In March 2013, Reports in Spain claimed that Liverpool were considering a summer move for Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao. Soon after, the Portuguese star publicly criticised Madrid, and made it clear that he'd consider a move away from the Bernebeau. Now, with Liverpool in the market for new full-backs, it seems that Coentrao is back on the Reds' radar.
According to The Mirror:
* Liverpool are in 'pole position' to sign Coentrao.
*LFC are in contact with the player’s agent Jorge Mendes.
* The last set of talks - which are at an advanced stage - took place last week,
* Madrid want at least €13m for Coentrao.
Liverpool have been linked with Coentrao several times in the past:
* October 2010: Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record reports that Roy Hodgson is monitoring Coentrao, with a view to a possible January transfer.
* April 2011: The Daily Mail reports that Kenny Dalglish also wants the Portuguese international.
* May 2011: Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claims that Liverpool have agreed a fee of £25m for Coentrao.
The Portuguese almost committed career suicide last summer when he considered a move to Manchester United. He explained:
"There was the possibility of joining Manchester United, but I stayed at Real Madrid, and that's what matters,"
I'm sure Coentrao is breathing a huge sigh of relief right now after witnessing Man Utd's downward spiral into mediocrity and irrelevance.
With only 10 starts for Madrid this season, Coentrao is clearly surplus to requirements at the Bernebeau, and his frustration at the club is well established. Last summer, the 26-year old revealed his frustration over the treatment he'd received at Madrid. He told O Jogo:
"From the first day I do not think I was wanted here. Today it seems that everyone wants me to leave the club. I do not know what I have done wrong. If I leave Real Madrid, I do not close the door to anyone"
Prior to his move to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid star Silvio predicted that Coentrao would become the best left-back in the world. He enthused:
"He is a spectacular player. He is the best left-back in Portugal and he will surely be the best one in the world. He will wind up being considered the best player in his position for many years"
Has Coentrao lived up to that billing? He's a solid player for Madrid, but he's also received a lot of criticism for the quality of his performances at Madrid. In January 2013, Spanish newspaper AS claimed that Madrid were planning to sell Coentrao, having grown tired of his disruptive influence, which includes the following:
* November 2011 - An hour late for training (repeat offender)
* January 2012 - Arrived out of shape after Christmas break. Dropped by Mourinho.
* March 2012 - Caught smoking. Fined and left out of the squad for Villarreal.
* July 2012 - Reputedly a 'bad influence' during Madrid's summer tour of the USA.
* August 2012 - 4 games ban for calling the referee a 'bastard'.
* January 2013 - Massively late for training again.
In February, Spanish newspaper Marca - basically the media mouthpiece for Real Madrid - echoed AS's report, stating that Madrid were at their 'wit's end' with the defender.
Coentrao - who cost Madrid £26m in 2011 - sounds like a bit of a nightmare to manage, but his talent cannot be denied, and I'm sure Brendan Rodgers would be able to whip him into shape.
Jaimie Kanwar
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Mirror:
* Liverpool are in 'pole position' to sign Coentrao.
*LFC are in contact with the player’s agent Jorge Mendes.
* The last set of talks - which are at an advanced stage - took place last week,
* Madrid want at least €13m for Coentrao.
Liverpool have been linked with Coentrao several times in the past:
* October 2010: Portuguese newspaper Jornal Record reports that Roy Hodgson is monitoring Coentrao, with a view to a possible January transfer.
* April 2011: The Daily Mail reports that Kenny Dalglish also wants the Portuguese international.
* May 2011: Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claims that Liverpool have agreed a fee of £25m for Coentrao.
The Portuguese almost committed career suicide last summer when he considered a move to Manchester United. He explained:
"There was the possibility of joining Manchester United, but I stayed at Real Madrid, and that's what matters,"
I'm sure Coentrao is breathing a huge sigh of relief right now after witnessing Man Utd's downward spiral into mediocrity and irrelevance.
With only 10 starts for Madrid this season, Coentrao is clearly surplus to requirements at the Bernebeau, and his frustration at the club is well established. Last summer, the 26-year old revealed his frustration over the treatment he'd received at Madrid. He told O Jogo:
"From the first day I do not think I was wanted here. Today it seems that everyone wants me to leave the club. I do not know what I have done wrong. If I leave Real Madrid, I do not close the door to anyone"
Prior to his move to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid star Silvio predicted that Coentrao would become the best left-back in the world. He enthused:
"He is a spectacular player. He is the best left-back in Portugal and he will surely be the best one in the world. He will wind up being considered the best player in his position for many years"
Has Coentrao lived up to that billing? He's a solid player for Madrid, but he's also received a lot of criticism for the quality of his performances at Madrid. In January 2013, Spanish newspaper AS claimed that Madrid were planning to sell Coentrao, having grown tired of his disruptive influence, which includes the following:
* November 2011 - An hour late for training (repeat offender)
* January 2012 - Arrived out of shape after Christmas break. Dropped by Mourinho.
