With the January transfer window just around the corner, Liverpool are still reportedly tracking Olympiakos goal-machine Konstantinos Mitroglou, but may have to fend off stiff competition from Arsenal to secure the striker's signature.
Last month, Greek newspaper Gazetta claimed that Brendan Rodgers is keen to make a January bid for Mitroglou - who is allegedly available for €8m and according to The Mirror today:
"Rodgers has had [Mitroglou] watched on a number of occasions by head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter.
"Both were present to watch him net three times in Greece's World Cup play-off against Romania last month"
If Rodgers sends his two top scouts to watch a player then that clearly signifies serious interest in the player. Olympiacos boss Michel also appears to be resigned to losing Mitroglou, as he told Reporters this week:
"If he keeps on doing well, it will be hard to keep him. We’ve known for some time that there is interest from many clubs, but that’s only logical considering how well he has been doing lately."
With 17 goals in 15 games - including FOUR hat-tricks - Mitroglou is in record-breaking form this season for Olympiakos.
* First career hat-trick in a 5-0 away win against Levadiakos.
* Second hat-trick in a 4-0 home win against Skoda Xanthi, becoming the first player in Olympiacos' history (as well as the Greek League), to score two consecutive hat-tricks.
* Third hat-trick in a 3-0 away win against Anderlecht in the Champions League group stage, making Mitroglous the first Greek player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.
* Another hat-trick four days later in a 6-0 home win against Veria, becoming the first player in Greek history to score four hat-tricks in one season.
In December, Mitroglou scored two goals against Arsenal in the Champions League, and after the game Arsene Wenger hailed the striker. He enthused:
"Mitroglou scored two great goals. The first one in London was a great header and tonight was a fantastic goal as well, I must say. I won’t say more because if I do you’ll think I want to buy him,"
Any cut-price striker signed by the Reds in January will have to face the inevitable prospect of constantly being on the bench as there's no way that Suarez will be displaced. Mitroglou plays every game for Olympiakos, so why would he choose to swap regular pitch time with endless bench duty, or being played out of position (which is a strong possibility)?
The only way Mitroglou will get regular game-time is if Rodgers reverts back to 352, and I doubt anyone wants to see that happen, especially with the team in such scintillating form using the preferred 433 formation. Of course, there's the FA Cup to come, and if the Greek signs, he will have a big chance of starting those games.
Mitroglou is on a hot scoring streak right now, but with the greatest respect, this is the Greek League we're talking about, and at the age of 25, his career goalscoring record (overall) is not the greatest. In my view, Liverpool should wait until the end of the season to see if Mitroglou maintains his form, as it could just be a significant purple-patch in form.
Author: Jaimie K
Last month, Greek newspaper Gazetta claimed that Brendan Rodgers is keen to make a January bid for Mitroglou - who is allegedly available for €8m and according to The Mirror today:
"Rodgers has had [Mitroglou] watched on a number of occasions by head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter.
"Both were present to watch him net three times in Greece's World Cup play-off against Romania last month"
If Rodgers sends his two top scouts to watch a player then that clearly signifies serious interest in the player. Olympiacos boss Michel also appears to be resigned to losing Mitroglou, as he told Reporters this week:
"If he keeps on doing well, it will be hard to keep him. We’ve known for some time that there is interest from many clubs, but that’s only logical considering how well he has been doing lately."
With 17 goals in 15 games - including FOUR hat-tricks - Mitroglou is in record-breaking form this season for Olympiakos.
* First career hat-trick in a 5-0 away win against Levadiakos.
* Second hat-trick in a 4-0 home win against Skoda Xanthi, becoming the first player in Olympiacos' history (as well as the Greek League), to score two consecutive hat-tricks.
* Third hat-trick in a 3-0 away win against Anderlecht in the Champions League group stage, making Mitroglous the first Greek player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.
