Yeah we'll make a loss on Babel, but that's ok, we've made profits on others, some mistakes are allowed. This was a big one. Far too much money was paid. Even at the time, I know myself, but I'm sure many of you guys as well were doubtful about such a large transfer fee for a guy who was unproven and only potential. We could have got Ronaldo some years earlier for not that much more. Always hard to judge whether a player with potential will develop or turn into a dud.
Babel has a terrible attitude. I really am surprised he made it through the Ajax academy. He wants to go on loan, but what is the benefit for us? He needs to make more of an effort for us, and repay us before he can expect us to help him get in the Dutch squad.
On hindsight, even we had signed Ronaldo some years earlier, perhaps he again may not have succeeded as well? Not sure he would have fit in a Liverpool, what with Gerrard and Torres being the "go-to" guy when needed.
Ronaldo has an attitude of his own as well, and he may well have flopped even bigger at Liverpool, and not be at the heights he is now.
Having said that, win some, lose some.
