Prior to the summer loan signing of Aly Cissokho, Liverpool were linked with a surprise move for Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand, who is currently struggling to hold down a first team at Stamford Bridge. Jon Flanagan is performing well for the Reds right now, but it appears that Brendan Rodgers is intent on signing another left-back in January, and Bertrand is reportedly top of the Anfield wanted list.
In July, The Mirror reported that Liverpool 'made an enquiry' about Bertrand, and The Telegraph then claimed that Rodgers is 'ready to make a renewed bid to sign Ryan Bertrand in January'. Today, the Daily Mail claims:
"Ryan Bertrand is a target for Liverpool [and] is close to an LFC switch. He could follow Sturridge and move from Chelsea to [Anfield]"
Brendan Rodgers worked with Bertrand during his time as a coach at Chelsea, and he also signed the 24-year old on a season-long loan whilst at Reading, where he made 51 starts during his loan-year with Royals, which clearly shows Rodgers' faith and trust in the player.
The Reds boss also showered Bertrand with praise, predicting a bright future for the defender. Indeed, during one particular 2009 interview, Rodgers told GetReading:
"He’s going to be a top talent. He’s one of the few left-sided players who is good defensively and can go forward. I know what he can do and he’s 100-per-cent committed and is a big possibility for the future"
Bertrand - who signed a new 5-year deal with Chelsea in 2012 - is certainly highly regarded at Chelsea, especially by English stars John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Gary Cahill. After the defender's Champions League debut against Bayern Munich last season, Terry enthused:
"Young Ryan was thrown in at the deep end, but he did really well. He is excellent and he didn't show his inexperience at all."
Lampard raved:
"He's clearly a player with a massive future. He's a 22-year-old with a Champions League medal who came in and did a great job for us, you can't ask for more".
Cahill observed:
"People are just starting to sit up and realise how good he [Bertrand] is. He has got a great reputation, especially at our club, and is going to have a massive future, that’s for sure"
Given Rodgers' history with €10m-rated Bertrand, and his high regard for the player, this link seems credible enough, and if it comes to fruition, it could spell the beginning of the end for Enrique AND Cissokho.
It's hardly surprising that Rodger has reservations about Cissokho. He's done nothing so far to suggest he's a long-term solution for the club, and as far as I can tell, it's difficult to see what the French defender actually brings to the team. The pursuit of another left-back also suggests that Rodgers doesn't fully trust Jon Flanagan enough to give him an extended run in the team.
Bertrand has made just three appearances for Chelsea this season, and - like Juan Mata - he seems to be another player on Jose Mourinho's ignore list. Be that as it may, I can't see Mourinho allowing this deal to go through. Liverpool are serious contenders for a place in the top four, and the Portuguese will not want to strengthen the Reds even further.
Mourinho has already made clear his anger over losing Daniel Sturridge to the Reds, and given the huge competition for Champions League places, it's conceivable that Liverpool could squeeze Chelsea out of the top four at some stage. If that happened with THREE former Chelsea players on LFC's books, then the London club - and Mourinho - would look pretty stupid.
Author: Jaimie K
In July, The Mirror reported that Liverpool 'made an enquiry' about Bertrand, and The Telegraph then claimed that Rodgers is 'ready to make a renewed bid to sign Ryan Bertrand in January'. Today, the Daily Mail claims:
"Ryan Bertrand is a target for Liverpool [and] is close to an LFC switch. He could follow Sturridge and move from Chelsea to [Anfield]"
Brendan Rodgers worked with Bertrand during his time as a coach at Chelsea, and he also signed the 24-year old on a season-long loan whilst at Reading, where he made 51 starts during his loan-year with Royals, which clearly shows Rodgers' faith and trust in the player.
The Reds boss also showered Bertrand with praise, predicting a bright future for the defender. Indeed, during one particular 2009 interview, Rodgers told GetReading:
"He’s going to be a top talent. He’s one of the few left-sided players who is good defensively and can go forward. I know what he can do and he’s 100-per-cent committed and is a big possibility for the future"
Bertrand - who signed a new 5-year deal with Chelsea in 2012 - is certainly highly regarded at Chelsea, especially by English stars John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Gary Cahill. After the defender's Champions League debut against Bayern Munich last season, Terry enthused:
"Young Ryan was thrown in at the deep end, but he did really well. He is excellent and he didn't show his inexperience at all."
Lampard raved:
"He's clearly a player with a massive future. He's a 22-year-old with a Champions League medal who came in and did a great job for us, you can't ask for more".
Cahill observed:
"People are just starting to sit up and realise how good he [Bertrand] is. He has got a great reputation, especially at our club, and is going to have a massive future, that’s for sure"
Given Rodgers' history with €10m-rated Bertrand, and his high regard for the player, this link seems credible enough, and if it comes to fruition, it could spell the beginning of the end for Enrique AND Cissokho.
It's hardly surprising that Rodger has reservations about Cissokho. He's done nothing so far to suggest he's a long-term solution for the club, and as far as I can tell, it's difficult to see what the French defender actually brings to the team. The pursuit of another left-back also suggests that Rodgers doesn't fully trust Jon Flanagan enough to give him an extended run in the team.