* Another hat-trick four days later in a 6-0 home win against Veria, becoming the first player in Greek history to score four hat-tricks in one season.
In December, Mitroglou scored two goals against Arsenal in the Champions League, and after the game Arsene Wenger hailed the striker. He enthused:
"Mitroglou scored two great goals. The first one in London was a great header and tonight was a fantastic goal as well, I must say. I won’t say more because if I do you’ll think I want to buy him,"
Any cut-price striker signed by the Reds in January will have to face the inevitable prospect of constantly being on the bench as there's no way that Suarez will be displaced. Mitroglou plays every game for Olympiakos, so why would he choose to swap regular pitch time with endless bench duty, or being played out of position (which is a strong possibility)?
The only way Mitroglou will get regular game-time is if Rodgers reverts back to 352, and I doubt anyone wants to see that happen, especially with the team in such scintillating form using the preferred 433 formation. Of course, there's the FA Cup to come, and if the Greek signs, he will have a big chance of starting those games.
Mitroglou is on a hot scoring streak right now, but with the greatest respect, this is the Greek League we're talking about, and at the age of 25, his career goalscoring record (overall) is not the greatest. In my view, Liverpool should wait until the end of the season to see if Mitroglou maintains his form, as it could just be a significant purple-patch in form.
Author: Jaimie K
If you wait till next season how do we know he will be on the same form. Case Point Demba Ba!
ReplyDeletePlease no!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo for Mohammed Salah, and try to lure Axel Witsel from Russia if not get Will Hughes for next new season; if we can lure a decent CM in the winter.
I think going from being the big fish in the little pond to being the new guy surrounded by big egos and bigger wages might have something to do with BA's apparent demise.
ReplyDeletegood points.
ReplyDeleteJamie, Mitroglou is Greek not Turkish!
ReplyDeleteAny striker we bring in would be required to work just the same as Suarez and Sturridge. Both players are willing work hard and cover large areas of the pitch. They switch wide when needed and come deep to help in the build up. Neither of them are played as all-out center forwards just waiting to run off the shoulder of defenders and bang in a few goals. With both of them playing together successfully we could, in theory, have three such players up front. Would that really work with a front three all with those kinds of qualities? I could see the players having to work in a triangular formation where every time we attack there would tend to be one player going wider and one player staying deeper. There would be no fixed roles, it's just a question of the players being adaptable to those kinds of tasks and then the player in the best position fills the role as needed.
ReplyDeleteSo if Mitroglou is just an out-and-out goal scorer then no, we shouldn't be interested in him. He would need to be a player capable of playing with SAS in a front three and that means flexibility. He doesn't have to be pigeon holed into a fixed "wide" or "deep" role but he does need to be able to play in those areas as part of being a roaming striker. Only Rodgers could tell us if that's something he's considering. Right now with Sturridge injured we're playing more like a 4-3-2-1. Also any new attacker coming into the team puts a question mark over Coutinho and where he might play.
Agree. As much as I would like to see Mitroglou in red, I believe this would be solving problems we don't have. We have two superb strikers and he would be the third. Is the thinking that M+ sits the bench waiting for the inevitable Sturridge injury? Seems like a waste. We have solved two big problems: a leaky defense and a potent offense. The challenge now is solving, for the long term...not just one Spurs stomping...a mid-field that is inconsistent in mind-set and performance. Since the mid-field si going to do the lion's share of the running, it stands to reason you have a solid corps of MFs like Arsenal, Citeh, and...I thought...until Sunday...Spurs. Does anybody believe we possess a solid phalanx of mid-fielders that are interchangeable so as to stay rested and fresh for a League Cup, FA Cup, PL and...I hope...a UCL season?
ReplyDeleteWonder what happened to all of our fans that wanted to sign Benteke? He never gets mentioned anymore. You will find that the same fans wanted Ba...
