Despite signing Valencia full-back Aly Cissokho on loan over the summer, Liverpool continue to be linked with left-backs, and the latest name on the board is Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo.
According to German newspaper Bild this week:
* Liverpool are lining up a bid for Aogo, who could be available for as little as £2.5m.
* Schalke - where he's currently on loan - have agreed a permanent deal, but 'prefers' a move to Anfield.
26-year old Aogo - capped 12 times by Germany - can play as a left-back or defensive midfielder, and that versatility will probably be attractive to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who seems to value positional flexibility above everything else.
Former Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink (sacked September 2013) is a big fan of Aogo, and in a recent interview, he raved:
"There are not many players who are better in his position. He has been consistently performing well. On the left side we lack quality, but he is one of the best going forward and creates goals - we couldn't ask for more."
If Aogo is 'one of the best' in his position, why did Fink loan him out two weeks prior to losing his job?
It's generally not a good sign (IMO) when players in their mid-20s are being loaned out. If they're not good enough to establish themselves at that age, there's must be some kind of problem.
A timely parallel can be made with Aly Cissokho, who is also 26. Valencia loaned him out to Liverpool, and after seeing him play a few times, it's understandable why (!)
If Liverpool are genuinely looking at new left-backs then it much mean that Rodgers is not impressed by Cissokho so far, but replacing him with another cheap, unwanted player is (arguably) not the solution.
On the other hand, perhaps Aogo could turn out to be a bargain-basement superstar, and develop into a great signing for the Reds, but I personally can't see it.
Author: Jaimie K
According to German newspaper Bild this week:
* Liverpool are lining up a bid for Aogo, who could be available for as little as £2.5m.
* Schalke - where he's currently on loan - have agreed a permanent deal, but 'prefers' a move to Anfield.
26-year old Aogo - capped 12 times by Germany - can play as a left-back or defensive midfielder, and that versatility will probably be attractive to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who seems to value positional flexibility above everything else.
Former Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink (sacked September 2013) is a big fan of Aogo, and in a recent interview, he raved:
"There are not many players who are better in his position. He has been consistently performing well. On the left side we lack quality, but he is one of the best going forward and creates goals - we couldn't ask for more."
If Aogo is 'one of the best' in his position, why did Fink loan him out two weeks prior to losing his job?
It's generally not a good sign (IMO) when players in their mid-20s are being loaned out. If they're not good enough to establish themselves at that age, there's must be some kind of problem.
A timely parallel can be made with Aly Cissokho, who is also 26. Valencia loaned him out to Liverpool, and after seeing him play a few times, it's understandable why (!)
If Liverpool are genuinely looking at new left-backs then it much mean that Rodgers is not impressed by Cissokho so far, but replacing him with another cheap, unwanted player is (arguably) not the solution.
On the other hand, perhaps Aogo could turn out to be a bargain-basement superstar, and develop into a great signing for the Reds, but I personally can't see it.
Author: Jaimie K
I've seen rave reviews of Wolfsburgs left back Rodriguez who would arguably be one of the best defenders in Germany at the moment, and is only in his low 20's, also excellent going forward,, I'll keep my fingers crossed that we chose someone other than Cissokho though..
ReplyDeleteAogo had a fallout with Fink because of a disciplinary issue (he traveled to Mallorca to attend a party on an off day when he was supposed to recuperate after a game).
ReplyDeleteThere can be no comparisons between Cissokho and Aogo IMO. Aogo has consistently been one of the best LBs in Germany for at least the last three years. His last cap for Germany was in June this year, and he is one of the best players at Schalke this season. Cissokho, on the other hand, has been second choice for the last 4 or 5 years, and has not been capped for France for many years.
Spend the cash on someone who can be another Johnston but with better defensive capacity use Jose as backup.
ReplyDeleteSorted.
Cissokho isn't the answer. Been disappointed with him.
"Aogo had a fallout with Fink because of a disciplinary issue (he traveled to Mallorca to attend a party on an off day when he was supposed to recuperate after a game)."
