After weeks of speculation, Liverpool have finally confirmed that 'excellent' Cameroon international Joel Matip will be Jurgen Klopp's first signing of the Summer 2016 transfer window.
Last week, Schalke Chief Horst Heldt confirmed that an announcement on Matip's future was imminent, and according to a statement on the official LFC website today:
"Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement to sign Cameroon defender Joel Matip. The 24-year-old [Reportedly offered £50k-a-week by LFC] will join the Reds in the summer".
Ex-Schalke star Christoph Metzelder is convinced that Anfield is the right destination for Matip, and in a recent interview, he raved:
“Liverpool is a super destination for him [Matip]. Jurgen Klopp knows he can work very well with him. For Joel it would be an easier entry into a new country."
With respect, playing for Liverpool will not be an 'easier' entry into a new country for Matip. He'll have to deal with the incredible weight of expectation, and he'll be under immense pressure to make an immediate impact.
The good news is that Matip - who cites Zinedine Zidane as his role model - has missed just 16 games through injury in the last seven years, which will be a welcome relief given the regular injuries suffered by the likes of Lovren and Sakho.
The question is, who is Matip replacing? I can't see how Klopp can keep Skrtel, Sakho, Lovren, and Matip happy across an entire season, so something has to give.
Author: Jaimie K
Last week, Schalke Chief Horst Heldt confirmed that an announcement on Matip's future was imminent, and according to a statement on the official LFC website today:
"Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement to sign Cameroon defender Joel Matip. The 24-year-old [Reportedly offered £50k-a-week by LFC] will join the Reds in the summer".
Ex-Schalke star Christoph Metzelder is convinced that Anfield is the right destination for Matip, and in a recent interview, he raved:
“Liverpool is a super destination for him [Matip]. Jurgen Klopp knows he can work very well with him. For Joel it would be an easier entry into a new country."
With respect, playing for Liverpool will not be an 'easier' entry into a new country for Matip. He'll have to deal with the incredible weight of expectation, and he'll be under immense pressure to make an immediate impact.
The good news is that Matip - who cites Zinedine Zidane as his role model - has missed just 16 games through injury in the last seven years, which will be a welcome relief given the regular injuries suffered by the likes of Lovren and Sakho.
The question is, who is Matip replacing? I can't see how Klopp can keep Skrtel, Sakho, Lovren, and Matip happy across an entire season, so something has to give.
Author: Jaimie K
0 Comments:
Post a Comment