Liverpool open talks for “world-class” £67m phenom

They are saying that standings are meaningless earlier than the Christmas interval in soccer, and there is greater than only a grain of fact in that.

Nonetheless, Liverpool might be delighted with their progress beneath Arne Slot this season, having defied expectations to win 12 of their first 14 matches throughout all competitions, first in each the Premier League and newly-formatted Champions League group stage.

Issues could not be going higher. Nonetheless, regardless of the cast-iron defensive resolve, the free-scoring attacking exploits and the slick and trendy soccer on present, the midfield at occasions lacks physicality and command.

Is that nitpicking? Maybe, however though Ryan Gravenberch has raised his sport by a number of flights, bringing in a little bit of competitors would not be amiss.

Liverpool switch information

The following switch window is drawing nearer, and which means the routine Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool rumours are beginning again up.

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Actual Madrid famous person’s representatives have engaged in talks with the Anfield aspect, who’re making an attempt to determine whether or not a transfer may very well be on the playing cards, with Los Blancos now not viewing him as ‘untouchable’.

A separate report – from Spain – has steered that Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect would consider offers that fall into the ballpark of €80m (£67m), which suggests they’d take a loss on the £85m sum paid to AS Monaco for his signature in 2022, profitable such a race in opposition to… Liverpool.

How Aurelien Tchouameni compares to Gravenberch

This could be a shocking seize for FSG, who’ve beforehand held a vested curiosity in Tchouameni and will now pounce, for Actual Madrid are bloated with high-class high quality and may have to make some sacrifices.

The France worldwide is little doubt among the many pantheon of latest midfielders, hailed for his “world-class” performances by Transfermarkt’s Stefan Bienkowski.

His efforts throughout Actual’s extremely profitable 2023/24 marketing campaign have been marred by damage, and although he is returned with vigour this time period, the stability is all incorrect on the Spanish membership proper now and they’re toiling.

Transfer Focus

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Even so, Tchouameni’s muscular profile and first-class technical sport mark him as a minimize above the lion’s share of his friends, and he actually may very well be the one to make the quantity six place his personal at Liverpool over the approaching years, jockeying for place with Gravenberch.

As you possibly can see from above, the 2 midfielders have been fairly neck-and-neck of their respective divisions this season, albeit with Gravenberch a bit extra crisp within the duel and Tchouameni extra crunching within the sort out and exact with the cross.

Tchouameni, 24, ranks among the many high 3% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for cross completion and the highest 10% for interceptions and aerial duels received per 90, as per FBref, emphasising his pure defensive high quality and that passing prowess too.

Gravenberch has been a revelation for Liverpool this time period however he isn’t the tough-tackling profile of a conventional defensive midfielder. Bringing in Tchouameni – who has already confirmed himself on the elite stage in Madrid – will surely add a dimension in that regard whereas strengthening the depth and dynamism of Slot’s high-flying outfit.

Who is aware of, maybe the 2 stars would be taught to coexist within the midfield, dominating English soccer for years to come back.

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