30 Jan 2014

Konoplyanka, and...? LFC eye coveted attacker sacked boss once claimed is 'worth £25m'.

A few months ago, Thomas Ince's agent confirmed that the former LFC youth player would consider a move to the Premier League during the January transfer window, and with time running out for Liverpool to sign players, Ince appears to be back on Brendan Rodgers' agenda.

In October, Ince's Agent, Chris Nathaniel, told reporters:

“Thomas now feels he is ready for Premier League football on a regular basis.

"Whether that comes in January or at the end of the season. He is grateful for the chance Blackpool have given him but he now wants to step up a level.”


According to Sky Sports this week:

"Liverpool have rejoined the race to sign Thomas Ince. The 21-year-old looks set to leave Blackpool after they gave him permission to open talks with a number of Premier League clubs"

Ince's Dad, Paul - sacked last week by Blackpool - insists that Premier League clubs will have to pay big bucks to capture the flying winger. He told the BBC last year:

"If you look at Zaha being sold for £15m, then Thomas has to be worth £25m. If you compare the two, Thomas has to be worth much more. The rest of the top scorers in the league are strikers. In terms of potential, he can reach £25m in value"

Last season, Ince Jr. admitted that he was glad he left Anfield in 2011, and explained that he'd rather take a risk at a smaller club than 'sign a 4-year deal and not play'. Speaking to The Telegraph last year, Ince hailed the 'great schooling' he received at Liverpool's academy, but dismissed the notion that he has regrets about choosing to leave. He explained:

“My decision to come away from academy football [at LFC] and go into the real world was the best move I ever made. It built me physically and mentally”

It took some guts to leave a massive club like Liverpool, but the gamble paid off for Ince, who is one of the Championship's most prolific goalscoring/creating wingers. Liverpool tried to re-sign him several times over the last 18 months, but he stuck to his guns and stayed at Blackpool.

Ince is definitely available at the moment; this week, he's already held talks with Swansea, Stoke, and Hull City about a possible loan deal, and further talks are scheduled with several other clubs over the next couple of days. Additionally, the recent sacking of Ince Sr. will almost inevitably hasten his exit. Indeed, Ince hasn't played for Blackpool since his dad left Blackpool.

Liverpool are currently trying to sign Dnipro attacker Yevhen Konoplyanka, but a loan deal for Ince would also enhance the squad's attacking options, though some would argue that there are more important areas of the team to strengthen right now (i.e. central midfield).

Worth pursuing?



Author:


59 comments:

  1. No thanks, good player but we don't need him atm. If we get konoplyanka we ll have sterling moses coutinho ibe and konoplyanka for the wings - enough imo. We should look at other areas, central midfield and fullback is a priority :)

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  2. I really don't care about Ince. He is no upgrade on current players. I am only worried about Kono deal, Tim Sherwood has confirmed Spurs interest and they are working to finalize the deal. I hope its not another setback. Please god!

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  3. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, Paul Ince's quote is last summer. I used to enjoy reading your posts but it seems you run the same tired narratives. Didn't the club already announce they are not interested in Ince?

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  4. We should be looking at upgrades. No better than Sterling in my opinion.

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  5. If we are hoping to be in Europe we have to sign players like
    Pastore mvilla Tello Pogba shaw .
    We need right now at least three world class player not Ince.
    I just believe because Rodgers signed Allen borini aspas alberto
    loans Cissokho moses sahin all flops .
    FSG wont give him more money
    We need left and right wing backs that can attack and defend .
    defensive mid help with lucas
    world class mid to learn and take over from Stevie gerrard ,
    and one more attack option .
    Don't think FSG are willing to Make LFC strong on field of the field cant complain.

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  6. Well, in that case I am sure we are not going to buy anyone. These Yanks are very good in creating expectation & eat up the transfer window. We had a full year to close the Paul Ince deal (with 30% of our ownership), now just when we lost Salah for 3 months back & forth, they are bringing Ince so that someone from Spurs, Arsenal or MU can gazump Kopo'ka. This time they need to delay just by another 2 days, to give them breathing space for next window.

    Not to mention that we don't need Ince, if we can get Kopo, considering that Ibe is growing by days & Sterling ha matured fast. I would have much more excited if the news was Kopo & exchange of Agger with Inler, sale of Johnson & purchase of Alderwield, sale of Aspas or Borini & purchase of Ma'Villa or Orelio (Harnanes 'll be too good to dream).

