With the pursuit of Sevilla star Alberto Moreno seemingly on the rocks, Liverpool are ready to switch their attention to Ajax left back Daley Blind, who is currently on World Cup duty with the Netherlands.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf today:
* Liverpool - whose interest is described as 'concrete' - have held transfer talks with Ajax Director of Football Marc Overmars.
* Ajax are willing to see want 24-year old Blind for €12m.
Blind put in a great performance against Spain during Holland's opening World Cup group game, and contributed two assists to cap a memorable night for Louis Van Gaal's team. Some info about Blind:
* 2010-2014: Winner of four league titles in a row with Ajax.
* 2013: Ajax Player of the Year.
* 2014: Named Dutch Player of the Year.
* 140 apps for Ajax since 2010.
* 13 apps for the Dutch national team.
* Can play left back, or defensive midfield.
After witnessing Holland's annihilation of Spain, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry raved:
"The Dutch owned it. That was the final we wanted to see four years ago and the man of the match was Blind. The way he played - he did it all to a tee. Whatever van Gaal asked him to do, he did more."
Alan Shearer added:
"Daley Blind down that wing [was] absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were."
The footballing education received by young players at Ajax is amongst the best in the world, so Blind certainly has the pedigree. He also has experience of winning trophies, and four league titles in a row ensures that he'll have a strong winning mentality.
For me, €12m on Blind is infinitely preferable to £18m+ on Alberto Moreno, a player who doesn't have the experience - either domestically or international - of the Dutchman.
Author: Jaimie K
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf today:
* Liverpool - whose interest is described as 'concrete' - have held transfer talks with Ajax Director of Football Marc Overmars.
* Ajax are willing to see want 24-year old Blind for €12m.
Blind put in a great performance against Spain during Holland's opening World Cup group game, and contributed two assists to cap a memorable night for Louis Van Gaal's team. Some info about Blind:
* 2010-2014: Winner of four league titles in a row with Ajax.
* 2013: Ajax Player of the Year.
* 2014: Named Dutch Player of the Year.
* 140 apps for Ajax since 2010.
* 13 apps for the Dutch national team.
* Can play left back, or defensive midfield.
After witnessing Holland's annihilation of Spain, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry raved:
"The Dutch owned it. That was the final we wanted to see four years ago and the man of the match was Blind. The way he played - he did it all to a tee. Whatever van Gaal asked him to do, he did more."
Alan Shearer added:
"Daley Blind down that wing [was] absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were."
The footballing education received by young players at Ajax is amongst the best in the world, so Blind certainly has the pedigree. He also has experience of winning trophies, and four league titles in a row ensures that he'll have a strong winning mentality.
For me, €12m on Blind is infinitely preferable to £18m+ on Alberto Moreno, a player who doesn't have the experience - either domestically or international - of the Dutchman.
Author: Jaimie K
His stats look impressive, already I've not seen too much of him play. All I can say is the Dutch know how to play and at 24 he could be our full back for the next 6-7 years, and at £12m appears better value for money than Moreno.
ReplyDeleteAt the start of the Spain game I actually pinpointed Blind as a potential liability as he just looked a little slow on the turn and didn't seem to have great acceleration for a full-back. Of course he ended the game as probably the 3rd best player on the pitch and his assists were absolutely marvellous.
ReplyDeleteI also like the look of Ricardo Rodriguez. Had a great season in the Bundesliga, which is reasonably similar to the Prem in terms of physicality, is the right age and could be add a large creative component to the side with his delivery from dead balls and open play with his left foot.
I'll be interested to see more of both.
Blind did indeed play a 'blinder' against Spain, but otherwise I confess I don't know too much about him. If he plays like that throughout the world cup I expect there will be stiff competition for his signature. I've also heard the names of Ricardo Rodriguez and Rojo mentioned too. Speaking of blinders, Ochoa has just put in a magnificent shift for Mexico against Brazil. Worth a bid?
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see Ochoa he looks tremendous but the seems to garner so little interest relative to his perceived quality (the perception is mine) that I always think he must be awful when you watch him more regularly or at least very flawed.
ReplyDeleteYou;d certainly hope that Ochoa is being watched, because he wouldn't even require a bid because he is a free agent.
Agree - Ochoa looks brilliant. He's said in the past that he wants a move to LFC. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about him soon.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough there were a number of articles in the media a few months back linking both us and I think Arsenal with a move for him.