* March 2012 - Caught smoking. Fined and left out of the squad for Villarreal.
* July 2012 - Reputedly a 'bad influence' during Madrid's summer tour of the USA.
* August 2012 - 4 games ban for calling the referee a 'bastard'.
* January 2013 - Massively late for training again.
In February, Spanish newspaper Marca - basically the media mouthpiece for Real Madrid - echoed AS's report, stating that Madrid were at their 'wit's end' with the defender.
Coentrao - who cost Madrid £26m in 2011 - sounds like a bit of a nightmare to manage, but his talent cannot be denied, and I'm sure Brendan Rodgers would be able to whip him into shape.
Jaimie Kanwar
Author: Jaimie K
We don't need a destabilising presence in the dressing room. "One rotten apple.." and all that.
ReplyDeleteAround £13 mil sounds like a good price to me. I don't particularly like him all that much, but if he performs well then I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like he needs to be put in line though. If Rodgers can do it with Suarez, I'm sure he can do it with him too.
suarez was actually entirely different to what Coentrao is.
ReplyDeleteHe wouldn't be a rotten apple if he was playing every week and IF he signs for us in my opinion would be an impressive upgrade on all the fullbacks in the squad. I'll believe it wen I see it fsg wouldn't spend in January when we looked like needing reinforcements why will they splash the cash wen were champions I reckon Rodgers be given CL money plus anything he gets tru sales
ReplyDeleteI think if we can get him on the cheap it would be a good deal. Although an Iraqi lad, Adil Adnan seems a good prospect which we can perhaps mold to be a better player, and rotate around with the likes of Flanno, Enrique, and hopefully Jack Robinson can step up.
ReplyDeleteI think he is a great supplement given that we barely have a quality left back(Enrique is injured, Flanagan is a right back) coentrao would definitely help in attack and defense much more than the above two
ReplyDeleteNo way. He has some good points like calling the referee a b*stard but this does not completely make up for all of his other indiscretions.
ReplyDeleteA 4 tourney season requires a manager's full attention. There is no room for 'bad influences' and no time for BR to be 'whipping 26 year-old petulant school boys' into shape. Inevitably SG would have to pick up those duties and that's a distraction too. Think Bawlotelli...and pass on Coentrao. What he possesses in talent is more than offset by what he requires in baby-sitting.
ReplyDeleteWhy take the risk? There are other LBs out there I'm sure.
ReplyDeletehes had a tough time at RM due to Marcelo being so world class. nobody can denie Fabio Coentrao is a top class full back. I saw him at the World Cup and him, Suarez and Honda were the three players that really stood out for me, and who i wanted LFC to sign. but having Coentrao will only boost the morale of the whole squad. having world renown players from teams like RM gives everyone a boost. he will also suit BR philosophy well. Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim should definately be snapped up. hes producing world class displays week in week out. 20 goals/15 assists from 32 games for a 22 year old midfielder is only things we dream Joe Allen could produce. he will take Anfield by storm and help next seasons title charge and CL quest. Adam Lallana has been magnificent for Southampton and i think if he joined a big team like LFC he will really show the world how class he is. For £20-25M i know he would still produce, but then again there are more proven players out there for that price. Ivan Rakitic could also be considered for that price and his abilitys in mutiple positions this season have been out of this world. but he plays in the La Liga and who knows if he will bring that form over from there to here. Adam Lallana can guarentee man of the match performences on a regular basis. after that we need to sell Aspas and get a real back up striker. Andriy Yarmolenko would be the man for me. He can play up front in a C.Ronaldo mold but plays RW like Arjen Robben. hes a beast and is very strong, quick and skillful. hes on fire this season with 18 goals/6 assists in 25 games in all competitons. will suit the philosophy well and will give us the luxury of rotation. he can play off the Right Wing in 4-3-3 formation but if Sturridge ever gets injured, or Suarez gets a ban, Yarmolenko can successfully play as a Striker. we will play alot of games next season and will need a big squad for massive games.
ReplyDeleteFabio Coentrao - LB - £12M
Roberto Firmino - AM/CM/ - £19M
Adam Lallana - CM/AM/LM - £22M
Andriy Yarmolenko - RW/LW/ST- £20M
total: £73M
rid of Aspas - £7M. rid of Borini - £10M, rid of Reina - £5M, rid of Assaidi - £5M. raise £27M
YNWA
Neither are natural LB's though.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know of any other LB's that are top players who would be available that cheap.
