Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of making a bid for Udinese defensive midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, who is also being watched by Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
According to reports this week:
* Liverpool's European scouts have 'personally recommended' Badu to Rodgers.
* Badu's reps have 'informed' LFC that he wants a move to the Premier League.
* Rodgers is 'planning' a £7m bid for the 23-year old at some point over the next week.
Some info about Badu:
* Can play in midfield or defence, and that versatility is almost certainly an attraction for Rodgers, who seems to be obsessed with players who can operate in several different positions.
* 2011: Voted Ghana’s best player in Italy.
* 2012: Nominated for FIFA goal of the year award for his strike against Guinea in the 2012 African Nations Cup.
* 2012: Shortlisted for the Puskas Goal of the Year Award, alongside Newymar, Falcao, Lionel Messi and several others. Responding to the nomination, Badu enthused:
"I was not expecting it and it came to me by surprise. I'm happy and privileged to be nominated among all these big names like Messi, Falcao and Neymar and others"
* 2012: Nominated for the African Player of the Year award by the Ghana Football Association, and praised by the GFA Chief as 'outstanding'.
* Has some lofty career ambitions, and he revealed in a recent interview:
"I want to be remembered as a player who won the African [player of the year], the European [footballer of the year], or a Champions League medal. I know it is a long road but I’m ready to make the dream come to reality."
* 7 goals in 41 appearances for Ghana so far.
Reds fans have repeatedly called for Brendan Rodgers to sign a tough, physically imposing central midfielder, but Badu is the same height as Sterling and Coutinho, so is he the right choice for the role? In my view, if Liverpool are to sign a defensive midfielder, it should be a big, strong unit, not another small(ish) player who can be muscled off the ball.
Author: Jaimie K
According to reports this week:
* Liverpool's European scouts have 'personally recommended' Badu to Rodgers.
* Badu's reps have 'informed' LFC that he wants a move to the Premier League.
* Rodgers is 'planning' a £7m bid for the 23-year old at some point over the next week.
Some info about Badu:
* Can play in midfield or defence, and that versatility is almost certainly an attraction for Rodgers, who seems to be obsessed with players who can operate in several different positions.
* 2011: Voted Ghana’s best player in Italy.
* 2012: Nominated for FIFA goal of the year award for his strike against Guinea in the 2012 African Nations Cup.
* 2012: Shortlisted for the Puskas Goal of the Year Award, alongside Newymar, Falcao, Lionel Messi and several others. Responding to the nomination, Badu enthused:
"I was not expecting it and it came to me by surprise. I'm happy and privileged to be nominated among all these big names like Messi, Falcao and Neymar and others"
* 2012: Nominated for the African Player of the Year award by the Ghana Football Association, and praised by the GFA Chief as 'outstanding'.
* Has some lofty career ambitions, and he revealed in a recent interview:
"I want to be remembered as a player who won the African [player of the year], the European [footballer of the year], or a Champions League medal. I know it is a long road but I’m ready to make the dream come to reality."
* 7 goals in 41 appearances for Ghana so far.
Reds fans have repeatedly called for Brendan Rodgers to sign a tough, physically imposing central midfielder, but Badu is the same height as Sterling and Coutinho, so is he the right choice for the role? In my view, if Liverpool are to sign a defensive midfielder, it should be a big, strong unit, not another small(ish) player who can be muscled off the ball.
Author: Jaimie K
Let's go for Mata, that's the one we need!
ReplyDeleteTop class player. I would not use his height to estimate his strength. Hopefully the deal is completed quickly to avoid a bidding war... I hear Everton is creeping around.
ReplyDeleteSlightly off topic but still related to the defensive midfield situation, I watched a repeat of our 4.0 anfield humbling of Real Madrid in 2008ish.That team were the best in Europe at that time IMO. At the heart of it was Mascherano. He was an epic player. I don't think that he was very tall either, but what a player. Whenever he was playing I had faith that we were solid. Lucas was almost at that level until his injury during Dalgleish's spell in charge. He hasn't regained those performance levels since his return and this definitely needs to be addressed IMO. Personally, I think that we should look to South America again in this instance. Or, maybe, just maybe, get the monster Mascherano back from Barca? Perhaps not but someone like him. I don't know anything about Badu though. But one thing I do know is that in BR I trust. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteif we ever want a mascherano type player again Fernando from Porto is perfect quick and strong as a bull, protects the back-four well and normally starts the counter after winning possession.
ReplyDeleteoff topic, Assaidi is doing a great role for LFC right now taking points off our opponents. despite losing to chelsea, Assaidi won us 3points against them and won us 2 points off everton today. Every1 always knew Assaidi was a quality player after some truly stunning MOTM performances but he must increase his work rate to play in the current LFC side.
and also Coutinho is blessed with fantastic dribbling skills, but as i have mentioned his poor shooting cost us dearly today. his continuity to not look up before shooting is effective and the free kick he tried to go for was ridiculous. if every1 knew he would shoot that FK we would have asked suarez. Coutinho must start looking up before shooting. were missing our oppurtunities to kill off games when chances are presented to Coutinho. against City if he had just looked up and buried that 1v1 chance, we would have been 2-0 up and likely have killed off the game. just like against spurs, finding the 2nd goal was crucial.
You don't need to be tall to be strong!
ReplyDeletequite the fact of the mata
ReplyDeleteMike Tyson is the same height as Sterling and Coutinho.
