Ex-Liverpool manager Roy Evans recently slated the underwhelming performances of the club's fullbacks, arguing that they had not done enough offensively to help the team over the last year. I've been arguing that the defensively suspect (and creatively profligate) Glen Johnson should be sold for a couple of years now, but who would replace him? How about Ajax star Gregory Van Der Wiel?
The Dutch defender revealed last month that a proposed summer move to Valencia had fallen through, and this week, his Agent confirmed that the talented right back will definitely leave the Amsterdam Arena this summer.
Liverpool have been linked with €20m-rated Van Der Wiel several times over the last year, and with Glen Johnson proving yet again this season that he is consistently error prone, Liverpool could do with signing a new right back.
In an interview with NUsport yesterday, VDW's Agent, Hakim Slimani, said:
"Greg wants to move to a top club. Lots of clubs have shown an interest in signing him, but I can't say which teams are after him, and what the status of their interest is".
"He has won two league titles and is ready to make the next step in his career. Euro 2012 is coming up and it is the ideal stage to show his qualities. We'll look at the possibilities after the tournament."
Van der Wiel has a contract with the newly-crowned Eredivisie champions until June 2013, but his flirtation with Valencia proves that he's willing to leave before his contract is up, and Ajax will want to sell him before he's eligible to leave on a free transfer.
Whatever anyone thinks, Liverpool is still a massive club, and if Van Der Wiel is still available, then the Reds should (IMO) definitely think about making a bid.
Jaimie Kanwar
The Dutch defender revealed last month that a proposed summer move to Valencia had fallen through, and this week, his Agent confirmed that the talented right back will definitely leave the Amsterdam Arena this summer.
Liverpool have been linked with €20m-rated Van Der Wiel several times over the last year, and with Glen Johnson proving yet again this season that he is consistently error prone, Liverpool could do with signing a new right back.
In an interview with NUsport yesterday, VDW's Agent, Hakim Slimani, said:
"Greg wants to move to a top club. Lots of clubs have shown an interest in signing him, but I can't say which teams are after him, and what the status of their interest is".
"He has won two league titles and is ready to make the next step in his career. Euro 2012 is coming up and it is the ideal stage to show his qualities. We'll look at the possibilities after the tournament."
Van der Wiel has a contract with the newly-crowned Eredivisie champions until June 2013, but his flirtation with Valencia proves that he's willing to leave before his contract is up, and Ajax will want to sell him before he's eligible to leave on a free transfer.
Whatever anyone thinks, Liverpool is still a massive club, and if Van Der Wiel is still available, then the Reds should (IMO) definitely think about making a bid.
Jaimie Kanwar
We have two of the best English Right-backs in Liverpool. If you want replace GJ, replace him by Martin Kelly.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think Glen Johnson is a quality player. Recently he has been defending better than Kelly. Daglish, Capello and Hodgson also seem to think he is Englands best Right Back.
ReplyDeleteWhat a daft article. GJ is one of the best right backs in England and on his day he's probably the best attacking right back in the country. Add to that he's English. When we have so many areas which NEED correcting WHY on earth should we concentrate on one thats just fine. On top of that, why on earth would we want to spend anything more than £7.5 on that position for a dutch player? Absolutely daft.
ReplyDeleteGJ is Liverpool's right back. MK is second choice. End of.
Why is he 'one of the best right backs in England'? What has he done to deserve that label? What stats show that he is the 'best attacking right back in the country'? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely been convinced by Kelly for these three seasons, so I think what we need to find this Summer is a creative central midfielder, a winger and a striker.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal opinion the best attacking right backs are Micah Richards and Kyle Walker. The best left backs are Baines and Cole in that order.
ReplyDeleteI think Kelly is a good right back and will challenge Johnson strong for the position next season. It all depends on the manager's preference.
I also think Kelly is streets ahead of Flanagan.
Right back is one of the few positions in England we have got some quality in depth.
Glen Johnson is a tremendous asset and player. Irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteWhy? That statement without qualification doesn't really mean anything. What has Johnson done over the last three years that make him 'irreplaceable?'
ReplyDeleteKelly is better than Johnson, our new Manager Martinez, He was given the job before the FA Cup final will play Kelly and Stirling if He has ant nous.
