In February, former Barcelona star Seydou Keita confirmed that Liverpool tried to sign him on transfer deadline day. The Reds lost out to Valencia that time, but new reports suggests that Brendan Rodgers is planning on making another bid for the veteran midfielder this summer.
During his unveiling at Valencia, the Mali international - described by former Mail boss Patrice Cateron as 'a fantastic leader' - told reporters:
"Things were advancing with Liverpool. I was in very advanced talks with Liverpool, but Valencia came and I have more chances to play. At Liverpool, I wasn't sure what would happen."
According to reports today:
* Liverpool are Roma are chasing Keita, who is out of contract at Valencia.
* Keita wants to play Champions League football.
Liverpool have been linked with Keita several times in the past, and prior to his move to China in the summer of 2012, the midfielder was very complimentary about the Reds. He told reporters:
"A challenge elsewhere would appeal to me, and Liverpool are a great team with great players"
How would Keita fare at Liverpool? By all accounts, he's still extremely fit, and his excellent appearance record throughout his career shows that he takes care of himself. Plus, there's nothing like four years of regular football at Barcelona to hone a player's technical and tactical skills.
I'm not sure how Joe Allen and Lucas will feel about the deal, though. Bringing in a 34 year old midfielder to challenge them is (arguably) a massive slap in the face for those two, especially when competition for midfield places is already fierce.
At the start of next season, LFC could theoretically have Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lucas, Allen, and Keita fighting for places in midfield, and that doesn't strike me as healthy competition.
Do Liverpool even need Keita? Surely a better option is to promote a young midfielder from the youth ranks (i.e. someone like Conor Coady)
Author: Jaimie K
During his unveiling at Valencia, the Mali international - described by former Mail boss Patrice Cateron as 'a fantastic leader' - told reporters:
"Things were advancing with Liverpool. I was in very advanced talks with Liverpool, but Valencia came and I have more chances to play. At Liverpool, I wasn't sure what would happen."
According to reports today:
* Liverpool are Roma are chasing Keita, who is out of contract at Valencia.
* Keita wants to play Champions League football.
Liverpool have been linked with Keita several times in the past, and prior to his move to China in the summer of 2012, the midfielder was very complimentary about the Reds. He told reporters:
"A challenge elsewhere would appeal to me, and Liverpool are a great team with great players"
How would Keita fare at Liverpool? By all accounts, he's still extremely fit, and his excellent appearance record throughout his career shows that he takes care of himself. Plus, there's nothing like four years of regular football at Barcelona to hone a player's technical and tactical skills.
I'm not sure how Joe Allen and Lucas will feel about the deal, though. Bringing in a 34 year old midfielder to challenge them is (arguably) a massive slap in the face for those two, especially when competition for midfield places is already fierce.
At the start of next season, LFC could theoretically have Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lucas, Allen, and Keita fighting for places in midfield, and that doesn't strike me as healthy competition.
Do Liverpool even need Keita? Surely a better option is to promote a young midfielder from the youth ranks (i.e. someone like Conor Coady)
Author: Jaimie K
According to reports over the last 2 hours Keita has agreed a deal with Roma.
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers should not even waste his time with S Keita(34), one player we have not been linked with that could and would suit B Rodgers system as a DM who is available for cheap who is class, quality player is E Banega(25) Of Valencia.
ReplyDeleteE Banega(25) is a class quality football player who gets stuck in and protects back 4 well enough. Sunderland and Tottenham are currently fighting for his signature, he is available supposed for £5.5M- £7M
That is an absolute bargain for a Argentinian international
he is a very good player Banega
ReplyDeleteIf he doesn't come, not going to cry. But having a wise head in midfield helps with game management and closing a game out (most notable missing against Crystal Palace).
ReplyDeleteP.S.
What this fascination with the this term 'UNHEALTHY COMPETITION'.. are you trying to 'coin-a-phrase? Either that or your worried about your cholesterol. Even if Keita doesn't come,we are looking at Emre Can.
Keita not confidence inspiring.pass.
ReplyDeleteit might be because valencia loaned all their stars with big paychecks out. for what ive come to understand, Valencia might be doing Rangers pretty soon and file for bankruptcy.
ReplyDeletesad to see it if it happens, for Valencia is a big club with traditions. kinda scary, couple years ago it couldve been us.
Maybe needs a new challenge, to get the juices flowing (not a euphemism.. unless he bones Giggs' wife). Plus you'll need someone to car pool with him to training if you buy him, he keeps running himself over with his car.
ReplyDeleteA massive slap in the face for Allen and Leiva? Oh, what a pity.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if our scouting network miss out on some players like Ever Banega and Milan Badelj. Very good skillful players capable of playing the deep playmaker role or the CDM role. Both will come very reasonable. How do we miss these and look at Keita, I will never get it. If Athletico or Udinese had 60M+ for transfers, they will find skillfull players for reasonable amounts.
ReplyDeleteBanega opens up defences with his through balls. I will take him or Milan Badelj anyday to improve quality on bench.
ReplyDeleteLong teeth can be good. 31 league goals good.
ReplyDeleteScott Parker wud b a good squad and a bit of experience
ReplyDeleteIf you know about them I'd be confident the scouting group knows about them. Think about it ... you are a fan and you obviously spend a lot of time reading about and watching football. But these guys do that for a living. 10-12 hours a day, that's all they do. They would absolutely know about those players and if they're not interested then they'll have specific reasons.
ReplyDeleteAnother 'non runner' hopefully.Parker is all shapes,no substance.Anyway,what age is he?
ReplyDeletePfffft...how then does that make him LFC material? When did we become psychotherapists to wayward football talents?
ReplyDeleteShoulda added Spock ears too!
ReplyDeleteI agree; forget Keita at 34. That said, Lucas or Allen should be sent off along with Alberto, Reina, Coates, Aspas, and possibly Glen Johnson as funding for faster, younger and more skilled players......I loved Johnson in the past but the last 18 months he hasn't busted a gut for us. I would be happier with Clyne and Flanno........
ReplyDeleteI thought FSG didn't do short term fixes?
ReplyDeleteIf anything they SHOULD be looking to put Gerrard out to grass -same age - not recruiting more 'pensioners'. Quite honestly, Frank Lampard is a better bet. At least, you know he can handle the PL... and with the Ashley Cole rumours, as well... this summer has the stench of some profit building, not squad building. We' seem to go from one extreme to another - signing teenagers to player approaching retirement - Lambert anybody?
Hope I'm proved wrong.