ReplyDeleteThis is not a very accurate way of describing what really happened. Let me put the record straight.
1) Hamburg were thrashed by Hoffenheim at home by 1-5 on a Saturday.
2) Fink, despite the heavy defeat, decided to give his players two days off (Sunday and Monday), because he lives in Munich and wanted to spend some time with his family himself. When that became clear, Fink was heavily criticized by fans and media.
3) A few days later it turned out that Aogo had been on a trip to Mallorca from Sunday to Monday. He claimed that he had only been there to see his agent, who lives there. Aogo denied that he went there to party.
4) Fink confirmed that Aogo did not party, but since he was under severe critcism for his decision to give the players two days off, he still punished him for something he called "a lack of situational awareness" and that he should not have left the impression that he went away on holidays.
In my opinion, this is an epic fail by Fink in terms of man management. Aogo did nothing wrong really as he is a role model of a professional football player and in his reputation was just damaged because Fink couldn't handle the heat coming his way and made Aogo a scapegoat.
Aogo then fled to Schalke (arguably an upgrade on HSV) and Fink was sacked a few weeks later.
Luke shaw all day long or Ben Davies at Swansea .
ReplyDeleteThe owners need to give B Rodgers 60-75m In January to bring in these 6 class , quality players for these key positions:
ReplyDeleteDefensive players:
1: GK: Good class quality competition and Cover for Mignolet: A Mccarthy(23) Of Reading should be brought for 5-8M (Estimate)
2: LB: Good Class quality competition and Cover for Enrique: S Umtiti(19) Of Lyon for 6-9M (Estimate)
3: DM: Good Competition and Cover for Lucas Leiva: M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan for 8-12M (Estimate)
Attacking/creative/ Offensive Players:
4: CM: Good class Competition for Henderson: Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle for 12-18M (Estimate)
5: RW / RWF: Good competition and cover for Sterling: M Salah(21) Of Basel or J Montero(23) Of Monarcas Morelia in Mexico for 6-15M (Estimate)
6: LW / LWF: Class quality Cover and Competition for IBE: B Arfa(26) Of Newcastle or D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal for 5-16M (Estimate)
Good reasoning here, RE players being loaned out in their mid 20's. As you say, there are parallels with Cissokho, and even us loaning Assaidi to Stoke. I was initially excited about this given he is a German International for E2.5m, but if we do make a move, I'd really hope its a well researched move rather than a gamble. Perhaps going for a younger left back (Between Ages 21-24) with raw talent might be the way to go. Rodgers has Enrique as an acceptable first choice, and the younger LB can play reserve. He'll also be less inclined to make a fuss over being left on the bench, this season. Rodriguez from Wolfsburg would be great, but I daresay he might start ahead of Enrique from what I have heard.
ReplyDeletethats alot of money to spend in Jan. I think a more realistic figure would be closer to 20m....possibly up to 40m if the owners feel its necessary to push for that top 4 place, and if they can be convinced the club are spending it wisely. I just can't see a 60-75m Jan spend happening.
ReplyDeleteReckon Rodgers will look to strengthen LB and defensive midfield as the two priority areas.
A young LB will possibly hinder and stagnate Robinson's development which might be the reason why BR is not buying in that age group. I am sure Robinson can be better than Shaw and it'll be them competing for LB position in England squad sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteFabio Coentrao In the summer. We have note pressing concerns in January.
ReplyDeleteGot to get champions league though. But would add undoubted quality in a position that is very hard to find top players.
One of the best in the world and second fiddle at Madrid.
Let's take a Tottenham target for a change.
Left Back is the one position that has been haunting us since we got rid of Riise.
ReplyDeleteIf we are willing to break the bank for a long term LB then look no further than Ben Davies from Swansea.
Also would like to see us target world class players.
ReplyDeleteCover for hendo isn't enough we should want players better than him to progress.
So if he's as good as all that buy him. And with menez contract up in the summer we could get him for 8mil.
ReplyDeleteHazza, 20M wouldn't get you one world class striker these days and we have been linked with Pastore and El Shaarwaay recently yet, both these would cost 25m plus.
