In March, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Liverpool scouted €9m-rated right back Daryl Janmaat during Feyenoord's 2-0 victory over PSV, and with the summer transfer window just around the corner, the 25-year old has given the strongest indication yet that he's open to a move this summer.
Despite spending £23m on defenders last summer, Liverpool's defensive issues are still glaringly apparent, and with the full-back areas a particular concern, it seems likely that Brendan Rodgers will splash the cash to fix the problem.
LFC's boss has hinted at this himself in several press conferences, and it comes as no surprise that the club's scouts are focusing on defensive players right now.
When asked about his future over the weekend, Janmaat admitted that he's probably played his 'last home game' for Feyenoord. He told Voetbal International:
"I'll focus on the World, and then consider a transfer. It doesn't matter whether it is in Italy, England, Spain or Germany. I'm the type of player who can excel in any of these leagues."
In a recent interview, Feyenoord Technical director Martin van Geel hailed Janmaat, who is also being monitored by Arsenal. He enthused:
“Daryl's development has been fantastic. He is an example of the way we like to do things: came in on a free transfer from SC Heerenveen and became a fixture at De Kuip. This is the sort of player we want to hold onto.”
Liverpool will almost certainly target a central defender and a full-back (maybe even two), so expect the club to be endlessly linked with players in those positions over the next few months.
Janmaat: Stats this season
* 30 appearances.
* 2 goals/5 assists
* Aerial duels: 55% success rate.
* 77 tackles (2.7 per game)
* 41 interceptions (1.4 per game)
* 87 clearances (3 per game)
* 3 blocks (0.3 per game)
* 81% passing accuracy.
* Averages 48 passes per game.
* 35 Key passes (1.2 per game)
Stats: OPTA
Better option than Flanagan and Johnson?
Author: Jaimie K
Despite spending £23m on defenders last summer, Liverpool's defensive issues are still glaringly apparent, and with the full-back areas a particular concern, it seems likely that Brendan Rodgers will splash the cash to fix the problem.
LFC's boss has hinted at this himself in several press conferences, and it comes as no surprise that the club's scouts are focusing on defensive players right now.
When asked about his future over the weekend, Janmaat admitted that he's probably played his 'last home game' for Feyenoord. He told Voetbal International:
"I'll focus on the World, and then consider a transfer. It doesn't matter whether it is in Italy, England, Spain or Germany. I'm the type of player who can excel in any of these leagues."
In a recent interview, Feyenoord Technical director Martin van Geel hailed Janmaat, who is also being monitored by Arsenal. He enthused:
“Daryl's development has been fantastic. He is an example of the way we like to do things: came in on a free transfer from SC Heerenveen and became a fixture at De Kuip. This is the sort of player we want to hold onto.”
Liverpool will almost certainly target a central defender and a full-back (maybe even two), so expect the club to be endlessly linked with players in those positions over the next few months.
Janmaat: Stats this season
* 30 appearances.
* 2 goals/5 assists
* Aerial duels: 55% success rate.
* 77 tackles (2.7 per game)
* 41 interceptions (1.4 per game)
* 87 clearances (3 per game)
* 3 blocks (0.3 per game)
* 81% passing accuracy.
* Averages 48 passes per game.
* 35 Key passes (1.2 per game)
Stats: OPTA
Better option than Flanagan and Johnson?
Author: Jaimie K
RB is a priority. GJ is a liability and not worth his wages. Sold?
ReplyDeleteWhen Cissokho goes back to Valencia the we will be left with Enrique who is injured and his career at Anfield might be over. Ryan Bertrand was one of our targets back in January so I very much believe a LB is number one on the list.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But GJ must be replaced at all cost. second on the list then?
ReplyDeleteIf we sell Agger and Skrtell we will be making a huge mistake.I believe they would be welcome in any squad in Europe. Only 1 or 2 teams would be able to not play them.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what is going to happen with Johnson but if he does leave then we at least have Flanno who has been brilliant for us this season.