ReplyDeleteI guess that is why there is fantasy football :-)
I have watched the lower right video twice now and really the defenders in those videos are terrible. How they leave this guy so unmarked is beyond believeable. It isn't like he can hide...he's huge.
ReplyDeleteSalah should be the number one priority which would allow for a free flowing attack of three up top switching from center to wide roles. Countinho can be the supplier to the three with a rotation of sterling playing wide filtering balls into the box. Also the team needs a more solid and talented DM than Lucas. Lastly Bertrand should be the a very important signing. Besides that Adding depth to positions with young player under 10 million euros if available would be good for the team.
ReplyDeleteDon't understand the clamor for mass signings this Jan. We have very good academy players and decent players on loan. Would like to see a concerted effort to sign Juan Mata for immediate impact and Will Hughes for the future. If we signed these 2 players it would satisfy me.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest question I have is this: if he's so good, why can we get him so cheaply? He is only 25. Granted he's played in the greek league. But he's shown success. It just sounds like for a player in demand by Arsenal and LFC, there's not much of a market to drive up the price...
ReplyDeleteAnd I wonder why.
That's not a criticism. Just an hones observation/question.
Perfectly stated. Focus is on midfield first.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit suspicious with the €8mn amount - good players aren't priced that low in this inflated market. It's not that other Managers & scouts are blind or stupid not to spot such a bargain. I don't think M'glu is technically that good, skillful or quick. He might be powerful, which might do the trick in a much lower (& slower) Greek league (with due respect) as a target man, but I doubt his prospect in a much faster, more physical & few grade superior EPL, specially being part of a 3/4 men fast, interchanging & tactical forward line.
ReplyDeleteUnless we find a real bargain like Coutinho (which happens once in few seasons), I don't think we should buy players in the range of €7-€12mn range - there should be enough young potentials in the reserves & Academy. These are basically squad players & if we are to buy squad players, there is no point having a much vaunted Academy.
I think, we have a brilliant starting XI, but with very little coverage. There are only 3 spots in the squad which needs to be strengthen for starting XI - a left back, a defensive mid-fielder & a versatile winger capable of playing in any 4 of the attacking position (LW, RW, CF or AM). We can have a world class LB for around €12-15m, a DM for another €12-15m. The are not many who can fill the 3rd requirement, but if we are to spend in Jan, spend big & go for Mata (probably €42-45m, but worth every penny).
May be expecting too much, but it might happen that extra expense of €20-25m could be the deference of €100m (CL miss & subsequently over paying for marque purchase)
what I was pointing out is we don't need a lot of signings this Jan. One class player for the mid-field (Juan Mata) and Hughes because he is a talented youngster and LFC fan for the future. I don't like football fantasy I don't play computer or console games not interested in that. I just would like to see LFC make sensible signings without risk taking on proven players. Would much prefer big money spent to sign class than a lot of cheaper signings that nearly always fail as what happened last summer.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with both the above commentators. Both Allen and Hendersen were very good signings. Only the price paid is in question. Anyway it's money already spent so we should look to the future and learn from the past. What we need is a class proven player for our mid-field. I would suggest Juan Mata fits the bill perfectly. The guy is pure class and obviously not happy at Chelski. Just imagine him and Coutinho in our mid-field. Suarez would have a field day with such service. Also Sturridge when he returns. Sign Mata and Hughes (lend Hughes back to Derby for remainder of season). We have already class waiting in the wings for a chance in the first team. They are our back-up. No need to spend on many players this Jan. Just get Mata!!!!!!!!.
ReplyDeletetotally agree. Sign Mata imperative even if he is the only signing. Flanno can fill at LB until Enrique returns. Flanno is case in point that we have the youngsters already to cover for the first team.
ReplyDeleteIt would make more sense to spend on wide players i doubt weather Mitroglus credentials stack up to Aspas who should be given time in his preferred position.
ReplyDeleteTo me its a waste of money i think Aspas would surprise a few and Mitroglu is just a big fish in a small pond and will be unlikely to hit the ground running and thats vital.
