22 Feb 2013

'Why not?' - BR wants exciting €16m star who once called LFC a 'dream club'

Liverpool's defensive frailties have cost the club dearly this season, with last night's exit from the Europa League is the latest consequence of a seemingly endless run of costly errors by the club's defenders. The likes of Ashley Williams and Fernando Amorebieta continue to be linked with a move to Anfield, and the latest player to join the wanted list is Torino centre-back Angelo Ogbonna.

A report today in Italian newspaper La Stampa claims that Liverpool have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the hunt for Ogbonna, who was included in Italy’s Euro 2012 squad after helping Torino win promotion to Serie A.

Ogbonna has been linked with Liverpool several times over the last year, and the 24-year recently confirmed the Reds' interest:

"I am flattered by the interest from clubs. Liverpool is a dream club, it is awesome that they are interested in me. I love the Premier League and one day I might play in that league".

In October 2012, Anfield Scouts were dispatched to run the rule over the Italian, who has spoken many times of his desire to play in the Premier League. Indeed, speaking to Tuttosport a couple of months ago, he made this clear once again:

"I would go abroad willingly. I would like to experience other cultures. English football fascinates me, and the style is similar to Torino's one. And I speak English."

In September 2012, Torino director Gianluca Petrachi slapped a big transfer fee on the player:

"There are observers of many foreign clubs who come just to see Ogbonna because he is a player who has great potential. Last year we refused €10m for him but it is clear he is worth more than €16m [£13m]. Angelo has the desire to do better but I believe he should continue to grow with Torino."

Given Torino's comparatively lowly status in Serie A, I doubt they have the bargaining strength to demand a fee as high as €16m, and clubs could probably get him much cheaper than that. Ogbonna can also play at left-back, which would be useful for adding much-needed competition for that position.

Alas, despite his professed admiration for Liverpool, it seems likely that the Italian would reject a move to Anfield. In an interview last night, he said:

"A move abroad? Why not? My dream is to play in a Champions League Final.”

That counts Liverpool out (!)





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72 comments:

  1. He a good defender,and strong, which we are really lacking at the back.

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  2. Yeah, why not. Probably a better option than the Butcher of Bilbao.

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  3. Another Italian. Haven't we had enough trouble with Italian players over the past few years.

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  4. i dont want any italians at the club....its a broad sweeping statement  but they dont settle and are vastly overrated...is there one italian success story in the prem ...di canio at a push was okay

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  5. Zola, DiMatteo. Chelsea did ok with them. Guess it depends on the team. I concede they have never fitted at Liverpool though

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  6. Why would he choose abroad rather than Liverpool?  If he has said he wants to come here and it would be a dream.  If we make him a good deal and meet his valuation, he will come here.  Why have you media people got it stuck in your small minds that Liverpool are not a good enough team for any decent player and that the lad will go abroad?  You do not know how he will decide or his club will decide.  You are not able to read his mind.  Liverpool first became a great club in 1922 and are still a great club.  It is only three years that we almost took the Premiership before we were tore apart by the powers in the board room.  We are rebuilding a new team and will come good again.  Unlike three of the so called top four we have won silverware in the last 12 months.  We may have been disappointed this season, but we have also shown glimpses of how good a team we can be and will be.  He wants to come here and we will get him: the work has most probably been done already!

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  7. I've watched him a couple of times, he's strong, relatively quick for a CB and good in the air. Personally, I'd jump at the chance to sign him seems pretty much perfect for us regardless of the fact he's Italian

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  8. Him and Sahko I think could be a good Centre back pairing,but it would be nice to get one of them this summer and one in the window after that perhaps,because Im not sure putting in two new CBs at the same time would be a good idea

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  9. If you give him enough money, he'll come. ;) 

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  10. We should sign big, super quick and massively athletic defenders. Anyone with the build of a Chris Samba or Micah Richards (both black I concede) and with their level of athleticism will always -- ALWAYS -- have an advantage over the regular big, less strong or fraile (read Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger) or slow (read Jamie Carragher) counterparts.

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  11. Why does it matter that Richards and Samba are black?

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  12. You're absolutely right, our current defenders couldn't cope with the Bentekes, Lakakus, or Hulks of this world. Gone are the days when big strikers or defenders were immobile lumps ala Neil Ruddock or Andy Carroll these belong to a bygone era!
    No disrespect to Agger or Skrtel, they're not athletic enough, in a word we need a beast, one as a CB & also in CM! That Axel guy for Zenith looks like another Fellani in the making, I hope our scouts took note!

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  13. I don't think he is saying that they are black is a problem, it looks like he is just trying to cover his own arse.

    I think the point he is making that he doesn't want to say 'big and athletic' and then list a load of black players because it looks like stereotyping.

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  14. Money talks baby...Show him the money he ll come.

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  15. Does he hoof the ball? If not, Liverpool won't be interested.

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  16. Hahaha I take it you haven't seen liverpool recently? In fact under BR, I find myself wishing we'd hoof it (at least occasionaly) but it seems that hoofing is forbidden.

