Last season, Derby County boss (and ex-Red) Nigel Clough confirmed that Liverpool scouts regularly visited Pride Park to run the rule over Rams wonderkid Will Hughes, who made his debut for England U21 team in November. Well, it appears that the Reds are stepping up their interest in the youngster, and will look to conclude a deal before the transfer window closes.
According to The Mirror, LFC scouts are once again keeping a close eye on Hughes:
"Brendan Rodgers wants Derby County midfield marvel Will Hughes, [and plans] to groom him as the next Steven Gerrard.
"Rodgers's spies have been homing in on Hughes, who is [also] being monitored by Manchester City and Arsenal".
Speaking to the BBC in January, Clough confirmed Liverpool's interest in Hughes:
"Liverpool scouts come to watch him. If an offer comes in we’ll look at it and see if it’s in the best interests of the club. It's inevitable that he'll attract attention"
Barcelona reportedly compiled a transfer dossier on £10m-rated Hughes, but when asked about this recently, the youngster dismissed the idea out of hand. He told reporters:
"That is all a bunch of lies, rumours, as are all the stories about me. I get told about them but they just go straight over my head"
When asked last week about speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, Hughes - recently described as 'a real talent' and 'exciting to watch' by Stuart Pearce - told reporters:
“I have not heard anything or been told anything about any speculation since my injury and I prefer to keep it that way. In a way, that is a relief. I just want to get on with my football and keep my mind on my football, which I feel I have always done.”
In a recent interview with the Derby Telegraph, Clough also seemed resigned to losing Hughes sooner rather than later:
"I would expect there to be more interest in Will if he starts off as well as he did last season. In a way, we hope there is, because it would mean he’s playing well for us,”
Derby County youth tea coach Darren Wassall is convinced Hughes is destined for greatness, and during an interview in May, he raved:
“Will is a great example and a great inspiration. He hit the ground running in July from the very first training session and he just got better and better as the weeks and months went on"
Hopefully Gerrard will remain a Liverpool player for a few years yet, but at some point, the club must address his inevitable retirement, and the sooner the search begins for a potential long-term replacement, the better.
I don't see anyone in the youth set-up who stands out as a potential replacement for Gerrard, which means the club will have to broaden its search for candidates.
The key question is, should Liverpool sign an experienced, established midfielder to replace Gerrard, or groom a young player (like Hughes) to take his place in the team?
One potential plus: Clough is Anfield alumni, which means the Reds could possibly have the advantage if/when the bidding for Hughes begins.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to The Mirror, LFC scouts are once again keeping a close eye on Hughes:
"Brendan Rodgers wants Derby County midfield marvel Will Hughes, [and plans] to groom him as the next Steven Gerrard.
"Rodgers's spies have been homing in on Hughes, who is [also] being monitored by Manchester City and Arsenal".
Speaking to the BBC in January, Clough confirmed Liverpool's interest in Hughes:
"Liverpool scouts come to watch him. If an offer comes in we’ll look at it and see if it’s in the best interests of the club. It's inevitable that he'll attract attention"
Barcelona reportedly compiled a transfer dossier on £10m-rated Hughes, but when asked about this recently, the youngster dismissed the idea out of hand. He told reporters:
"That is all a bunch of lies, rumours, as are all the stories about me. I get told about them but they just go straight over my head"
When asked last week about speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League, Hughes - recently described as 'a real talent' and 'exciting to watch' by Stuart Pearce - told reporters:
“I have not heard anything or been told anything about any speculation since my injury and I prefer to keep it that way. In a way, that is a relief. I just want to get on with my football and keep my mind on my football, which I feel I have always done.”
In a recent interview with the Derby Telegraph, Clough also seemed resigned to losing Hughes sooner rather than later:
"I would expect there to be more interest in Will if he starts off as well as he did last season. In a way, we hope there is, because it would mean he’s playing well for us,”
Derby County youth tea coach Darren Wassall is convinced Hughes is destined for greatness, and during an interview in May, he raved:
“Will is a great example and a great inspiration. He hit the ground running in July from the very first training session and he just got better and better as the weeks and months went on"
Hopefully Gerrard will remain a Liverpool player for a few years yet, but at some point, the club must address his inevitable retirement, and the sooner the search begins for a potential long-term replacement, the better.
I don't see anyone in the youth set-up who stands out as a potential replacement for Gerrard, which means the club will have to broaden its search for candidates.
The key question is, should Liverpool sign an experienced, established midfielder to replace Gerrard, or groom a young player (like Hughes) to take his place in the team?
One potential plus: Clough is Anfield alumni, which means the Reds could possibly have the advantage if/when the bidding for Hughes begins.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Surely you need more than a good touch to be worth 10 million. Because that is all I noticed from his YouTube clip.