ReplyDeleteGJ part of a back four that had the 3rd best defensive record in the prem, if anything cover for Enrique is needed as his form suffered in the second half of the season due to playing too many games IMO. Any money we have needs to be spent on three quality players in midfield and attacking positions, possibly even two if Alberto and Joe come into the squad and perform and some of our reserves are able to make the step up.
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer kelly to johnson just because he's so solid at the back
ReplyDeleteI have been having this argument with my old man for awhile.
ReplyDeleteHe says we need to get rid of johnson but my opinion is RB is probably our only position that doesnt need changes.
Johnson's defending seems to have improved ever since dalglish moved him to the left last season and with Martin kelly availible and Flannagan only going to get better with time.
i think We are set at RB
I have said before here I do believe GJ is not the answer to our problems. What I would like to see happen is Kelly made 1st choice and GJ made 2nd while the club looks to get the best replacement available. as this is not the most lacking position in the squad.
ReplyDeleteWho knows if we got 4th position we would be able to attract a lot better replacement.
If Liverpool were awarded a goal for every time I shouted Johnson at the screen over the last season they would have won the league in April
ReplyDeletePersonally speaking I reckon we need a dm and a attacking midfielder who can pick a needle pass through. striker would be someone who is up and coming. Our team was not motivated enough I reckon after january period. Jose is a consistent player throughout the year and his form cant just drop dramatically. I reckon some arguments occurred and players didnt think Kenny was the right person cos before that period everything was rosy then we had loads of problems after problems. Forget the suarez case etc but internally something happened around that period where the whole team lost faith. I feel that way but I understand what jamie is pointing out but at the present moment in time with a budget of 20-30 million we cant have the luxury of replacing an england international. I would rather see us get 3-4 good players who we can develop into world class unless we offload from the books first and have a kitty of 50 million but even then the manager will prioritise in this order what we need. Holding midfielder who is effective in attacking and can contribute about 10 goals and around 10 assists per season or higher. I reckon promote 2 youngsters and see what they can give to the team. hope we get a descent manager and start the transfer market with a positive purchase.
ReplyDeleteA Champions League winning Right back Jose Bosingwa will be released on a Bosman today. Could be the first signing of AVB his fellow Portuguese if he comes omg
ReplyDeleteIf you want a Bosman here is the list of EPL Bosmans
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/05/23/3120616/premier-league-bosman-list-didier-drogba-all-the-players
Saloman Kalou, Drogba, Mohammed Diame, Danny Murphy etc.
mk right back gj in at right hand side of midfield does is best work in the last third .
ReplyDeleteBilly the cat have you had your saucer of milk today, dont you think GJ should be sold to finance a move for a top winger as MK is a more than capable Right back
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking billy you are right he does perform better in the last third, could be something to look at next season.
ReplyDeleteWhat stats show that Johnson is a defensive liability?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
When a player has one good season, he deserves to be signed? GJ has been great, his contribution to the lowest goals-conceded is there to be seen, there is no way that we can accept the notion behing your article. This Dutch player has been raved about, why then are the big clubs not signing him? Kelly has been there to cover GJ and I am certain we do not need any changes at the back after looking at the whole season that one part of the team that does not need any tampering, with the exception of Carra making way for Coates, its about time.
ReplyDeleteOf course. And then when Kelly inevitably gets injured after a few games, Liverpool could depend on Flanagan to flawlessly fill the gap right?
ReplyDeletecoates will never make the grade he is to slow 4 the epl should sell him asap and recoup some money back .
ReplyDeletewot about george berry !
ReplyDeleteWe dont need stats for that one Jay, the human eye tells us that.
ReplyDeleteThe flaw in your argument is the bit were you say ON HIS DAY, as regrettably Joe, them days are as rare as chickens teeth.
ReplyDeleteG Johnson would be better off working for the NHS as he is always sick or injured, even today he is injured again and pulled out of the England squad.
Can someone please explain to me why we don't try him right mid, as theoretically it looks his natural position doesn't it.
I have to agree with JK here and say that he doesn't play like a 20 million pound International player very often and Martin Kelly can do as good a job as Johnson anyday
Totall Agree with every word Billy
ReplyDeleteI'm next on that Joint
ReplyDeleteLast season it was exactly that, Kelly was 1st choice RB (until he got injured) and Johnson was played in many games on the left by KD
ReplyDeletehe maybe too slow but he has more goals than downing and also i think will be better than skrtel
ReplyDelete