It seems that Rafa is finally getting the right blend of youth and experience in the squad. Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Mashcerano, Sissoko, Lucas, Torres, Babel are all well under 25. We paid a lot of money for these guys, but we are buying players who not near their prime, but already at the top of the game. The likes of Finnan, Sami, Carra, JAR, Stevie G and Alonso have the experience for the big games. Apart from Sami, no one else is quite ready for the pension. The thing I like about rafa is that he will not keep a player who is under preforming, just because he bought him. Josemi, Nunez, El Moro, Gonzalez, Kromkamp and Bellamy. Houllier kept all his donkeys and tried to make them into great players by changing their positions and what not. It didn't work and we were left with players in their mid 20's who left on free (Diao, Chreyrou, Diouf, Biscan, Traore). If you are not doing the business under Rafa, you are out... no matter how much he has paid for them.
Rafa liked him when he played against Valencia in the Champions League with Leeds so he sees he can get something out of him, if he is not fit before christmas there is no hope of him getting a new contract