Liverpool and Manchester United continue to be linked with a €20m January bid for Atletico Madrid star Jorge Resurrección Merodio, aka Koke.
Last month, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, claimed that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is a big fan of the midfielder - nicknamed the 'new Xavi' - and this week, The Mirror reports:
"David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers are keen on [signing Koke] in January.
"The reigning Premier League champions and five-time European Cup winners have been keeping tabs on his development"
Koke recently signed a new deal at the Vicente Calderon, which includes a €20m release clause, but according to The Mirror, that fee 'wouldn't prove prohibitive' to either Man Utd or Liverpool.
With two goals and eight assists in thirteen league appearances this season (plus another five goals for Spain) Koke is currently one of Europe's top goal-creators, though given his total last season of nine assists in thirty-three appearances, the evident excitement over the player is, perhaps, a little premature.
Koke is a vital part of the Atletico machine this season, which started the season superbly with eight wins in a row, including a much-cherished derby victory over Real Madrid (the first since the 1990s). Some performance facts about Koke this season:
* Created 17 chances in the first 8 games.
* Nine assists in total (8 league; 1 Champions League)
* 82% passing accuracy.
* 93% tackling success rate.
Vicente del Bosque recently selected Koke for the Spanish national team, and he seems convinced that the youngster is destined for a great future. He told ESPN in August:
“Koke is playing very well for his club. He is very complete in his job in the midfield, and he can do practically everything.”
If Rodgers could pull of this signing it would be a massive transfer coup, but to be honest, I doubt the veracity of this particular rumour. Why would Koke come to Liverpool to play second-fiddle to Lucas, and an ageing Steven Gerrard? He's a regular started for Atletico, and I don't see how that would be the same at Liverpool.
The absolute dream scenario would be a January double-swoop for Koke and long-time LFC target Diego Costa, who is still reportedly being monitored by LFC. In early November, German magazine Sport Bild claimed that Costa has a €24million (£20.1m) release clause in his contract, and soon after, the Daily Express reported:
"Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on alert for £20m hitman Diego Costa. Liverpool bid for Costa this summer but he opted to stay at Atletico, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also monitoring the situation".
Koke has supplied the ammunition for Costa's goals this season, and they'd come to Anfield with a pre-existing understanding. Yes, I know, it'll never happen, but it's exciting to think about it :-)
Author: Jaimie K
Last month, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, claimed that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is a big fan of the midfielder - nicknamed the 'new Xavi' - and this week, The Mirror reports:
"David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers are keen on [signing Koke] in January.
"The reigning Premier League champions and five-time European Cup winners have been keeping tabs on his development"
Koke recently signed a new deal at the Vicente Calderon, which includes a €20m release clause, but according to The Mirror, that fee 'wouldn't prove prohibitive' to either Man Utd or Liverpool.
With two goals and eight assists in thirteen league appearances this season (plus another five goals for Spain) Koke is currently one of Europe's top goal-creators, though given his total last season of nine assists in thirty-three appearances, the evident excitement over the player is, perhaps, a little premature.
Koke is a vital part of the Atletico machine this season, which started the season superbly with eight wins in a row, including a much-cherished derby victory over Real Madrid (the first since the 1990s). Some performance facts about Koke this season:
* Created 17 chances in the first 8 games.
* Nine assists in total (8 league; 1 Champions League)
* 82% passing accuracy.
* 93% tackling success rate.
Vicente del Bosque recently selected Koke for the Spanish national team, and he seems convinced that the youngster is destined for a great future. He told ESPN in August:
“Koke is playing very well for his club. He is very complete in his job in the midfield, and he can do practically everything.”
If Rodgers could pull of this signing it would be a massive transfer coup, but to be honest, I doubt the veracity of this particular rumour. Why would Koke come to Liverpool to play second-fiddle to Lucas, and an ageing Steven Gerrard? He's a regular started for Atletico, and I don't see how that would be the same at Liverpool.