Bertrand has made just three appearances for Chelsea this season, and - like Juan Mata - he seems to be another player on Jose Mourinho's ignore list. Be that as it may, I can't see Mourinho allowing this deal to go through. Liverpool are serious contenders for a place in the top four, and the Portuguese will not want to strengthen the Reds even further.
Mourinho has already made clear his anger over losing Daniel Sturridge to the Reds, and given the huge competition for Champions League places, it's conceivable that Liverpool could squeeze Chelsea out of the top four at some stage. If that happened with THREE former Chelsea players on LFC's books, then the London club - and Mourinho - would look pretty stupid.
Author: Jaimie K
Signing Montoya and Bertrand together would be the coup I'd be waiting for because those two are who will add quality and depth to the squad that we currently have. Also, would be long term replacements for years to come and could grow together.
ReplyDeleteIs Bertrand going to play ahead of Flanagan or Enrique? If not why would he leave Chelsea's bench to sit on ours? It's warmer in London. Do oyu think FSG is going to allow BR to buy a lpayer because he coached him when he was younger? Where is the requirement for another left back? We need to focus on strengthening our mid-field. What happened to Salah? Fernando?
ReplyDeleteStruggling to hold down a place is a bit of an understatement no? He's not even close to even get a sub appearance it seems. I can't see how he would be a step back from Aly or Jose but I also don't see how he would be a massive improvement either. Rodgers is right when he says that Flanagan will run through a brick wall for the club so even if he may not be as talented as Bertrand, his end result might be the same just because of the heart he puts in it. You won't get that with Bertrand. His lifelong dream was not making our first team, like it was Flanagan's. If we sign him fine but I'd prefer someone more established.
ReplyDeleteMontoya is overrated. Didn't know where to look against Ajax.
ReplyDeleteI felt it was an off day just like we had against Hull, Montoya for me is a talent who can make it at Anfield.
ReplyDeleteBertrand is a fine player, must be bursting to get first team football by now. This would be a good signing I think, he'd play well in our system(s) and his wages wouldn't break the bank either.
ReplyDeleteI remember his wage being one of the reasons which he didn't want to compromise with and was happy to see it out at CFC rather than moving to LFC in search of first team football.
ReplyDeleteThis move will not happen, well not in January. Chelsea will essentially making a top 4 rival stronger. When last have we been able to call ourselves top 4 rivals...
ReplyDeleteTrue,slow as a wet week in getting a cross in,takes 2/3 touchs.
ReplyDeleteie. leave him there.
ReplyDeleteDont rate Bertand and Montoya WONT leave Barca full stop
ReplyDeleteWell, we're doing good at the moment and also they aren't getting any chances and hence I made the statement.
ReplyDeleteMontoya most definately isnt over rated. everyone has off games. Ive watched every Barca game this season and he's been very good.
ReplyDeleteHe would be a very good player for Liverpool but Barca wont risk losing him and will tie him down to new improved deal
ReplyDeleteThe Joe Allen of left backs?
ReplyDeletePost Daniel Agger players?
ReplyDeletewe should be focused on improving other areas, johnson is able to play lb too (this would mean we have 3 possibilities at lb which isnt bad)
ReplyDeletea pacy winger and a defensive midfielder is what we need IMO
So far so good. 0-0 half-time at the Emirates in a driving rain. Hope it stays this way.
ReplyDeleteOuch, yeah, just read around. Apparently he's on about £35k p/w, so getting on for £2m per year. Which is daft. Assumed he'd be on half that.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's almost January. Does anybody have a clue who Grobelaar's 'big name' January signing is yet? Maybe he was talking about Suarez's contract extension.
ReplyDeleteI watched Willian today. Man am I glad we missed out on him. Schurrle and Hazard can run circles around that guy.
I feel Glen Johnson is on his way out. Remember he was asked to take a pay cut which I'm sure he will decline to do. Good to see Flannagan doing so well as he will be the replacement for Johnson IMO. Definitely time to cash in on Enrique while he still has value. Bertrand would be a great replacement but probably wont be available until the summer.
ReplyDeleteHe may acclimatise and become the top player we thought he would but for £30mwe definitely couldn't afford to wait this long for him to get up to speed.
ReplyDeleteFlanagan was taken to the cleaners time and again last game, if it was not for Sakho he was in real trouble, and IMO he is not the answer at LB.
ReplyDeleteBertrand would be fine, but I agree Mo wont let him join us.
I would like to see GJ at LB, cutting in on his right foot, would be a real threat.
I think you can tell how good a defender is from the matches where he's put under pressure. Montoya is usually part of a comfortable backline with his midfielders controling the game in front of him. Yet when you bring the game to him he falters. In the PL, he will be put under pressure every single week and I'm not confident he'll stay on his feet when that happens.
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers, having worked with Bertrand before, sees Bertrand as first team, may not be this season, but I have a feeling Enrique will fall out of favour quickly if Bertrand comes.
ReplyDeleteWhere does it say he is close to signing for us apart from your title?
ReplyDeleteI'd guess he's one of a few options we have lined up. Liverpool want some real quality at left back and if the right player is available I wouldn't be surprised to see the club splash some serious money.
ReplyDelete