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  17. Witsel is beyond our reach, financial wise. Zenit signed him for £32.5 million. What a bit of funding by a big gas company can buy you.

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  18. Just like the English they don't tend to learn other languages. This may be one reason for them not settling too well. This guy though claims that he already can speak English. Should make it a lot easier to settle.

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  19. Fabrizio Ravanelli did quite well, too.

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  20. Douglas of Twente is out of contract in the summer, too.

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  21. Yeah he'd be a good back up plan but the Italian league would be more reliable for quality defenders wouldn't it?

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  22. One of those 3 would be great !!!

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  23. Jaap Stam came straight from the Netherlands, too. From the top of my head I couldn't name a single Italian centre back who has made it in the Prem (did anyone try?).

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  24. How about two of them plus Kurt Zouma for Coates? Carra's retiring so we need to replace him. And Skrtel needs replacing, too. Coates doesn't seem to make it here, either. Let's hope any of our youngsters, namely Kelly and Wisdom, can excel in that position, too.

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  25. Haha come to think about it I cant think of one,Probably because there isn't one :D But still,Theres always gotta be a first and why not it be Ogboona

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  26. Yes, he fills me with more confidence than that other defender from Italy we were linked with, Diakite.

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  27. Not so sure about wisdom and kelly, think they prefer the rb Position + they played rb now for a long time.
    But they are in a copetiton so maybe they will switch again.
    skrtel cost us some points this year, but imo he's still a very good defender. If we get the right money for him, we should sell him tho.
    Zouma sounds promising, and I think Williams would be a great addition too.
    the fact is we will buy some defenders, and I'm excited who we will get. Maybe a new goalkeeper from Germany and a winger ?? - we can still dream ;)
    so 2-3 defenders and a goal keeper (I'd prefer Kevin trapp from Frankfurt) + if assaidi can't break threw a winger a la mertens

    This would keep us on a level to challenge in top 4 undoubted.

    Ps: I think coates time at Liverpool is done, he was promising once but failed to really impress..

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  28. With Assaidis performance against Zenit its clearly not his ability wich is holding him back,Id love to know what went on behind the scenes there

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  29. Me too dude, his dribbling skills are awesome, it was no problem for him to get past lazy zenit defenders

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  30. Yep Id agree there,Now Im not a fifa football manager but on Fifa Agbonna has 80 pace..does he really have that kind of pace?

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  31. Oh hopefully we don't go for diakite, lazy and no ball control.. he's like a slow skrtel (;

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  32. Maybe he has an attitude problem or doesn't bother in training because one thing you cant fault Rodgers for it does give players a chance purely based on merit 

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  33. That's because we always bought wrong Italians.  You must be pointing to Dosena, Acqualini & Borini, but there are Zolas, Viallis, Casaraghis & De Canios played in BPL. 

    Dossena was a cheap solution, not the best; we could have got Chelliani, but that would have cost double.  Acqua was unfortunate to be playing under hoof-ball Woy & KD; by the time BR came the relationship was broken & both LFC & Acqua were counting days.  Actually, signing for LFC was more damaging for Acqua than other way round; had hr been playing for a team who keeps the ball more on grass, Acqua would have given Pirlo a real fight for Euro '12 starting Aazzuri spot.  Borini is just too young, but by the look of his first touch, positioning & movement, he can be a top 2nd forward in a seasons time.  

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  34. I don't know to be honest. I couldn't even tell whether or not FIFA is any good in getting close to the actual ability of players. Back in the day Championship Manager did some decent scouting for their game.

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  35. Trapp is a good shout, bit the dark horse as everbody seems to talk about ter Stegen. BTW, where're you from. Your username kind of suggest from Germany.

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  36. Some journos have to ask that at the next press conference. I, too, would like to know.

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  37. Do you remember who is Andrea Dossena and Alberto Aquilani?1 by 1 italian players going to be sinking at LFC.F.Borini also on the way to follow up their step.And now anothers italian players?I feel scare and not confident perhaps he is national team player of italy.Italy players cannot suite to play in BPL league.

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  38. I'm from austria, where football is probably the worst in Europe, so I decided to follow lfc since I was a small boy. Well done Sherlock (; arrogant
    ter Stegen is the best imo but I think he would only go to a cl team. He's one of the biggest prospects in football, and there are many rumors about him going to barca. Don't think we have a chance there. Trapp, always standing in his shadow had a better season right now, and I'm sure he could turn into a pl class keeper very fast.

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  39. Dont know where the "arrogant" comes from, think I wanted to write that ter Stegen is kinda arrogant and selfish player (parts of that are important for a go)

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  40. Maybe yeah, for 3 millions he still was a bargain for us (something i cant really say very often - lfc go for bargains lol)
    I think he lost his confidence in England , he was the best player at his old club ... Think it just takes him time to get pl experience. + living in liverpool, is not familliar to maroccans playing in Netherlands;)

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  41. Aren't most Germans arrogant in the eyes of Austrians (I know it's basically the Piefkes, whom I don't like either).

    To throw in another name, how about Oliver Baumann of Freiburg?