The absolute dream scenario would be a January double-swoop for Koke and long-time LFC target Diego Costa, who is still reportedly being monitored by LFC. In early November, German magazine Sport Bild claimed that Costa has a €24million (£20.1m) release clause in his contract, and soon after, the Daily Express reported:
"Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool on alert for £20m hitman Diego Costa. Liverpool bid for Costa this summer but he opted to stay at Atletico, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also monitoring the situation".
Koke has supplied the ammunition for Costa's goals this season, and they'd come to Anfield with a pre-existing understanding. Yes, I know, it'll never happen, but it's exciting to think about it :-)
Author: Jaimie K
Juan Mata sitting on the Chelsea bench again and the team fails to put a shot on target the entire game. It would be criminal not to test Chelsea's resolve with a 20mil bid in Jan.
ReplyDeleteThey won't want to sell him to us after Sturridge and the fact we're direct competitors for the top four positions. But I can only imagine how upset he must be to not be playing given his talent. We need the goals from midfield and he would be a great coup!
Correction: they f***** up at transfermarkt and I believed them :) it's 7 goals and 5 assists in 13 apps, still impressive
ReplyDeleteTransfermarkt is unreliable for stats and transfer fees. Rakitic's actual stats = 9 goals/5 assists in 20 appearances this season. http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/102251/ivan-rakitic?cc=5739
ReplyDelete£25m for El Shaarawy??? No thank you. He has only had one good half a season and now cant get anywhere near Milans starting lineup. So why is he worth £25m?
ReplyDeleteNot seen enough of Matic but £20m seems a tad expensive for someone who was deemed not good enough for Chelsea and has only been playing in Portugal. Where lets face it Hugo Viana was a star!!
Would he be second fiddle or star man? Gerard is not getting ny younger and Lucas' form is sporadic.But yeah won't happen anyway.
ReplyDelete100% agree...titanically over-rated.
ReplyDeleteThe only telling line is Del Bosque selecting him for Spain. With all that talent to pick from, such a choice says a lot about aplayer.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Mitroglou. Is he a striker?
ReplyDeleteUsualy I check more than one source, I knew it wasn't right just after I pressed enter. 7/5 in 13 are La Liga stats only.
ReplyDeleteThey may sell as Mourinho commented on the Suarez transfer saga saying something like "I don't have a problem with selling to a rival club" then commented on how he finds it one of the bad things about English football. I can't remember when and where I heard/slash/told it but it did happen. Might have been a Portuguese guy at where I work so...
ReplyDelete...until we play him on the wing.
ReplyDeleteStill think he'd be a good signing, from what I've seen.
ReplyDeleteNo where near Stevie G
ReplyDeleteBut 12 years younger than Gerrard...
ReplyDeleteWell, he is a liar & a mean liar. At the expense of Russian mafia money, he 'll not only block Mata or whoever going to any direct rival but also 'll overpay for unnecessary players, just block competitors strengthening their squad. There was absolutely no need to buy Willian, benching Mata.
ReplyDeleteNow, after spending obnoxious amount, the big mouth "Not so special one" is shitting in his pants & shamelessly defended the penalty against WBA.
Why do you think we are being linked with so many DM/CMs ?
ReplyDeleteThat's because our midfield pairing is not good enough. BR has said that the Jan signings will be to improve the first XI and if any player is good enough then Lucas will be the first one to be dislodged, Stevie next. So this statement about playing second fiddle to Lucas doesn't make sense.
Allen is a typical Rodgers player. Hard working, possession based, accurate passer, pressing, technically and tactically adept etc etc etc.
ReplyDeleteTo suggest that Rodgers is just going to throw Allen on the scrap heap is being very premature.
I am not changing my view on Allen having a future at Anfiled thank you very much.
And again: what evidence is there from Allen's LFC career so far that he will become a superstar for Liverpool!
ReplyDeleteWho says you have to change your view? Just explain why, with credible examples, Allen will make it at LFC.
I've given you my personal reasons why I believe he won't make it countless times (as have others), yet you persist in dodging the issue, whilst telling everyone you've right about Allen.