ReplyDeleteIf we spend another 10mil on a youngster regardless of how good he is and he is very good, I really am going to struggle to support reds. Ive already invested years of my life supporting them with a couple of trophies and title challenges here and there but whats the point when we're developing into a side little more than a selling club. Because even though Coutinho is a revelation and Aspas is looking like a bright signing. Neither are going to make us title contenders (or even 4th contenders) without better quality around them. And will probably look to move on. Spurs are in the same boat as us - a few stand out players at a recognized club - yet seem to sign quality players whilst we fight for 17year olds. Whats to stop these "players for the future" leaving once theyve developed into better players? nothing.
ReplyDeletewell go support another club then , plastic supporters ,what a ridiculous comment you have posted ,
ReplyDeleteMa magaaaaaaaareeeeeeeee
ReplyDeletewe have been linked with this kid on and off for a while...hes not 10m and hes not the next gerrard
ReplyDelete...fair enough; but : -
ReplyDelete1. We've a better squad on paper than last season with players that are more likely to play as opposed to the ones we've gotten rid of.
2. What happens if we dont become a "selling club" and manage to retain these players?
3. Coutinho had 6 months with a new squad and completely blew us all away in that time. He now is much more settled and will surely only develop. So why couldnt he make us contenders for 4th?
4. Spurs at the minute seem more likely to lose their star player than us.
5. THE WINDOW IS STILL OPEN. Even if we dont look like signing anyone - its still 3 weeks and who knows whats going on behind the scene.
I hear Norwich have spent some money - go support them :D
I don't think you get legendary players as easily the club is making us think. Gerrard was a, is a and will be a LEGEND forever. I don't think this guy is worth anything near 10M TBH.
ReplyDelete14 people already agree with u....are u guys blind ...can't u see what Liverpool is turning into.who are these youngsters going to look up. Its a shame. When people try to be real u say they are plastic .
ReplyDeleteNo need blow 10m on this kid, that can be spent on proven quality.We already have a young SG in JORDAN ROSSITER.
ReplyDeletegloryhunters can go and support city. even if it takes 10 years to get back to top im willing to wait aslong as we climb up the right way. TROUGH YOUTH SETUP instead of buying expensive selling cheap that weve been doing lately.
ReplyDeleteI was against the mooted signing of Eriksen before, as I felt that he duplicated Coutinho too much, but it looks like Allen & Henderson will be the players taking the advanced midfielder role if/when Coutinho is unavailable, and neither is of the quality required as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteWith that being the case, I hope LFC stops messing about Suarez and starts buying his replacements asap - which means a first team calibre forward and another creative midfielder have to come quickly.
We'll just have to hope that Rodgers, unlike Dalglish, gets lucky in his decision to overlook bringing more power into the spine of the team...
I can,t wait for countinho this season like Jackie said only six months and gonna get more gelled with the team, but even better he will be playing out of his skin to get noticed for his home world cup squad, cannot wait just hope we get off to a win next week. COM'ON U REDS
ReplyDeleteP.S always keep the faith
He does look like he has potential, but he's worth around 2m at the moment, not 10 whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteHe is also an LFC supporter, so I don't reckon he will need much persuasion.
We're not going to replace Gerrard due in my opinion to it being impossible. Hes a local lad blessed with talent and players of his ilk come around once in a blue moon. From the first few games like fowler and owen you could see the talent straight away. When was the last time a player did that from our youth set up.
ReplyDeleteHe has a lot to prove before he can be considered as an £10 million pound player. At the minute all he has is potential and I personally don't ever see him being good enough to replace Gerrard. The only English player i can see being good enough to replace Gerrard is Wilshere and that will never happen. Keep Scouting Liverpool :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd rather bring Spearing back haha
ReplyDeleteHe needs games at Derby then if he does well then he needs premiership experience and if he proves he can cut it in the premiership then maybe.
I'd keep scouting him and see what he's like in a couple of years.
To date we have signed 15 NEW STEVEN GERARDS AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN RUBBISH
ReplyDeleteIs this one of the two MAJOR SIGNINGS RODGERS PROMISED ????
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite a lot of Hughes. He looks like Schweinsteiger, plays like Laudrup; it's amazing that he's English. Actually reminds me of a young Gerrard, a lanky streak of talent. He'll be a great signing in the long run, and I've been hoping that this one would come through, so I'm happy. Upgrade on wee Spearing that's for sure; and there'll be some experience added to the squad as well before the window shuts, I've no doubt. There are about 50 players in Europe holding out for interest from CL clubs, all of them decent players; they'll start moving once it's clear that interest isn't going to materialise.
