What's the verdict on Nemeth, El Zahr, Insua and Lucas?

The old Ask Guillem part of the site has been merged with the blog, so this is still the place for all of your questions and comments. If you have any questions for me regarding Spanish football, the Premier league or anything at all to do with football - European or otherwise - please get in touch, and we'll try and tackle as many issues as we can here.

Last week a couple of you have asked an almost identical question relating to  several Liverpool squad players.

Paul Daly asked: " Guillem, how do you rate the fringe players at Liverpool such as Lucas, Insua, Nemeth , El Zahr?"

While Christophe wanted to know: "Guillem, how do you rate El Zahr , Lucas Leiva and Insua @ Liverpool?"

Thanks for the questions guys, I'll tackle each player in turn:

Lucas Leiva -    I don't know about you, but for me, he still lacks the rhythm of the Premier league:  he's still a little bit behind everyone else when it comes down to keeping up with the pace of the football played in England. Nevertheless, he is a talented and intelligent player, so he could learn to use the skills he does possess to make up for any shortcomings in his game. However, I feel that he is still going to be behind the first choice midfield options at Anfield - he's not on the same level as Mascherano, Xabi or Gerrard.

I know that Lucas gets a lot of criticism from Liverpool fans who tend to focus upon the balls that he frequently gives away, but bear in mind that he recovers an awful lot as well. I think he's a squad player and he does improve the quality of the Liverpool squad which, in my opinion, has got to be considered as one of the best groups in the Premiership.

Emiliano Insua -    I had thought that, by now, the left back would be a regular part of the first team, but from what I have seen of him - when he has been given an opportunity -  he appears to be a level, or two below someone like Fabio Aurelio. So, its going to take another year, at least, before he can really start to push for a first team place, but that is always going to difficult with Aurelio in front of him. Speaking of Fabio, now that he has been injury free for a while, we are starting to see the real player: a player with all the defensive qualities that appeals to Rafa Benitez and a fantastic left foot that is very useful at crosses and set pieces.

Nemeth -    He is probably the brightest light in the reserve team, at the moment,  alongside Daniel Pacheco. A concern over Pacheco is that he may be a little too small for a premiership player, he'll be given his chance I'm sure, but I think we may see him finish up in Spain as the English game may be just too physical for him. However, Nemeth, I believe, has a future here, not as a replacement for Keane or Torres, but as someone who could maybe feature in ten games or so to give Rafa some different options and to give the player some first team playing experience.  That time on the pitch will prepare him for greater involvement next season I hope.

El Zahr -     He's been the real surprise promotion in to the first team as you would have thought that Pacheco and Nemeth are maybe ahead of him.  But he has something a little different to the others: something that reminds me of Luis Garcia. He has pace and he's prepared to try things, which is always good to have as an option on the bench and he could do very well in the role of super-sub. I get the impression, from watching him play, that he is relishing every opportunity he gets to impress and if he can get a couple of first team goals, then I believe that the confidence boost will really spur him on and he will continue to progress.  I don't think he's close to becoming a regular, but another fantastic option from the bench: something that Liverpool will need if they end the season competing for the top prize in several competitions.
 

Whats the view of those of you who have seen them play? Let me know, and please keep your questions coming in.

 We now have tickets and accommodation packages available for all Spanish Football matches this season, including Barcelona v Real Madrid tickets!