He may be a 'typical Rodgers player', but that doesn't mean he'll make it. If he's such a great player, why does he barely play under Rodgers? Why are LFC looking for more midfielders? What has Allen done to influence LFC's results since he arrived? Where does he fit into the team with Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson all ahead of him? Which of those players will drop out to accommodate Allen?
Yep, you're right. My bad.
ReplyDeleteI also believe Allen is a very good player. He just doesn't fit in at LFC, mainly because he's not the type of player the club needs (IMO)
ReplyDeleteI see the player's ability and I believe records are meant to be broken, so I guess it's time Allen for Allen to prove you wrong! haha!
ReplyDeleteDo you honestly think Gerrard will play each and every match next season should we qualify for the Champions League? There will be EPL, COC, FA Cup and we could even end up in the Europa League.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know exactly which type of midfielders Rodgers is looking for? Rodgers wanted an attacking midfielder at the start of the season i.e. Mkhitaryan and Willian. This would have affected Henderson and even Gerrard. Who is to say that he will not sign another number 10? Who is to say we will sign anybody as clearly FSG will not overpay and will walk away if the deals do not suit them.
The argument about Allen has been going round and round and round and round ever since Allen went for surgery last season and upon his return then picked up another injury and the only person who will put it to bed is Allen. Now that he is back from the injury he picked up in the League cup earlier this season and slowly regains match fitness will see him be involved more this season.
You believe what you want to believe about Allen and I will do the same.
and Rodgers will play Allen where he needs him at that moment.
ReplyDeleteAllen has been played as a defensive mid, holding midfielder and a number 10.
Not even Henderson does has a set position in the team. Rodgers tells the players where to play!
Yes, I believe that you have no argument to back up your position that Allen will come good at LFC.
ReplyDeleteEven if Gerrard doesn't play every game next season, what evidence is there to suggest that Allen will deputise?! Allen is not Gerrard, and cannot do what he does. It is more probable that LFC will sign another midfielder to cover for Gerrard.
There is no way (IMO) that Rodgers will go into a Champions League year relying on Allen, and if he did, it would be negligence.
How do you know he cannot sit in for Gerrard?
ReplyDeleteYou are basing your view on a player who has not played all that much over the last year!!!
Allen was the engine for the Swansea midfield.
It is such a waste of time. Where does a circle end?
Loga, stop bitching about having to debate. If you can't hack discussing simple points about football then stop emphatically telling everyone that Allen will make it at LFC. This site is for debate/discussion about LFC, and if you can't handle being challenged, don't post.
ReplyDeleteThe point is that Allen is quite clearly not a player who is in any way similar to Gerrard. He does not score/create goals regularly; he does not have Gerrard's physical presence; he does not influence teams/results in the same way; he does not have the expansive range of passing and/or set-piece ability; he is not a box-to-box midfielder, and the list goes on. Allen has not been used as a Gerrard stand-in yet, and he's not played that type of role for Wales, Swansea, or LFC, so why would Rodgers replace Gerrard with Allen, a player who can't even get a regular spot in LFC's first team *right now*?
Again, Gerrard is not playing the role which he used to under Benitez. Gerrard now is the dictator of our midfield like Alonso used to be. Allen was the dictator at Swansea so not sure where this is going other than chasing each other around in circles. I have watched enough of Allen from his Swansea days and the beginning of his Anfield career to give me the belief that he will make it at Anfield.
ReplyDeleteIf Allen had never had a problem with his shoulder last season and did not go for surgery then would he have lost his place in the team?
Merry go round.
Why pay the reported amount for Mitroglou when Sidney Sam can be bought for a similar price? And can play on the right side aswell as a striker?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Sam is good enough for English football at the moment. He's a novelty in Germany which explains some of the fuss about him, but his type of player is quite commonplace in the middling clubs of England. I'd rate him around the level of Agbonlahor or Shaun Wright-Phillips, for example.
ReplyDeleteI think that when the FA Cup come around we might be seeing a little more of Allen, and we'll be better equipped to judge his performances then. In my opinion Allen is an adequate squad player but would not make the first 11. I'm not saying he's a bad player, just not good enough to force his way in to our starting line-up. It would have been nice to have had a Carling Cup run this season because Allen would play Stevie's role and we would have been able to see whether or not he can still positively control/influence a game as he did for Swansea. I think Moses, Alberto or, dare I say it; Shelvey would have been a better selection than Allen to start in the derby.