ReplyDeleteIve actually seen this kid play before this video, hes a very talented. he looks very intelligent and i must admit i like the way he plays. very close ball control and very unselfish. rarely looses the ball. very composed, funnily, he plays slightly like coutinho but less skill. always looking for the through ball and very intelligent in the runs he makes. he opens up alot of space for teammates, and whether or not its the championship it does not matter because players with these kind of roles are made just to assist, so i dont see why he cant do it at liverpool.
ReplyDeletePlus, hes only just turned 18, already 6 ft 1 and is very determined to develop. he basis his games on Iniesta's and to be honest i wouldnt be suprised if Barcelona bid for him because its not just about ability, its about intelligence as well. If barcelona believe his intelligence can develop their play, why not? just because hes english and he plays in the championship, dont write him off. hes got 5 more years until he is 23 and in 5 years he will do 5 seasons of development and could be a finished article by that time.
I'd bid about 7M at max for the kid, with maybe a loan back clause. but i would welcome him at liverpool and im sure he grow together with our other young stars like coutinho, ibe, sterling, alberto and suso. Will Hughes has alot of potential believe it or not, much more than both Zaha and Ince and i strongly believe he will be a world class player
Actually scratch that, he reminds me of Robert Prosinečki.
ReplyDeleteso what are you saying ? we can have the scraps
ReplyDeleteMore like silva if you ask me. 10 mill? Really? Why the hell would we pay that much for a kid. Where is this 'marquee' signing?! My goodness
ReplyDeleteI don't know the guy and I would not be surprised if he was really good. That said, we are at the doorstep of another season with experienced quality at defense,midfield and striker. If we are going to march forward with Aspas, Ibe and Alberto ok, roll the dice. All the more reason to bulk up the defense and midfielder.
ReplyDelete£10mill for potential, no thanks, there are dozens of young Spaniards same age same potential, 20% of the price.
ReplyDeletehe's far more silkier than gerrard at the same age.
ReplyDeleteNext Gerrard. We've just sold the next Gerrard to Swansea for a pittance
ReplyDeleteThat said, he has the awkward hair, doesn't score enough and same mobility as Gerrard did at that age. As for the pricetag, I remember Chelsea being ridiculed for paying 11 million for Lampard when he was 22 or so because it was way too much for such a young player. If you're good enough, you're old enough. Smalling and Jones weren't twenty either when Man U signed them for a similar amount.
ReplyDeleteThe difference this season is much weaker Arsenal side who are certainly not guaranteed a top 4 finish this season. All it takes is for LFC to get back into the CL and you will see a rise in standard and belief across the squad. IMO if we sneak top 4 this season, we'll be playing CL football for some years to come.
ReplyDelete...who will be angling for moves back to Spain at the end of their first or second contracts.
ReplyDeleteBase on this video cut scene...they playing football more attractive than us hahahaa
ReplyDeleteNOBODY is saying we should make a big money buy , all that is been said is that we should spend on rebuilding the current squad ...how do u think about what u will take for supper when u haven't soughted out lunch....we should with immediate effect concentrate on building this squad to be title contenders ,tottenham has been 4th and 5th for 4 seasons ..and they keep improving their squad we need players in this squad not spending 10mill on "the next Gerrard"....tell me ...what does Luis alberto do that Suso cannot do.?
ReplyDelete£10m? how about £2.5m with add ons to reach £10m if he does well. Also only give him £5k a week and if he does really well, his bonuses will take it up to more. Stop giving teenagers multi million pound deals, it ruins their careers.
ReplyDeleteWe've got the next Gerrard already Conor Coady
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but his transfer fee will rise as he'll progress. Maybe we can sign him on a long term contract and loan him out back to Derby for the season.
ReplyDeleteThe question i would ask is; can you really justify paying £10 million for him in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Derby fan and have seen him play quite a bit over the last year. I can honestly say that if you get him for 10 million, in a few years time you'll laugh at the fact you even questioned whether he was overpriced. If you saw him against Blackburn at the start of the year he picked some beautiful passes, dribbled well and tackled fantastically. I can not speak highly enough of him. He will play for England one day. Fact
ReplyDeleteAlso he is a big Liverpool fan
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info :-)
ReplyDeleteOf course not, as I said, I think he currently worth no more than 2-3m
ReplyDeleteHit the nail on the head! I'd honestly say go in for about 5 mill.. with the offer to loan him back to them for 2 season, he'd gain so much experience and still only be 20!
ReplyDeleteI apologize, didn't see you said that first time around. If we could get him for £2 - £3 million then yes i agree it could make sense to sign him on a long contract and loan him back.
ReplyDeleteErrr Robert Prosinečki was cut from a different cloth.
ReplyDeleteLets stop comparing him to other people and just concentrate on him being the best Hughes he can be. Remember G Houllier saying Traore reminded him of Thuram? Biscan the new Zidane???
>>>>>>>>>>>>
You're right, of course!
ReplyDelete