Left-back is a problem position for Liverpool at the moment, and a whole host of players - including Luke Shaw, Ashley Cole, Fabio Coentrao, and Marcel Schmelzer - are currently linked with summer moves to Anfield. With Aly Cissokho almost certainly leaving, and Jose Enrique's future uncertain, there are places in the squad up for grabs, and Swansea City youngster Ben Davies is the latest full-back to be linked with a possible LFC transfer.
Reports in February claimed that Liverpool are 'heading the chase' to sign Davies.
On Saturday, The Express claimed that the Reds - along with Man City, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid - are still monitoring his progress, and when asked about interest from big clubs, the 20-year old told reporters:
"It is nice to hear because it clearly means you must be doing something right. It's got to be a boost for your confidence but it's not going to turn my head".
£8m-rated Davies - described by former boss Michael Laudrup as 'fantastic' - then admitted that he has his eye on a move to a bigger club:
"I am ambitious about playing at the highest level [and] if you put performances in to the best of your ability, things will take care of themselves".
Brendan Rodgers will know Davies well from his time managing Swansea City, and given the LFC boss's penchant for pursuing his ex-players, it will be no surprise if Davies ultimately ends up at Anfield.
Davies is also (potentially) versatile, which will also endear him to Rodgers. Indeed, former manager Brian Laudrup believes he could easily switch position in the future. A few months ago, he told the South Wales Evening Post:
"In the future, Ben can be a good left-footed centre-back. He is getting stronger in the air and physically he is getting stronger as well, and left-footed centre-backs are hard to find".
Former Wales winger Leighton James is also impressed with Davies, and after the youngster extended his Swansea contract in December, he raved:
"To have achieved what Ben's achieved in such a short space of time is phenomenal [and] to see Swansea produce another top-class youngster who's extended his contract with the club and committed himself is good news."
Davies would probably be the cheapest option of all the current left-backs linked with Liverpool (bar Ashley Cole, who'd be free), but is he experienced enough to come in and make an immediate difference?
Author: Jaimie K
Reports in February claimed that Liverpool are 'heading the chase' to sign Davies.
On Saturday, The Express claimed that the Reds - along with Man City, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid - are still monitoring his progress, and when asked about interest from big clubs, the 20-year old told reporters:
"It is nice to hear because it clearly means you must be doing something right. It's got to be a boost for your confidence but it's not going to turn my head".
£8m-rated Davies - described by former boss Michael Laudrup as 'fantastic' - then admitted that he has his eye on a move to a bigger club:
"I am ambitious about playing at the highest level [and] if you put performances in to the best of your ability, things will take care of themselves".
Brendan Rodgers will know Davies well from his time managing Swansea City, and given the LFC boss's penchant for pursuing his ex-players, it will be no surprise if Davies ultimately ends up at Anfield.
Davies is also (potentially) versatile, which will also endear him to Rodgers. Indeed, former manager Brian Laudrup believes he could easily switch position in the future. A few months ago, he told the South Wales Evening Post:
"In the future, Ben can be a good left-footed centre-back. He is getting stronger in the air and physically he is getting stronger as well, and left-footed centre-backs are hard to find".
Former Wales winger Leighton James is also impressed with Davies, and after the youngster extended his Swansea contract in December, he raved:
"To have achieved what Ben's achieved in such a short space of time is phenomenal [and] to see Swansea produce another top-class youngster who's extended his contract with the club and committed himself is good news."
Davies would probably be the cheapest option of all the current left-backs linked with Liverpool (bar Ashley Cole, who'd be free), but is he experienced enough to come in and make an immediate difference?
Author: Jaimie K
Jamie ...this guy have big future he is good with ball can play tiki-taka football have strength and pace i am sure he can develop into better player .... As i think he did not get media attention but he is as good as Shaw who did not score a goal for Southampton in the league
ReplyDeleteI actually dont know what is the big deal about Luke Shaw. Ive never been terribly impressed with him. He's decent but definitely not worth 20 mill, which reports suggest he is worth.