There are news making rounds that Liverpool are trying to tie down Luis Suarez in a new record long term agreement and Ayre flew down to Barca to talk to Pere Guardiola, his agent. What do you think Jaimie? Any truth? Even if its true, I don't think Suarez will commit to Liverpool until the end of the season and even if he does, it will be at least after this Christmas period (Chesea and Man city game).
ReplyDeleteI think Flano and Enrique are good enough at the moment, I would still buy 3, AM, Winger and DM. Mata obviously is brilliant target but also unlikely since the like of PSG are monitoring him.
ReplyDeleteI would still take benteke. he is very young and talented, his slump is due to the team around him not being very good and to get out of a slump when your team isn't helping very much is pretty hard. I never liked ba though he was a good signing for chelski especially sending sturridge our way ;-)
ReplyDeleteThing is, we have two great strikers who we do not want to swap for anyone. What we need though is cover. Rodgers tried it with Borini and then with Aspas and this Greek guy should be seen as as similar signing. Someone to play when Sturridge is injured.
ReplyDeleteI'm against getting him on winter. Not because i doubt his form. I don't know this player. I obviously only saw two matches that he played at so i can i make any assessment on whether it's a good deal or not?
ReplyDeleteI jut don't like it when a bigger club buys a teams star in winter. If was the teams fan i would have hated him forever. Plus they might beat Man United.
Mata won't move to LFC in January,Chelsea won't sell or loan an asset to a rival.Moses a liability to both.
ReplyDeleteLFC may try, but I still think Suarez will leave in the summer, irrespective of what happens. IF LFC get into the CL, he'll probably see it as job done, and go. It's not just being in the competition, he wants to win it, and I doubt he'll hang around for years whilst LFC try and win the competition. If he goes to Real, or Bayern, he knows he'll be in with a bigger chance of winning the CL/league titles quickly.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but I know he is 25, I know he plays for Greek League & I know till 25 not many from top 5/6 European League didn't sought for him. For someone like me, spending several hours in every week on club
ReplyDeletefootball & players, never noticed M'glu before this season.
Regarding PC, I knew he was a BRAZIL (In capital, u know why) International at 17, I knew he was poached in a pre-agreement for Inter Milan by someone called Rafa Benitez, I knew he won the FIFA U20 WC & South American U17. He was just 20, already experienced in Brazil, Italy & Spain's top division. Are you sure that I didn't know about PC before joining LFC?
You are kidding if you think this guy is going to walk out of the Greek league after 1 good year and dominate the EPL.
ReplyDeleteIt is a big step and Aspases ability in Spain is a better guide and smaller step than banging them in around Greece.
Insurance against Suarez's departure would be the only reason to get this guy over a couple of MFs. If that's the thinking, then it would be sound. If that's so then I would expect the rumored mega-million extension offer for Suarez would come before the January window. So...if it doesn't come before the window opens?
ReplyDeleteHey Borini scored for Sunderland to beat Chelski yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI would take Benteke in a heartbeat. My bet is he will be fit for the WC and will have a big impact. Gonna raise his price dramatically.
ReplyDeleteCould you suggest which club would let a world class LB go for 12-15 euroes?
ReplyDeletePogba from Juve
ReplyDeleteIf that Granada guy (Guilermo Sequira ??) was available for around 10mn euros, you add another 5/6 with that & start searching in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Latin America or East Europe, you 'll find plenty of them. EPL sets a bit different standard, particularly if the player is English, where even bison like Showcross are priced 25mn & bull like Phil Jones is bought for 23m at 19 (not to mention donkey Carroll). Think about what could had been the price of that Dortmund squad last year, had most of the squad been English & had BVB played in EPL? Yes, I agree Philipe Lahm or Jordy Alaba 'll not be available for 15mn.
ReplyDeleteM'Vila
ReplyDelete