    Enough if enough, I don't even read LFC transfer news now days. The biggest joke was to read LFC planning to spend 25mn for Adra Turan.

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  7. The problem with buying Ince would be the package deal...he comes with his dad who values him much higher than his worth. £25m for somebody untried at the highest level is a big risk but that is no longer Paul's province because Blackpool are aware of the short time left on his contract and will be glad to sell for much less. Paul is a powder keg, which is why he can't manage. Kono is a class act. Just watching the games against England shows what he could do in a red shirt

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  8. Probably one too many for me. Already if we bring in Konoplyanka it will mean Sterling seeing more time on the bench and he's been brilliant this season. Moses is still going to look for game time, Aspas is the backup striker and even Ibe might figure in a few games. Ince doesn't seem quite good enough to trump any of our starting players for a spot so it doesn't seem like the right step for him, especially seeing as he left Liverpool to become a first team regular.


    The most attacking formation I think we'd ever see is to have Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling/Kono and Coutinho all on the pitch at once. Two central midfielders behind that like Gerrard and Henderson is already an attack-heavy set up. Sometimes we'll pull one of Coutinho or Sterling/Kono or even drop Hendo/Gerrard for Lucas in order to go more conservative but I can't see ever see us looking like this:


    Gerrard
    Coutinho
    Sterling Konoplyanka
    Suarez
    Sturridge


    That's just all-out attack with no one left to make any tackles. Maybe in the last 10 minutes of a game where we desperately need goals, otherwise someone is going to end up regularly on the bench.

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  9. Tom Ince with his recently sacked Dad poking his nose in, no thanks

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  10. TOM AND JERRY SHOW...

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  11. i agree, but until we get CL football, pogba is never joining LFC. on the other hand although this Ukraine guy is good and would probably contribute alot to our play like sterling, i do think Salah was better in terms of potential and ability. Salah had the centre of gravity to perfor well in a liverpool. and something tells me he can reach the heights of Lionel Messi. signing this Ukraine guy for £20M does shake me abit and if its at that price i'd leave it. for £10-15M maybe.

    IMO, i would sign either Hulk from Zenit £30M or Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kiev £15M for RW. Romulo from Spartak Moscow for £8M as competition for Lucas. then buy Ivan Rakitic for £12M who would be a cheaper option to Cabaye, Pogba or Pastore. Rakitic can play a number of roles in midfield, including defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger, all with perfection.

    if we were to buy Hulk, who's the finished article, along with Romulo and Rakitic that would be £50M.

    if we bought Yarmolenko, who could be better in terms of potential (could be like CR7 in the PL) it would be £35M in total.

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  12. we are getting konoplyanka hopefully. he isnt that good. Maybe if we convert him to LB maybe then. :)

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  13. 25 millional Ince senior was always delusional , no wonder he was sacked .

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  14. its all right having a say on who we would like at the club, but reality is our wish list doesn't count, it would be nice to see some of the players mentioned at the club but the big question would be could or would they be able to play the way Brendan has/wants the team playing, i would be happy with unknowns coming in that can play the system, and as far as the transfer window with all the speculation about who we are or not after i for one would be happy for it to go back to how it was under Shankley, as fans/supporters we only know that the club had signed a player when it was announced unlike now were the club seems to be the last to know that they are interested in a player thanks to the press who cant wait for the transfer to happen so have to invent it instead and then claim that the club missed out, sorry rant over

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  15. Ayres is on the case....loads of signings on the way......NOT!

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  16. Clinton Max Walker8:52 am, January 30, 2014

    Ince would be brilliant right now. Coutinho, Moses, Sterling, Ibe, Assaidi, Konoplyanka, Suarez, Henderson, Suso and Alberto are all right-footed. With only Sturridge, a striker, and the bleak Aspas, left-footed. Some balance is vital.

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  17. 16m for Konoplayanka then the club should launch a 10m offer for a decent cent/def mid like Mvilla or Fernando

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  18. Dont want Ince and his old mans b/s and am unsure about Konoplyanka after his team mates comment on his suitability to playing EPL.