ReplyDelete8M LOL!! Add another 10 to that then maybe. Brian Laudrup again lol
ReplyDeleteNot many teenagers score in the premier league. Especially not from left back.
ReplyDeleteFullbacks with more than 1 goal this season in the EPL: Baines and Ivanovic.
Shaw is the best fullback his age in Europe: unless you know about a better one?
If you watch L Shaw you will see that he is an all round athlete as well as having a great work ethic, he can also pass the ball at speed with accuracy and has a good cross on him. other than shooting which you don't see him try he is a young hard working all rounded full back with a great temperament. all these are positives, but the reason for the price is because of the length he has left on his contract and the fact that everyone is talking about him (Hype) hype can put a players value up by 5mil. all in all I want liverpool to go for him simply because as a big club you have no reason not to. YNWA
ReplyDeleteKolo Toure to become the first player to win the premiership with 3 different teams? The greatest omen in Premiership History joined us for free.
ReplyDeleteBR has shown great intelligence in the players he has been targeting (Willian, Costa, etc.). Therefore, I'm not worried he will fall for this but Davies, although 6 months older, is at the same level as Jack Robinson. Why would BR and FSG want to sign Davies while we have Jacko? What we need is someone that can compete with Enrique and preferably with Champions League experience!
ReplyDeleteMicheal Laudrup Jaimie. In the sentence that starts "Davies is also (potentially)..."
ReplyDeleteThanks. I wonder why I wrote Brian instead of Michael. Weird!
ReplyDeleteDavies is only 5'7" tall...this is a non-starter in my book.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed it a lot oddly. I have seen it in national press. The mirror I think it was.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Cole 5'6?
ReplyDeleteColeman.
ReplyDeleteIf we buy from Swansea hopes it's Routledge. If we buy from Everton hope it's Mirallas.
ReplyDeleteSeamus is great, but he's six years older than Shaw.
ReplyDeleteOh you must mean he's scored a few goals this season, of course, sorry mate.
ReplyDeleteAbout time we were linked to him. Just as good as Shaw. Cheaper. And from Wales, ergo, the Welsh Jordi Alba. Oh yes...and...COME ON SUNDERLAND! FIGHT!
ReplyDeletewere gonna build the welsh barcelona!
ReplyDeleteThis one.
ReplyDeleteCome on Sunderland!
ReplyDeleteHi, do you guys think the Alonso guy of Black cats can be a candidate for left back? By the way Borini is doing extremely well to get a point at Chelsea. What if we have more of these players we loan out who help us indirectly, you know what I mean? Is this a tactic of BR?
ReplyDeleteWe don't need him either. On any given day a good big man will beat a good little man.
ReplyDeletePace mate, pace is the biggy. But size is being proven to be overrated. Look at Raheem.
ReplyDeleteIt's working! The Sunderland players can hear me!
ReplyDeleteIs he experienced enough? About as experienced as Flanagan I'd say...So with the two of them we could be set at full back for the next decade. Or they could turn out to be the Welsh/Scouse version of Fabio or Flavio and whatever the other Man U brother's name is.
ReplyDeleteLizerazu, hardly a giant
ReplyDeleteRoutledge? Really? Routledge?
ReplyDeleteI will not accept any Alonso but the real one in a Liverpool jersey :-)
ReplyDeleteAbout Barcelona, was that Montoya who got simply brushed off the ball by the Welsh Bale during the cup final over there? If so, a non starter for Liverpool for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was Marc Bartra. He's also been linked with LFC in the past.
ReplyDeleteHe reminds me of Bale who also started as a left back.
ReplyDeleteHe is a player i would blow the entire transfer budget on!
Any defender worth his salt would have kicked Bale and the ball into the stands. So thanks but no thanks
ReplyDeleteFlanno
ReplyDeleteBlow all the transfer budget on? You must be kidding. He is not worth more than 15m. Davis will do
ReplyDeleteDavis is close
ReplyDeleteI know luke he is very good someone i would like to see at liverpool but he is very expensive coz of th hype
ReplyDeleteyes if we can get him 15m he would long time left back
ReplyDelete