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  42. I have seen few of his matches, he looks be more English then Italian CB - strong, tall, heavy but quick.  Italian defenders are technically best in the game, plays with a high-line zonal marking system & top Italian CBs create the attack from back line.  In 1 on 1 situation, Italian CBs are the best man markers in the world.  Someone like Canevaro was just about 5'9", but he was hell of a man-marker.  Recently, AC's back-line (albeit there were non-Italians) shut down Messi & Berca.

    However, I actually am not convinced that much with Ogbonna.  With the retirement of Carra, we 'll need a strong leader in the back 4 & a very good organizer.  Someone who is very good on the ball & can move up with the ball.  The best pairing I see in BR's style is Hummels & Bonnucchi (Juventus), but neither is likely to join LFC & our owners 'll definitely not spend $50mn for a pair of CBs.  We should target Sakho & Hoewdes before going for Ogbonna or Loveren.   

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  43. I have a lot to connections with germans studying in Austria, some good friends from there, and I have to admit its just as always with neighbouring countrys there's always this patriotic competition, and prejudice .. i don't watch the bundesliga very often just a few times, but a friend told me trapp is the biggest prospect (except ter Stegen)
    following by Baumann and leno
    - + Ron robert zieler is overrated
    that's what I got told

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  44. Followed by

    sorry for my bad English <.<

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  45. Nice Points, we need a cb that can lead the line but you can't get someone in and expect from him to play the vize captain. It would be important if agger steps up and shows he can lead the defensive line. Something that after misses to get a world class defender.
    As a replacement for skrtel, or to give him a competition I would like lfc to buy a in german so called "Fels in der brandung" someone to fight and run for every ball, a cb with the pace and stengh to outmuscle fast strikers and wingers, someone who never stops running.

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  46. I'd like to suggest Cheikhou Kouyate. He's tall, he's strong, fast and seems like he can read a game. He scores goals with both his head and feet. He is also versatile as he could play at CB, RB or DM. What i've seen he could be similar to Yaya Toure.

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  47. The butcher of bilbao, lol made me laugh :D

    Btw: why does everybody want out of bilbao ?

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  48. I have never heard of him.

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  49. Don't know. They seemed to have assembled a very nice team, which now starts falling apart. 

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  50. I really liked Aquilani, but buying him, injured and with quite some injury record, for 17m and then selling him for anywhere between 1.7 and 3m plus possibly still paying some of his wages. Well, I don't know. It was very damaging for us. Had we bought the right player at the time for that money, our fall might have not been so harsh or happened at all.

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  51. If I remember correctly, Wisdom even stated recently that he was more accustomed to playing at CB. And Kelly is behind him and Johnson of course in the pecking order at RB, imho.

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  52. I've never bought into this patriotic competition.

    Yes, I like Trapp, too and Bernd Leno is also a good keeper to have a look at. We should have gone for Neuer a few years ago.

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  53. I wouldn't even have noticed your "bad English".

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  54. Now can someone please send a list containing the following names to our scouts.
    Höwedes, Sakho, Okore, Zouma, Douglas...

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  55. This one helps me improve my English a lot: http://www.dict.cc/?s=fels+in+der+brandung

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  56. Don't like their only-Basque strategy. Not a fan of this attitude.

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  57. Or for Rene adler, both players with a strong mentality :)

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  58. Oh fine then, wisdom will be a fret player, he's consistent at such a Jung age. I'm impressed everyimtime sure there are some parts he has to learn and train on, but with 19 years he's a great prospect

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  59. Remember where Hyypia came from?

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  60. Just like that !!
    Don't only scout the Swansea players Brendan!!

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  61. Yes, still much to learn. Carragher has started a right-back, too, so I don't see the problem switching him to the centre when he has matured a bit.

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  62. Yes, Rene Adler, of course. I always forget about him. If we go for experience instead of youth, he'd be a great option, too.

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  63. I understand it given that they see themselves as an independent people occupied by the Spanish.

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  64. Not many people have so that could make him cheaper, he plays for Anderlecht so in theory that should make him stay cheap. He's also young so that would suit FSG. He's also a good passer of the ball and for his size is quite skilful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pC62GmGUpc I know it's not saying much but on FIFA he's very difficult to get passed and Football Manager consider him a  quality edition to Liverpool.

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  65. Hyypia was a once in a life time player

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  66. Its not Brendan, the scouts get lost outside of Britain and some get homesick.

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  67. ChampsWinnerTraore12:29 am, February 24, 2013

    i think its pretty admirable never been relegated with only locals in the team 

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  68. ChampsWinnerTraore12:31 am, February 24, 2013

    Aqua is a world class play-maker just unlucky with injuries and in all fairness not suited to the prem 

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  69. Give them a sat nab that tells them to get lost if they programme the destination to Swansea :)

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  70. If he was world-class, I wonder why no-one was willing to pay anything more than what we've received for him. That fee is a fee of a youth player, or a Championship player. I'm not suggesting that Aquilani is at such a level, but world-class? No.

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  71. Just had to check that, but you are right and it is quite an achievement indeed.

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