ReplyDeleteOur club needs the 6 players in January:
But if owners are tight as usual, then Rodgers will still need 55m to bring in these 4 players.
These 4 players out of the 6, would keep us in the hunt for a top 1- 4 position all the way through season
Defensive Player:
1:DM: Good Competition and Cover for Lucas Leiva: M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan for 8-12M (Estimate)
Attacking/creative/ Offensive Players:
2: CM: Good class Competition for Henderson: Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle for 12-18M (Estimate)
3: RW / RWF: Good competition and cover for Sterling: M Salah(21) Of Basel or J Montero(23) Of Monarcas Morelia in Mexico for 6-15M (Estimate)
4: LW / LWF: Class quality Cover and Competition for IBE: B Arfa(26) Of Newcastle or D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal for 5-16M (Estimate)
Those minimum amount of players needed in January is 4 and if club want class, quality they will have to pay for class, quality.
Those 4 players are all for first team and we would be able to rest S Gerrard regularly and give him the rest he needs to prolong his time at club. And in if we had these 4 players brought to club in January, then a fully fit and injury Cabaye and M'Vila would dominate centre of the park with Coutinho having that free role behind the strikers.
And with Salah/Montero and Arfa/Capel, we would have wingers on each wing with class, creativity, pace, skill, speed, width and goals in them.
You know what, IMO there's not one player you've mentioned who's above average, except maybe Cabaye and he's hardly a world beater.
ReplyDeleteGabz, you certainly have no clue about football if that is what you honestly think.
ReplyDeleteCabaye(27) is better than Allen and Henderson individually?
M'Vila(23) is more mobile, quicker, stronger, harder in tackle and better than Lucas?
Umtiti is better than Cissokho now and is only 19 and still improving?
A Mccarthy(23) is a awesome young GK he better than B Jones now and will be future England GK.
Salah(21) and Arfa(26) are better than any of the wingers that we currently have at club, so how can you say all these players are average? Most of them are better than what we currently have in first 11, let alone as back up.
Cabaye(27) and M'Vila(23) fully fit and injury free would both get into most teams in world football, they are both better than Allen, Henderson and Lucas.
Umtiti is a young pacey quick lively left back, who would give Enrique a run for his money week in week out.
Twistadee - in future, make your points without belittling people (i.e. your opening sentence). Do that again, and your entire post will be deleted, irrespective of the merits of your argument. Debate in the right way, or don't post at all.
ReplyDeletedat kid done enough for me in that clip for 2.5
ReplyDeleteGood explanation
ReplyDeleteFor that price (2.5mn, though I doubt), anyone at 26 & having 12 German senior Cap (last one as latest as in June '13) is a steal. What worst can happen - Aogo might not fit into English game (shouldn't be - he is 183cm, built like a tank, extremely quick & comes from Bundesliga, which is closest to EPL), might not fit into BR system (again shouldn't be - German players are extremely good in technical aspects & high pressing game) - we can always recoup the money if it doesn't work; after all we are not paying 35mn for a mostly unfit donkey. But, but, if he clicks, we can get a German international starter, at 26, to play at his peak for another 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI always think these are very good investment & unless you have a sugar daddy, success in these sort of deals that takes a club forward.
I think we ought to spend some good money to LBs and RBs instead of going after rejects from other clubs.
ReplyDeleteCabaye and M'vila fully fit and injury free . Hmmm a worry there straight away and in your own words.
ReplyDeleteNever seen him play but I agree with your thesis; if still loaned at 28' play the odds and walk away......move on!
ReplyDeletewhat was wrong with that? we are adults its not rude or anything. We ain't kids, this is not primary school. If i was insulting the individual or being rude, then i would get your rant. But this is pathetic and ridiculous to be honest
ReplyDeleteAny good class players our club sign, i hope stay injury free and fit. And in Cabaye(27) and M'Vila(23) we would have two international players who cost the same amount we spent on Allen and Henderson. But both those players are much better than Allen and Henderson
ReplyDelete