ReplyDeleteIs M'Vila really up to it, do you think? I'm a bit suspicious of the present generation of French midfielders. They seem typified by a lack of appetite for real competitiveness in the middle of the park, and a tendency to try and compensate for that with over-the-top intimidating tackling and physicality.
ReplyDeleteI dunno. Might be talking out of my arse, wouldn't be the first time.
Strengthening Liverpool would weaken the other clubs around us. From one point of view it's in Chelsea's interests to give us the best possible chance of taking points off Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Utd, and Man City.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Mourinho believes Chelsea can better our performance even without Mata, which he might have good reason to, a stronger Liverpool would arguably be in Chelsea's interests. A risky business: one of the games that the most ambitious managers have always played.
To slow for Premiership. Watch him a lot for Croatian team. Technical ability is unquestioned but IMO there is no position for him in this LFC team.
ReplyDeleteI'd have Agbonlahor tbh haha, I think he's teally underrated! Also, if Sam's release clause is as small as it allegedly is he'd be one of the bargains of the season.. And better than our current squad players..
ReplyDeleteSmooth. Very very smooth stuff, very classy. I'm learning a lot from you dude.
ReplyDeleteToo inconsistent.
ReplyDeleteInconsistent player due to being at an inconsistent team.. He was held in higher regard when Villa were a top six team under O'Neill.. Could be similar if he were at the Pool.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, I don't want us to sign him... I'm just saying that if he were available for a small fee, I'd be open to signing him because he can be quality (arguably better than Moses?).
Koke yes, Costa no.
ReplyDeleteGood enough? At what level should he be? At the level of a team that without him should be 6th?
ReplyDeleteHe is at that level, and a bit over that level.
And that is where they will finish this year, or maybe 5th...
Actually he can play as a def mid or as a cam. He would be an ideal signing for our midfield on the only better one I can think of is cabaye.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a bad shout; that kind of player just fills me full of meh.
ReplyDeleteThere's a huge difference between fitness and match fitness, yes Joe Allen is fully fit, but he doesn't have the match fitness, which is needed by playing multiple games. Don't get me wrong, Allen is not my favourite player, but at the end of the day, he is a Liverpool player and as a Liverpool supporter, I support all the players currently playing for Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, for months Allen has been injured, so he can't really be doing much of anything. It's extremely unfair to say someone doesn't fit in when the player has been on the injured list.
ReplyDeleteOk, why did Rodgers say when he came in that he would build his team around Lucas and then for the first half of the season not play Lucas? A thing called injury, which is the same thing that happened to Allen, he got injured and rather than rush him in, because we are finally getting some depth, he is easing him back in, nothing wrong with that. Also the big miss is what a lot of people have been criticising him for lately, including yourself, and granted, it was a dreadful miss, but for him to get himself into that position in the first place, that is a big plus for him.
ReplyDeleteHow is his reputation rock bottom? Because he has been injured and then when he started in a Merseyside derby, he had a good, but not spectacular game and had a miss of the season candidate? Hardly
ReplyDeleteAllen was only in team because Sturridge wasn't fit. There isn't a natural place for him in the starting line up at the moment so to miss that chance in such a big high profile game is not going to do him any favors all you had to do is look at Suarez's reaction . He had a ok game but that doesn't mean anything if you want lfc to challenging for the top places so far since joining the club Allen has showed me that he is not a game changer (and that doesn't mean just scoring goals for me Lucas or Glen Johnson are game changers for the roles they play in the team) and that the club is too big for him and he wouldn't be the first player to find that out, so in my opinion he has 6 months to show some signs of stepping up to that level or he will be sold.
ReplyDeleteI don't fancy him. Not an awful idea, but he's no spring chicken either (he's 28, I think) so the chance of his game becoming more rounded is lessened by his advanced years.
ReplyDelete