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  19. spurs don't have a scouting network, they let us and others do it for them . if i put a story out that i was being tracked, spurs would say they were interested. they are leech-like.

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  20. If spuds come in and steal this player from us, there will be a kitchen sink thrown. Absolutely had enough of it. What's their reasoning behind them trying to pounce on all our deals? Do they never spot these players themselves? Let's F***ing smash them for 6 at Anfield just to prove what a pathetic club they are.

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  21. Are Spurs really going for Konoplyanka as well? Can only see Liverpool rumours. This sucks if it's true. He would probably choose us over Spurs though I think.

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  22. ESPNfc is reporting that Arsenal are also tracking Konoplyanka. According to his agent, anything can happen.

    http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1698259/liverpool-face-rival-yevhen-konoplyanka-interest-amid-arsenal-links&update?cc=4716

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  23. Tom needs to ditch his dad and become his own man, he is good enough for Prem league, but he's NOT the type of player Liverpool need right now, a quality holding midfielder is needed, so many mooted, but nothing.

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  24. Now who is Gandalf? You are getting pretty worked up about Spurs. I doubt they are really in for Konoplyanka. If they are then we should put in a cheeky bid for Townsend. They have too many attacking options for them to be interested IMO.

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  25. If we really lose the ukranian to spurs or mancs, that ayre should go in jail for 20 years, and never even walk near anfield ever in his life!

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  26. JK how about this. The notorious pessimist Nicol has actually said that Liverpool are in a fantastic position to come fourth (he's their firm favourites) and he also believes that they don't necessarily need reinforcements to get there. Interesting.

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  27. He's ruled out spurs because ' they don't score enough goals' and Everton because they arent the same quaslity

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  28. Yes, as I said Tim Sherwood confirmed it. I read it on Goal.com

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  29. he should be reminded of the state of our defence at this moment in time. that should be enough to include the tofu's and that seven sisters lot.

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  30. However, the player’s agent has now told Gazeta.ua
    that Konoplyanka could be bound for an alternative destination, saying:
    “When writing about the interest from Liverpool, these people only know
    part of the truth.

    “Yesterday, I had a long and productive conversation with the chairman
    of another English club. The chances of Yevhen moving to England soon
    are very high. His club might be Liverpool or another English club.”

    Asked if the other team is Arsenal, the agent added: “I will not
    mention the name of the club. In the near future, you will hear it.”

    Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the player, but head
    coach Tim Sherwood played down talk of a switch on Wednesday night.

    “Yeah, he plays off the left,” the Spurs boss told the media when asked
    about Konoplyanka. “I know him but nothing looks like happening. We’d
    have to do it now because we’ve only got two days left.

    “I don’t see it happening but that’s why we’ve got people working with
    us. The chairman here is always asking me if there’s anyone we need but I
    need to make sure they are of the quality we need and not just a body
    for the sake of it. It’s very difficult to change clubs and settle. I
    would be very cautious if we did anything.”

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  31. Via Sky Sports :

    Ian Ayre -> Rubin Kazan -> Yann M'Vila
    Dave Fallows -> Dnipro -> Yevhen Konoplyanka

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  32. In the end it will probably come down to money. Unless of course, like so many of our targets, it turns out he's been a secret Liverpool supporter since he was a boy.,,,,,,,,,

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  33. Konoplyanka quoted on telly, in the airport: "Is it all very
    serious with Liverpool. I'm surprised at how serious it is myself!"

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  34. sounds good, here's hoping eh? If Liverpool don't land konoplyanka, ayre needs to get sacked or told to only look after corporate deals, seems good at that but that's where it ends

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  35. I am positive about Konoplyanka now!!




    Konoplyanka quoted on telly, in the airport: "Is it all very
    serious with Liverpool. I'm surprised at how serious it is myself!!"

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  36. We should definitely re sign Ince. Quality attacking player, British and left footed. Can't believe more people don't feel the same. The fee will also be minimal so re sale profit would be excellent. Shouldn't of let him go in the first place!

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  37. I saw Ian McKellen on the street the other day. He was carrying a sandwich from EAT under his arm and holding an umbrella. We were walking towards eachother, and you know that moment you sometimes have when you don't know which way to walk, and the other person doesn't either, and you start mirroring eachother, sidestepping on the pavement? That started to happen a bit, so I opened my mouth to say "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" in a loud voice, but then I caught his eye, and he looked so sad and old that I didn't say anything at all, and instead just sort of did something weird with my mouth and felt a bit sick for the rest of the day.