ReplyDeleteIt is of course totally wrong to judge a player (and particulary a keeper) after seeing only a handful of performances but I can't deny that I'm impressed.
Wrong? It is the Gerard Houllier School of Scouting. Put your feet up, watch the World Cup, phone up Rick Parry (now Ian Ayre) and tell him "That Diouf fella looks decent, doesn;the?"
ReplyDeleteYou ring his agent, I'll work out what hotel he is staying in.
ReplyDeleteLet's do this!
Haha. Spot on.
ReplyDeleteSo true. It was this same transfer policy that led Houllier to unwisely dub one Bruno Cheyrou as 'the new Zidane.'
ReplyDeleteOchoa is out of contract and available on a free, wages could be above 30k but nothing compared to Reina, heard a few interviews and he is a very confident in his ability's, if he was to join he would know he would he would start as a back up but he would be confident he could replace Mignolet within a few years, the perfect mentality for a back up that would snatch any opportunity he is presented,
ReplyDeleteRodriguez and Blind are both terrific. I think Rodridguez might be on his way to Madrid, though. Blind would do nicely.
ReplyDeleteOne decent game for holland against a fading spanish team and people are fosming at mouth.
ReplyDeletelike most i only know him from the Spain game, did appear to be solid and composed but not overly pacy... cant say if he would be a good signing or not... although i don't think Moreno is a great option, much prefer Ricardo Rodriguez cheaper, younger, and strong and reliable defensively and a stand out performer in the Bundesliga this year arguably the only league to rival the BPL for physicality,
ReplyDeleteI agree totally that Blind is not only the cheaper option but the better more experienced option, but I do really like Ricardo Rodriguez as well. In all fairness either of the two would be fine by me
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for everyone, but the foam at my mouth is the result of untreated rabies.
ReplyDeleteGrrr.
Yes and hurry because others will be drawn to him.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have Ricardo Rodrigues or Marcos Rojo personally
ReplyDeleteJust another groundless story, to be sure. Is there any player Liverpool have not been linked with?
ReplyDeleteHe's older than mignolet so 'in a few years' Simon will be hitting his prime and Ochoa will be on the decline
ReplyDeleteNot sure who you meant about age but Rodriguez and Moreno are same age, Blind is 24. Pace is not everything, especially if we're talking £6-8mil difference. Personally, I will be pleased with whomever management decides is the best fit at the right price. Paying over the odds for someone just sets them up for failure. I think with tempered expectations out of anyone we bring in this summer will satisfy fans as long as we get the right man for what Rodgers wants to do.
ReplyDeleteRojo is more of a CB an if we bring in any central defenders we must either sell Skrtel and Agger. I'd rather see Andre Wisdom and Tiago Illori be given a chance than for us to spend money on a position that isn't that high of a priority. Sakho and Skrtel performed very well this year but neither really took command of the defense. If one of those two steps up and organizes our defense we will be a much improved unit. Rojo would not start as a fullback like as not so why shell out the money for him if he's going to kick rocks on the bench.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, like yourself I'm a scot, I was wondering if like me you had a conflict of emotions watching England the other night? I couldn't help but want the Liverpool players to do well but I was also delighted when Italy scored. Ultimately I think I was satisfied with the result, as a whole I thought the Liverpool contingent played reasonably well but in the end England lost :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I felt exactly the same. Like you, I was delighted when Italy scored :-)
ReplyDeletePretty sure Rojo plays left back for sporting Lisbon. I agree though I'd like to see Ilori given a crack, I like the look of him
ReplyDeleteCould LFC just decide on one and quit all the faux nail biting suspense?
ReplyDelete1decent game doesn't make you Ajax and Dutch player of the year pal.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, that sounds like Blind faith to me.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I've never been convinced by Blind. He's always had this star in a small league vibe about him. I was really surprised to see him turn up the way he did against Spain. I knew he was good in the Dutch league, I've seen him play in it plenty, but this was really the first time I saw him perform like that outside of it. I think a lot of players stepped up a level that night. Martins Indi, Janmaat and even Vlaar. So I also think we should see how he fares the rest of tournament.
ReplyDeleteHe's a clown. Higuita was a good goalkeeper at times as well but he was also a liability. So is Ochoa. And he likes to talk too much.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is though, I'm sure his phone is full of missed calls and texts after that performance.
ReplyDeleteWill he want to come to Liverpool and play backup keeper or move to another club (CL qualified presumably) and start?
