The 28 year old Ivory Coast International has 61 caps and has a wealth of Premiership experience. His time at Arsenal has not always been plain sailing after he had sections of the crowds turn on him a couple of season's ago. Although he managed 27 appearances last season only 13 of those came in the league. He is comfortable at Right Back and Right Midfield and is a big powerful player. He would offer genuine competition for a starting berth and although not spectacular would be deemed a positive signing for the club.
Left Back- Erik Pieters £6 Million
Although the club already have Givet and Olsson at the club, neither player has always looked comfortable playing at left back. Olsson's main strengths are his forward burst which have proved fruitful for the team. Whilst Givet's distribution or lack of over lapping runs takes an attacking threat away from the team. Givet's future has been under the spotlight for a number of months with a move back to France muted.
Erik Pieters has been a revelation since joining PSV in 2008 and is now Hollands first choice left back. The Dutch league has always struggled to hold on to its better players and Pieters is already been linked with a move away. £6 Million could be enough to capture the player who PSV paid £2.5 Million for 3 years ago.
Known for being aggressive and attack minded Pieters would be deemed a top signing for a club of our stature, whilst being only 22 he would also rise in value if he can carry his current form into the rigours of the Premiership.
Centre Back- Jonny Evans £6 Million
With the departure of Phil Jones and the possible departure of Samba Rovers are finding themselves short of experienced options at the heart of their defence. Many players have been linked with moves to the club but one player who could be of interest to Rovers is Jonny Evans. The Manchester United centre back will ultimately now be 5th choice at United with Smalling and Jones waiting in the wings to replace Ferdinand or Vidic. Still only 23 Evans seems to have been around forever and has plenty of games under his belt, both at club level and Internationally. A bid of £6 Million would be enough to tempt United to sell and the player would welcome the opportunity for first team football. Blackburn could do a lot worse than Evans and he ticks all the right boxes being home grown and also only 23.
Centre Back- Steven Taylor £5 Million
The talented defender has had his injury problems in the past but his ability has never been in question. Former captain of the England under 21's Steven Taylor is now 25 and its not always been plain sailing for him at Newcastle. He asked for a transfer in 2010 after a breakdown in contract talks and a change of scenery may suit the player who came through the ranks at Newcastle. Taylor can play anywhere across the back four and being home grown is highly desirable. A sensible fee of a round £5 Million may be all it takes to get the player on board and his leadership qualities would certainly add a bit of steel to the squad.
Centre Midfield- Steven Defour £6 Million
Rovers have been heavily linked with his former team mate Axel Witsel, However Defour is the heart beat of the Standard Liege team and is their current captain. In July 2011 Defour was being linked with a move to Lokomotiv Moscow but rumours have since circulated that negotiations had broken down. English Premier League club Wigan Athletic are rumoured to have bid £6 million for the player. Which is a steal for a player who is just 23 and has over 30 caps for Belgium. Bigger clubs have been linked with him over the years and Manchester United have been keen followers of his development. Defour is described as a dynamic play maker with craft and vision and he would add so much to the Rovers midfield should we make a move for the player.
Centre Midfield- Leroy Fer £4 Million
Leroy Fer has already been capped by the Dutch national team and is only 21. Fer is a no nonsense defensive midfielder currently playing for Feyenoord in Holland, who has been likened to Patrick Viera. He is currently vice captain at his club and would not command a massive fee despite his potential. At 6ft 2 Inches Fer has played over 100 league games in the top flight of Dutch football scoring 13 goals. With Jermaine Jones return to Rovers looking ever increasingly unlikely due to the big fee being demanded by Schalke, Fer would be considered good value at just £4 Million especially with age on the players side.
Right Winger- Henri Saivet £2 Million
Saivet currently plays for Bordeaux but spent last season out on loan. At only 20 Saivet has much potential and Arsenal and Chelsea are just two of the clubs who have been linked with him in the past. Saivet is described as a player with the skill as Zidane, but with the pace and swagger of Henry. He has been capped at all levels from under 16's to under 21's by France and is highly rated over there. The club has never really replaced David Bentley and Hoillet's best form has come when he has played on the left hand side. At £2 Million Saivet would be a snip as he has the potential to be one of the next generation of World superstars.
Left Winger- Santi Cazorla £15 Million
Santi Cazorla would be deemed a marquee signing and one which is not impossible. Villareal are aware many clubs are weighing up bids for the Spanish international who is described as an out an out play maker. He can comfortably play down either wing or centrally and his vision to see a pass and change the pace of the game is amongst the best around at present. He has over 30 caps for Spain and has a keen eye for goal. Cazorla is now 26 and his best years are still ahead of him. He is not a player Villareal would happily sell and have tried to scare people off by slapping a £17.5 Million price tag on the player. However the player is keen to move to England and although Blackburn would not be his first choice of club, If the club can put the right deal on the table its not out of the question. Villareal would more than likely compromise on their valuation and £15 Million which is less than we got for Phil Jones could be easily financed by Rovers.
Striker- Lucas Barrios- £15 Million
After scoring 49 goals in 53 games for Colo-Colo Barrios Transferred in 2009 to Dortmund in Germany for a fee of just under £4 Million .He has had a similar impact in the Bundesliga in his two seasons their and is averaging more than a goal every other game. A Paraguay International is is equally as strong in the air as he is with the ball at his feet and has formed a potent partnership for the International team with Santa Cruz which is leaving Cardozo out in the cold. Dortmund are no longer the team of old and Barrios would welcome a move to the Premiership. He will also be well aware of Blackburn as a club due to being an International team mate of Santa Cruz who only has nice things to say about the club. A fee between £12 -15 Million would be enough to secure the players services and in some quarters he may be considered a Marquee style player.
Striker-Jermaine Defoe £8 Million
Defoe has been heavily linked this transfer window after it emerged Spurs were willing to let the England International go for a fee of around £8 Million. Defoe struggled for goals last season and found himself in and out of the side, however he excelled at international level and has 15 goals for England from over 40 caps. Defoe has scored goals wherever he has been and playing for a less fashionable club would not bother the player as it proved when he joined Portsmouth. Defoe is the type of player who just wants to play and if a club can offer him first team football he will be in the car to sign the deal. He would offer experience but most importantly he is a 20 goals a season player with regular football. He can be a fox in the box or can lash the home from 30 yards and would be a massive coup for the club. Rovers biggest weakness is up front and Defoe's capture would certainly put many an anxious fan at ease to where the goals are coming from next season.
So there we have it Rovers Revisited's 11 men who could make a difference if Steve Kean wishes to have some transfer pointers ahead of the new season.
Please feel free to leave comments on who you would like to see Rovers make a move for, after all the press has been coming up with bogus names for weeks