    True story.

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  38. But back in the real world Rakitic isnt available for less than his £30m+release clause. Kiev wouldnt sell Yarmolenko to Milan for £23m. Zenit paid £44m for Hulk and dont Want to sell him but you want us to buy him for £30m

    Very good!!!!

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  39. I don't see it any more with Ince. Think his ship's sailed, really. If we need another young British winger, I'd wait til the summer to have a crack at Redmond from Norwich, who seems underrated and a good all-round footballer; or maybe start looking at young Mason Bennett at Derby, a player I've started to get a bit interested in this season. Not sure if there's much footage of him yet. Reminds me of a Brasilian winger, stocky and aggressive on the ball, quick feet and appetite for challenges and chances. My kind of player. Loan out Ibe, bring in Bennett for a bit of development...

    Sorry, waffling on. Still excited after Tuesday night!

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  40. I agree. If we sign Konoplyanka that would be great because Sterling, for all of his talent and he has improved a lot, also showed his inexperience against Everton. He had a decent match but he also lost possession unnecessarily quite often. I do think our priorities should have been with a DM first though but right now I'll take another exciting attacker over nothing at all. And who knows, we may find a DM over yonder as well

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  41. Dnipro's manager is ex Spurs manager Juande Ramos!

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  42. Good story....but posing an alternate universe....maybe he looked like that because from his perspective he saw some bloke in front of him acting shifty and doing weird things with his mouth? Maybe wasn't sad and old but just freaked out and trying to shy away from the crack head? ;-)

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  43. Would you believe any agent?

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  44. I dunno, maybe it was the fiery whip I was holding, and the black flames emanating from the nameless evil that I serve and which storm around my winged torso that put him off. Could have been anything really.

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  45. Apparently the is a German club after Konoplyanka too.


    My advise would be not to keep your hopes up to high...

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  46. It should be simple for the owners in Boston: Monies have to be spent to attract players to assist with Champion League spot. A team like LFC vying for that position can't afford to haggle excessively over cost of player because we don't have the upper hand. In short, CL cannot be achieved on the cheap. However, when achieved, it would mean more money for the club and a bigger magnet for better players and so on,

    Our transfer market committee needs to be fixed. Why on earth have we wasted money on players like Borini, Aspas, Luis Alberto, Cissokho, Moses (loan)? Answer: trying to buy success on the cheap.

    A saying which the money men in Boston should already be familiar with is: YOU GOT TO SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY. It's all about money. It is a business pretending to be a sport.

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  47. Sherwood said couple of days ago he wont sign anyone. How these people lie without any dignity? I hate chelsea and spurs for waiting us to scout for them, lazy asses, hate em to death, ayre better knows if he misses out again it would like a suicide for lfc fans and he must then fook outta here

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  48. Fear not Flame of Udun... pretty sure you can get that removed these days.

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  49. Not Spurs, manu are in for him, thats the latest "rumour"

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  50. I will defer to those with more experience on Ince. If that video are highlights then I am underwhelmed...no wow moments for me. Kono+ video was definitely wow...pace, vision, power, aggressiveness, intelligence...all the tools.

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  51. Ibe is a much better prospect than Ince, IMO,

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  52. Exactly, remember Dempseygate, we could be heading for another one,
    but at least Konoplyankagate sounds better.

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  53. I read an article from a Ukrainian CB, played for Arsenal, he said Konop cannot track back, and was a shame defensively in their play-off with France, and wont suit the rigours of the EPL.

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  54. Hope that's not true...but even PC is tracking back now so that tendency can be beaten out of anybody on the practice pitch:-o

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  55. Mvilla or Fernando must be a priority! Push comes to shove if settle for Diame so we can have funds for an attacking midfielder!

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  56. ESPN are full of s##t

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  57. Yeah I've read a lot of good things over the last few hours. So keen for this signing. Gonna be gutted if Spurs do get him. Why would he wanna play for a mid table team like the spuds lol

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  58. I saw snoop dogg today. stood 5m from him as he played his music playlist from his mac book...

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