2 Nov 2014

Next Stop LFC? BR keen to sign 'fantastic' €32m Real Madrid maestro hailed by Alonso

Liverpool are reportedly considering a January loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, who is struggling to hold down a regular starting place this season.

According to the Daily Express:

"Liverpool are interested in strengthening their midfield by adding Illaramendi to the growing Spanish contingent at Anfield".

Some info about Illarramendi:

* Cost Madrid €32m.

* Plays as a defensive midfielder.

* 31 apps for various Spain youth teams.
* 61 apps for Madrid over the last two seasons.
* 14 apps in the CL for Madrid.
* Current deal expires in 2019.

Given the sheer number of top quality players at the Bernebeau, it's hardly surprising that Illarramendi can't hold down a place in Madrid's star-studded team. It's no disgrace to play second-fiddle to the likes of Modric, Kroos, and Khedira, and given the tough competition, a move away it probably a good idea.

To harsh reality is that the signing of Kroos is going to block Illarramendi's progression at Madrid, and it's arguably a minor vote of no-confidence in the young midfielder. If Ancelotti was happy with his options in central midfield, he wouldn't have signed Kroos. It's that simple.

Liverpool desperately need a quality defensive-minded midfielder, and according to Ancelotti, Illaramendi is the perfect option to close out games. In September, he told reporters:

“We put Illarra in to avoid risks. He’s more defensive-minded, and e wanted to control the game and he showed he was up to the task. He helped us come back in the game".

Madrid legend Xabi Alonso - to whom Illarramendi is often compared - is convinced that his compatriot has what it takes to succeed at Madrid, and in a recent interview, he told Cadena Cope:

"Illarra is the future. It's a giant leap, but I have no doubts about him. Real is like a bull and you have to be ready for it, and Asier will be."

Italian legend Arrigo Sacchi is also a big fan of Illarramendi, and when asked last season about the midfielder, he raved:

“I was blown away by Illarramendi. He's a fantastic player. He can defend, he gets forward well, he reads the game well and can go long or short with his passing. I think he has a lot to offer Real"

That's a glowing recommendation from a true legend of the game, but I personally don't see the point of a 6-month loan deal. Illarramendi has a 6 year contract at Madrid, and it seems unlikely that Los Blancos will sell him next summer.

As such, what's the point building the team around a player who'll only have to leave within a few months Surely, it's a better idea to sign a defensive-minded midfielder on a permanent deal? That said, if Madrid include an option to buy in the loan deal, it may be worth it...

Author:


28 comments:

  1. We all know what happens to young players who come to Liverpool though don't we?

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  2. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:40 pm, November 02, 2014

    ................................................coutinho/lallana
    ..............................................cabaye.................song
    with hendo for big games

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  3. Article needs a twist of twistadee- how old is illarramendi?

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  4. How we ignored Alex Song is beyond me???!!!

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  5. That too for free

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  6. Can't we get Song or Diame or Schneidelin at season's end????

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  7. LFC should hire Twistadee.

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  8. Just look at the Hammers now, no coincidence. They are now competing with top teams. Interestingly enough is that Downing is playing out of his skin, BR's man management may not be ledgendary after all?

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  9. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:19 am, November 03, 2014

    I finally have found the formula that will give lfc success in the league:
    The swansea game was a good example

    *play lucas and hendo or can in midfield two gerrard is not modern player and should be put on the bench as an impact player
    * play borini with balotelli up front both balos goals came with borini on field
    *play the 25m man lallana our most creative player
    *no more glen johnson ,manquillo is better
    * maybe this one im not 100% sure but toure over skrtel?

    so:
    ............................................balotelli.
    lallana.........................coutinho/henderson.........................borini
    ,....................................can................lucas
    moreno.......................lovren...............skrtel......................manquillo
    ..............................................mignolet

    with sterling and lallana rotating , and coutinho and hendo rotating depending on opposition
    btw borini in thsi formation would be given a free role

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  10. Look beyond the Premier League.

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  11. Good to see Lucas and Borini in there.

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  12. wont happen..gerrard out of team is an impossible thing for BR..he again will play him 3 games in a week for 90 mins..i mean not a single substitution for 34 year old.
    gerrard is the problem..he starts with energy but as the end approaches he starts jogging and then walking..i cant see anything that he offers other than leadership which is not getting goals..just to protect him he plays allen there who offers nothing going forward which makes the midfield too ineffective..he needs to be used as an impact player in attacking role..BR ignores it week in week out and liverpool will fight to get a place in top 10.

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  13. Apparently the some idiotic fan is planning to get a plane to fly out a "BR OUT" plane at the Chelsea game.

    No loyalty.

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  14. our next game is chelsea???

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  15. i have to say....its not a bad formation

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  16. Who said it was our next game? This fan probably doesn't have the guts to fly it all the way out to Madrid...


    Anyway, still no loyalty.

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  17. You are the bane of every LFC fan's existence.

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  18. I think Downing just doesn't have the mentality to excel under pressure. He's never proven himself for England or Liverpool and has found his level at West Ham. Even when we're shite, the shirt weighs heavier than the vast majority of other teams' in the world.

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  19. I'm not convinced he's as good as people think he is. I doubt his mentality too. He often switched off at Arsenal. I think he has the physicality of a defensive midfield player but not the brain of one.

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  20. I'd be happy with a 6-month loan, even without an option to buy. It, at the very least, would give us time to cast a wide net and do some in-depth scouting.

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  21. I don't think he has his full pilot's licence.

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  22. Are you sure they're not saying B ROUT as in they want us to ROUT Chelsea?

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  23. I read that too. Disgusting

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  24. No chance we'll get him, class players are giving us a wide berth!
    FSG are providing us with mediocre players. Rodgers is now so desperate
    he's playing Borini (left side of midfield aginst Newcastle) after failing to offload him. Remember we're in a 'exciting transition'..lol...words of a desperate man.

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  25. Top top top player. Loan and set a fee for a permanent fee. Lets see what they say if we give them what they paid for him. Top player. Top.

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  26. Ah...thought it was sarcasm :D We play Real tomorrow and Chelsea during the weekend.

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  27. Something like that ;)

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