We signed Diouf and Diao before the World Cup, didn't we?!
ReplyDeleteTell me about it.....Woof Woof
ReplyDeleteOh you're Scottish then?
ReplyDeleteYou Scots seem to have a "lose at all costs" mentality as far as England is concerned. It must be in the genes...:-)
ReplyDeleteWe should go "all in" on the blind....... I'll get my coat
ReplyDelete2 assists at the world cup? Surely his transfer value just doubled.
ReplyDeleteWatched this lad last night Kevin de Bruyne.
ReplyDeleteEVEN looks like Stevie G.
Shone out of ALL the starts in the Belgium team.
Took every Free kick etc.
Was on Chelskis books now at Woolfsberg.
GO GET HIM BR... He's going to be a star
I am indeed
ReplyDeleteSome of these links are rougher than a Badger's ar@e as they say down these parts
ReplyDeleteI think if another UK team were in a major competition and England weren't, I would support them. Well... maybe not Wales.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Badgers, I once saw a Honey badger survive an attack by two lions. It did eventually die like 5 days later but word of advice. If you cross paths with this creature then do not mess with it :-)
ReplyDeleteWon't be any signings until after the WC probably, so cool your jets man!
ReplyDeleteHe does, but Rojo wasn't able to influence the game from the left the other day against Bosnia at all. His movement was lacking. Looked much more comfortable when defending centrally. Rodriguez looks on another planet to that guy in attacking terms on the left, but according to the internet and to common sense, he's going to Madrid. Blind looks like a good player to me. I wonder if he goes to Arsenal, as they say he might, whether Kieron Gibbs would be worth a cheeky bid? I just get the feeling that he might be approachable.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Scot and I support England in lieu of the motherland at these tournaments. It's not genetic, it's a choice some people make. A small-minded, petty, and dishonest one, in my opinion. ;)
ReplyDeleteOch aye would have done
ReplyDeleteOh good I like a story with a happy ending :-)
ReplyDeleteOur opening fixtures for the EPL 14/15 season
ReplyDeleteAugust
16 - Southampton (H)
23 - Manchester City (A)
30 - Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Tricky start.
Yeah, I'm very much waiting to see more of him before I give him my (inevitably decisive) seal of approval.
ReplyDeleteThe fact he plays more at CM for Ajax nowadays also puts me off.
I think the Diouf deal was done during the World Cup, but don't you dare let facts get in the way of a joke!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he has, but the English league is usually a big draw and we have Champions League. I'm not assuming he'd come, but we should be in the mix if that performance is a good indicator of his general performance (again, I have to admit I don't know).
ReplyDeleteAlso, if that performance is anything to go by he'd be a genuine challenger to Mignolet, not just a back-up.
My guess is we'll get someone more unassuming/less threatening.
Yup. Derby is in September too. I'd be interested to see how these fixtures line-up with Champions League.
ReplyDeleteonly one LB I'm interested in... and that's Ricardo Rodriguez... Cheaper, better. and already showing his class on a regular basis in Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.. and he assissted both of Switzerlands goals so far in the WC...
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling he'll become another Alderweireld... Overwhelmed with the step up in class...
ReplyDeleteWhat are you on about, Ochoa is a quite humble man, who becomes giant on the pitch... I don't don't know where you got that from at all....
ReplyDeleteOchoa played by my accounts the best I've seen from any keeper in the tournament so far. Saved 2 goals from happening. The confidence is high with this team. I don't see him wanting to be a backup or sign as a backup. He will go where he will start. Mark my words. If I am wrong, than what a battle in goal there would be.
ReplyDeleteIt's just banter man chill out
ReplyDeleteHow good does it feel to be see us back in the CL...
ReplyDeleteJust watched Blind against Australia definitely one of Hollands better players in a side which was lucky to win.
ReplyDeleteThe Aussies were fantastic today just lacked that quality finisher which was the difference in the game still so very proud of em.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it enormously. I reckon I might try and get to at least one of the away games depending on who we draw. Always fancied going to San Mames (or the new San Mames).
ReplyDeleteI don't like players who run their mouth off in the press. Dropping our name to get as many clubs interested as possible. He's 27 and he's at one of the worst clubs in France. Before one decent night against a poor Brazil he was never considered by anyone on the planet as a decent goalkeeper.
ReplyDeleteWell he was already a bit less impressive yesterday. And seeing as you can compare Australia to Stoke etc. that may have sealed it for me.
ReplyDelete