Last year, Ajaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa claimed that his Agent had 'contact with Liverpool' over the possibility of a summer move to Anfield. The Reds signed Simon Mignolet instead, but reports this week suggest that the LFC are monitoring the Mexican stopper once again.
According to Eurosport today, Liverpool are interested in signing Ochoa this summer as competition for Mignolet.
Liverpool made a €6m bid for the Mexican International during the January 2013 transfer window, and in an interview at the time, the 27-year old stopper told Reporters:
"My agent had contact with Liverpool, and I hope this summer there will be some offers. There is no doubt, though, that this is a dream I have had since I came to Europe".
Then, in March, Ochoa told Mediotiempo:
"There is interest from Liverpool, but I have to let things happen. I feel very good, in the professional and sporting way. Physically, I am also very well"
When asked this week about his future, Ochoa - whose contract expires in June - told Todomercadoweb.es:
"I have several offers from different countries, but at the moment I have no agreements with any team. I am willing to listen to all the offers. My agent is dealing with everything and I do not exclude a future in Italy or England."
In a recent interview, Ajaccio President Alain Orsoni insisted that Ochoa is worth 'five or six million euros' , and revealed that several clubs had made bids for the Mexican. He told the Ligue One club's official website:
"Foreign clubs are interested in Memo, but that is normal. He's great goalkeeper and a great man. We will study bids and decide at the end of the season"
Ochoa - voted Ajaccio's Player of the Season for 2012-13 - has a flamboyant public persona, but according to the people that work with him, the Mexican's humility is what makes him popular in the dressing room. In April, Ajaccio defender Arnaud Maire explained his appeal:
"He [Ochoa] is quite a simple person and he's actually quite subdued, strangely enough. I think he's someone who shines through his performances rather than his role off the pitch"
The club's goalkeeping coach Thierry Debès added:
"He's well liked because he is extremely humble. He's a superstar in his country, but when he arrived he just kept his head down and worked hard."
Given the club's past attempt to sign Ochoa, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that one of the offer's he's evaluating is from Liverpool.
Simon Mignolet was unconvincing once again during today's victory at Norwich; he needs strong competition, but does Ochoa fit the bill?
Author: Jaimie K
According to Eurosport today, Liverpool are interested in signing Ochoa this summer as competition for Mignolet.
Liverpool made a €6m bid for the Mexican International during the January 2013 transfer window, and in an interview at the time, the 27-year old stopper told Reporters:
"My agent had contact with Liverpool, and I hope this summer there will be some offers. There is no doubt, though, that this is a dream I have had since I came to Europe".
Then, in March, Ochoa told Mediotiempo:
"There is interest from Liverpool, but I have to let things happen. I feel very good, in the professional and sporting way. Physically, I am also very well"
When asked this week about his future, Ochoa - whose contract expires in June - told Todomercadoweb.es:
"I have several offers from different countries, but at the moment I have no agreements with any team. I am willing to listen to all the offers. My agent is dealing with everything and I do not exclude a future in Italy or England."
In a recent interview, Ajaccio President Alain Orsoni insisted that Ochoa is worth 'five or six million euros' , and revealed that several clubs had made bids for the Mexican. He told the Ligue One club's official website:
"Foreign clubs are interested in Memo, but that is normal. He's great goalkeeper and a great man. We will study bids and decide at the end of the season"
Ochoa - voted Ajaccio's Player of the Season for 2012-13 - has a flamboyant public persona, but according to the people that work with him, the Mexican's humility is what makes him popular in the dressing room. In April, Ajaccio defender Arnaud Maire explained his appeal:
"He [Ochoa] is quite a simple person and he's actually quite subdued, strangely enough. I think he's someone who shines through his performances rather than his role off the pitch"
The club's goalkeeping coach Thierry Debès added:
"He's well liked because he is extremely humble. He's a superstar in his country, but when he arrived he just kept his head down and worked hard."
Given the club's past attempt to sign Ochoa, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that one of the offer's he's evaluating is from Liverpool.
Simon Mignolet was unconvincing once again during today's victory at Norwich; he needs strong competition, but does Ochoa fit the bill?
Author: Jaimie K
I wouldn't mind him as a backup, but he is in no way better than Mignolet. I'm not saying Mignolet should be our No.1 though... He's a very good shot stopper, but his game significantly lacks in areas
ReplyDeleteMignolet showed again today, he can't be relied on in the matches that matter, shocking mistake that put Norwich back in the game. We need a keeper that can command the back four, hope we get some one in the summer.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least this guy would provide healthy competition in our goalkeeping department which we've lacked since... Well living memory
ReplyDeleteHe's tainted by a doping scandal. I'm surprised we were ever linked with him to be honest. I also think that Ochoa has all the same weaknesses that Mignolet does.
ReplyDeleteToo short...pass.
ReplyDeleteHeard about the Cardiff keeper rumor. Seems a better option to me
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you but he doesn't strike me as very humble. If we do sign another goalkeeper this summer please God let it be one who can deal with crosses.
ReplyDeleteHow much competition did Van der Sar have at Man U. Or Neuer at Bayern. Doesn't seem to hurt their performances too much.
ReplyDeleteA christian one?
ReplyDeleteKeepers of that calibre don't need competition to keep them sharp; they are mentally stronger and infinitely better keepers. No one remembers Seaman and Schmeicals (however you spell it) understudies do they?
ReplyDeleteMignolet frustrates me with his ball distribution, how many times this season he has just mindlessly hoofed it upfield when under the smallest bit of pressure, and he always kicks it to the wingers, the smallest players on the field 9/10 we lose the ball.
ReplyDeleteAnd his handling needs to improve, especially from crosses, almost cost us the match yesterday.
Or maybe you just won't find really good goalkeepers who are willing to sit on the bench 98% of the matches a team players.
ReplyDeleteI think if you have a keeper of the stature of those you've listed, it would be almost impossible to get a top keeper to challenge them because no top keeper wants to be sitting behind a living legend of a keeper that they have no chance of shifting out the team. Mignolet is far from immovable as liverpools no1 and any decent keeper should fancy their chances of making the jersey their own, which at the very least should challenge migs to up his game as quickly as possible. I must stress here that I'm not calling for migs to be replaced just that competition is healthy. I think the lack of it played a part in pepe's dropped form towards the end
ReplyDeleteWorks for Sturridge :-)
ReplyDeleteRaymond van der Gouw - who could forget :)
ReplyDelete