ReplyDeleteDesperately need a defensive midfielder in either this window or the summer.. Especially if we get CL (and quite honestly we may well need the depth and options for the run in of this year). As for the physicality issue, Flamini isn't particularly good at the CDM role, without being monstrous in size.
ReplyDeleteI would love us to sign Salah, I've wanted him since he absolutely shone in the EL last year, would offer us a great option on the wings... If we did get Tello instead, even on loan, I certainly wouldn't be disappointed- And I highly doubt we'd go for both as some people seem to believe.
The two attacking options we've most been linked with of recent are Jorginho and Rakitic. Rakitic is a great player and would be a fantastic buy, though if he is attracting the attention he supposedly is, I highly doubt we'll be in the running for him. As for Jorginho, he fits the bill for the style of play Rodgers is implementing.
People want a LB, but for me Jose, Aly and Flanno are reasonable options for now and we've been pretty unlucky with injury in the position.. I would be genuinely surprised if that did continue..
Ultimately I'd be very happy with one from each of the sections above- Would hugely improve our squad's depth and quality! People also looking for a striker, but I honestly feel the options we have are ok.. Even if it's a bit light on quantity (Suarez, Sturridge and Aspas). Maybe a Guidetti quality player would be a good addition, but realistically no one signs four in January, chances are we'll be getting two at most!
He's about three inches taller than them... But Tyson is a prime example that height isn't correlated to strength... Otherwise I'd be stronger than he is hahahaha!
ReplyDeleteWe have this guy already sitting the bench…we need a leader who is decisive and confident…that would be Rakitic. He is 25, captain of Sevilla, and a great player...and he wants out of Seville.
ReplyDeleteBit misleading the headline saying "voted the best " but reading thro' its best from Ghana in italy........bit like saying the best player from the Isle of Man playing in the premier .
ReplyDeleteAssaidi is indeed a quality player.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about Fernando Reges and was going to make the same point about Assaidi. As for Coutinho, he is suffering of the Xabi Alonso syndrome I think. He made such an impact at a time when we were in a really bad place that it seems like he's faded away since. He still has a big impact on games though with his passing and dribbling. His shooting isn't too shabby either imo. He's just not a striker. One of our best performers so far this season if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we will be happy with the business in this window!!!
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. Rodgers blabbering about not having deals setup yet is classic lowering of expectations. Last year he came out and said we needed more bite in the final third and he bought Coutinho and Sturridge within the first ten days of the window. I think maybe a loan or two coming in somewhere after the Stoke match is all we'll get.
ReplyDeleteWho would that be actually?
ReplyDeleteWait and see!!!
ReplyDeleteBest is such a strong word...even 'best player in his bedroom' sounds impressive
ReplyDeleteI did that when everyone told me to do so after we signed Aspas and Alberto. I'm still waiting...
ReplyDeleteIf he improves defensively he will be even better, anyway he is getting a good run of games which is always good for a player and instead of getting a winger we could even recall him back from his loan duty.
ReplyDeleteCorrect Jamie, them standing on top of each other.
ReplyDeleteIts called, "STATS"
ReplyDeleteYes, he's in our price range!
ReplyDeleteWHY ON EARTH WUD HE WANT THIS GUY!!! WEST HAM ARE IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE GO FOR DIAME!!! THIS GUY CAN CONTROL THE MIDFIELD, DRIBBLE PAST AND SCORE GOALS!!!!
ReplyDeleteDoes it really.....Mata?.....No? Sorry I'll see myself out.(sigh)
ReplyDeleteSeems like JK's prediction of Spurs crashing and burning under Sherwood is inaccurate thus far!
ReplyDeleteI think we should go for Lille midfielder who has the best tackling success rate in Ligue 1. His name is Driss gueye or something like that and on like 7m. Or Fernando from Porto FC. He is a real beast and available for a cut price in Jan.
ReplyDeleteEspecially if Sterlings 'offside' goal was counted 3-0 up at the Ethiad.
ReplyDeleteTrue true.. BR being very coy atm, but I suspect they've lined up their targets and are just trying to avoid a bidding war!
ReplyDeleteIf we did go into the market for a striker, the one I'd love is Ramos from Hertha, I think he's quality!
It will come, give it time!
ReplyDeleteIf we get Tyson, Ivanovic had better watch out.......
ReplyDeleteit would almost be worth throwing Tyson in tere just to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteno no no no no i want a beast for our new defensive mid sorry but this guy is to small however same can be said of ramirez soooooo hm
ReplyDeleteGet Salah and Badu this january transfer is enough...im disappoint when see how aly cissokho perform vs hull last night...for me flanaghan is better...
ReplyDeleteI say this every time ... Rodgers very obviously does not agree with the idea of a bruiser in midfield. Every midfield player we sign is more about passing and moving, not barrelling his way past the opposition. This is further evidence. So if fans repeatedly think we need one type of player, and Rodgers repeatedly demonstrates his preference for NOT that type of player - which one is being pointlessly stubborn?
ReplyDeleteDiame is not better
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jaimie, It might be something similar to what happened to us under Dalglish in second half of 2011-12 (18 points from 18 games, if I'm not mistaken).
ReplyDeleteWe don't nescesserly need a big strong boy as Mascherano was no giant but did a very good job for us in the defensive midfield role, we just need someone who's strong in the tackle and reads the game well. Lucas is very good at this but more often than not gives too many fouls away.
ReplyDeleteI have considered that too...but maybe because Spurs have a lot more good players than we did under Dalglish, the crash won't be as bad.
ReplyDeleteI have lingering doubts (read my reply to Razen), but I hope so.
ReplyDelete