ReplyDeleteI think Skrtel may stay on next season. Agger might be the player to be moved on as he no longer is first choice. Rumours are surfacing that Rafa is keen on Agger and the slow pace of the Serie A will suit him just fine.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree. His performances have been pretty average of late, but at least we have depth at the position. LB, DM, and LW are all occupied by only 1 capable player who prefers the position. Eventually we will need to replace him, but unless we fill all the other places first and still have money left over, I can't see a move for a starting RB this summer. Perhaps if it causes big problem we could go for one next jan.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Unless someone leaves we won't sign a new central defender. It was only a few months ago that JK was complaining we've signed to many of them and they are all still quality players. Maybe we'd look to sell Agger, I don't really know what Rodgers is thinking, but we don't need to. Our defensive issues are tactical, not about the actual players we have. We do need a bit more quality in our wingers but in the centre I can see 3 high quality defenders fighting for 2 spots with a veteran on the bench also ready to step up. It's the one position we don't need to spend in.
ReplyDeleteDon't think selling Agger would be wise but regardless, it's hard to debate transfers until we know what's happening with our loanees & youth players! If player development is truly the mantra, we can expect Wisdom, Ilori, McLaughin, Smith & Robinson to come back & go straight into the first team squad or be promoted to it. Kelly, Wisdom & Ilori are CBs & Flanno would return to his natural RB position to compete with Johnson. The rest would give us the cover we need so with that in mind, why do we need to spend on a CB? Imo Johnson & Enrique should be retained & we should only look to buy a LB as cover/competition (Rojo/Moreno). We MUST sell Brad Jones & get a proper back up GK to compete with Mig (David Marshall). Again, player development implies that Coady will also come back & therefore we'll have cover for StevieG. I think he'll be better in that holding role than Lucas or Allen (if not just as effective) so therefore Lucas & Allen will be able to play further forward. However, i don't think either one is at the required standard for our CL assult (honestly i can see us selling both) so i'd like a total footballer like Rakitic signed to trully replace Stevie's qualities in CM. Then i think we need to FINALLY solve our longstanding 'width' issues & sign a LEFT-FOOTED LW (Konoplyanka/Iturbe). Once again, player development requires that Hodzic, Borini, Suso, Ibe, Alberto, Teixeira, Brannagan, Rossiter & Dunn come back to/get more opportunities in the first team squad so therefore, imo, any remaining transfer funds should be spent on bringing in more quality young players like Seung Woo Lee, Christian Tello, Heung Min Son, Ryan Gauld, Zakaria Bakkali, Will Hughes, Dele Alli, Jamaal Lescelles, Martin Montoya & Emre Can. For me, that's the best use of the funds we'll have available whereas signing players like Janmaat & Lallana that we don't actuallly NEED is not! I don't doubt their quality but if we sign him at the expense of the signings we need, we're going backwards! If FSG can sanction those signings in addition to the ones we need.... go for it but if that's the case i'd rather we signed Firmino or Cuadrado.
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion!
JFT96, YNWA.
Lol i'd expect us to have a clear out as well... Jones, Reina, Cissokho, Toure, Cotes, Moses, Assaidi & Aspas all need moving on asap! Decisions need to be made on Kelly & Adorjan because they're not progressing as anticipated & are currently just taking up space on the wage bill.
ReplyDeleteAt all costs, keep Flanagan. He has done exceedingly well at such a young age. Pure defense with a little chip on the shoulder. Good anticipation of opponents passes and moves. Not a dirty player but doesn't shrink from the physical play. He has earned a spot, period. Enrique would seemingly be his backup on the left.
ReplyDeleteCissoko will certainly leave as might Agger given the loss of trust in him. Unless DA has a Skrtel-like renaissance going into next season, he is gone. That means WE NEED A STUD center back. I thought Ilori was the 'future' fullback in the wings. If that is still true, I see BR's decision to either keep Johnson or replace him with a younger, faster fullback.
Aggers going Johnson will be going
ReplyDeleteSkrtel has been immense for us this season, not sure about Sakho though, looks clumsy, Agger will consider his future, Illori is playing well and should be back for next term. Johnson must be sold he's awful,so is Toure, Flannagan could save us money, either taking Johnsons place completely or competing with a new signing for the right back slot. So if Rodgers is looking at another center back, i think it will be for replacement for either Agger or Toure or both.
ReplyDelete