Yes I know the circumstances were different, but what I'm saying is he managed to cut out his 'bad' behaviour so why not Coentrao.
ReplyDeleteHim and Diego Costa can speak Portuguese together. Makes things a lot easier for our South American and Latin player welcoming commission Lucas Leiva too.
ReplyDeleteMy view is pretty simple.
ReplyDeleteNext season we could play up 50 odd games.
Do you believe that both Suarez and Sturridge are able to play every game next season?
Do you believe that both Suarez and Sturridge will go an entire season without Injury?
Do you believe that any of our other strikers are capable of filling in for either Suarez and Sturridge for any length of time?
For me the answer is no to all 3 which means that if we had the chance to sign a world class proven striker then yes that would be fantastic.
The name you are looking for is Robinson; Jack Robinson.
ReplyDeleteYup I would go along with that mate
ReplyDeleteIsn't he a 'Spanish' striker now.. Thought he'd changed his FIFA registered nationality?
ReplyDeletePeople often forget how young players are when they're thrust into fame and fortune. When I was the age he was when he joined Madrid I was mental and probably would've been getting up to the kind of nonsense he's been getting up to. He's older now and I would imagine he's learned some valuable lessons during a difficult time at Madrid. He'll feel he has something to prove at his next club. Don't forget our beloved SAS never exactly joined our club with glowing reputations. Personally I think he's a top player and reckon Brendan would get the best out of him
ReplyDeleteIf he thinks the referees in Spain are bastards wait until he meets Howard Webb and Anthony Taylor. He'll need a vastly bigger vocabulary than that.
ReplyDeleteYes please! Brendan will get the best out of him.
ReplyDeleteRobinson is not premier league quality.
ReplyDeleteI was under the impression that BR wanted to employ a triumvirate of LS DS and Diego Costa on top in a 433. I think he's been looking for another talent coming from the side. Imagine those three interchanging constantly up top. We would be scary to play. Imagine all three of our strikers chasing the golden boot. That's 65-70 goals from the three of them in the league alone. I say break the bank for him 30m . Buy another DM 15-18m and go for another loan LB. 55 m spent and we could recoup about 15-22 m from players that don't fit. That's about 40 m spent going into a CL revenue year.
ReplyDeleteIf we're going to spend 25 million on a player, lets make sure we get the best player in that position in the world. Probably at left back. Alba.
ReplyDeleteHe would be great addition. N I think everyone needs to get a chance to improve themselves. He will bring us another attacking threat too.
ReplyDeleteWe will be playing the Champion League and if Suarez and Sturridge want to win it wouldn't they want Costa along side them. More comforting for the club as well as the players.
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph is key to the success of the whole move. Like some are noting, his attitude leaves a bit to be desired. However, if Brendan can whip him into shape, he could be a tremendous bit of business.
ReplyDeleteLet alone Premier League CHAMPIONS quality
ReplyDeletewe need a world class defensive midfielder as top priority.
ReplyDeleteWith CL, FA Cup and the league, why wouldn't we buy players like Costa? If you take either SAS out for whatever reason, who then could stand up to other huge clubs? Borini? Assaidi? No chance! Costa, Shaquiri, Isco are the kind of attacking players we need! If not all three! These players would put pressure on Sterling, Coutinho and even Sturridge! Imagine all of them at our disposal?
ReplyDeleteIt would be frightening for anyone home or away!
Same could have been said by Suarez in the summer! When I saw his body language in Melbourne, I feared the worst! Now look! All things said, it seems Rogers man management is exceptional and could get the best out of him as he has done with everyone thus far!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I liked about Brendan is the importance he puts on players having the right mentality/personality to play for Liverpool. He has said many times a players personality/character is just as important to him as his footballing skill on the pitch. If you look at all our previous greats they were all model professionals. Eg: Rush, Dalglish, Barnes, Hansen, Aldo, et al.
ReplyDeleteSo at least we know that when Rodgers buys a player do us, we know everything - including the players temperament had been thoroughly looked at.
Just another one of Brendan's strings in his bow! :-).
YNWA
Absolutely agree Steven, I flew over from Perth for the game and was really saddened by his body language and attitude. Glad to see he's put a massive smile on my face ever since though. Back on topic, yeah Suarez, Sakho, Cissokho, Sterling, they've all been troublesome before, but BR has them back in line. Joey Barton himself could come to the club and within 3 months, B-Rodge would have him sipping tea with his pinky out with the poshest of them.
ReplyDelete