Do Liverpool Really Need Joe Allen?
LIVERPOOL have been linked with Joe Allen for a while now.
Rated as one of the Premier League’s brightest prospects, the Swansea City player was a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ side last season, and it is logical for the Reds new boss to take an interest in bringing him to Anfield.
According to The Mirror, Rodgers is believed to have approached his former club for the services of the Welshman, who is currently on duty for Team GB, with a bid in the region of £12million.
The question remains however, with the number of players the Reds already have in the midfield area, should they?
No, not this summer at least. And my reasoning is down to one key aspect – money.
Allen is currently part of the Great Britain squad going for gold at the Olympic Games. If he is able to replicate his club performances at the Games, his price will rocket further. Swansea are talking about driving a hard bargain, and it could be one which does not result well for Liverpool’s bank balance.
It is the legacy of Liverpool’s disastrous buy-British policy from last year; if Sunderland received £20 million for Jordan Henderson, a player at a similar stage of his career, Swansea are entitled to expect a similar sum. That’s the kind of money that Reds do not have right now. After the failure of most of last season’s acquisitions, FSG has made it clear that they will not be spending a huge sum of money this transfer season.
Swansea on the other hand, have made it clear that it would take minimum £15 million to part with their prized asset. That begs the question of financials. Is Joe Allen worth a £15 million transfer fee? In my opinion, he is not. But he is easily worth a £10 million transfer fee and his potential gives him the ability to live up to the £12 million transfer fee. However, in my opinion £15 million is just a bit too much for a player who has had only one good season in Premier League.
If Swansea are determined on their valuation of £15 million plus for Allen, then it’ll be wise from Liverpool to walk away, for now at least. Liverpool have already overpaid for Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson last season and they should not make the same mistake again this season.
You have to ask; will his price go up in 12 months from what it is now? With Swansea facing the potentially troublesome ‘second-season syndrome’ factor, Allen also may face difficulties in pushing on. Even if he has a better season than last year, it is hard to believe his price tag a year from now will have moved upwards from £15 million. And if he does get better than this, then paying £15 million should not be a problem for the Reds, for a player who is a proven talent and a consistent performer in the Premier League.
Do Liverpool need him?
The Welsh international had an excellent first season in the top flight and earned rave reviews as Swansea finished a very respectable mid table. A diminutive, ball-winning midfielder, Allen also has an eye for the pass and fits in perfectly to the passing style that Rodgers will no doubt implement at Anfield this coming season.
Technically gifted, Allen would work well alongside the defensive qualities of Lucas Leiva and the attacking abilities of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
A move to Anfield would mean he would be playing in European competition on a regular basis and training alongside world-class players like Gerrard and Suarez, which surely would help in Allen’s development. He has the talent and the future is bright for him. Under scrupulous supervision of Rodgers, who is a keen admirer of the youngster, he could soon be an integral part of the Liverpool team.
However do Liverpool need to make a move to sign him now? Do Liverpool really need another midfielder now?
This is another key question. Rodgers is likely to utilise a three-man midfield, and two of the positions are automatic picks, Steven Gerrard and Lucas. For the remaining third position, Rodgers already has Charlie Adam, Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson and, maybe Suso at his disposal.
Brendan Rodgers has expressed his desire to work with Jordan Henderson, who still has bags of potential but yet to flourish into a top midfielder, and Jonjo Shelvey, who is clearly talented enough to compete for the spot.
Charlie Adam appears to be on his way out of the club, possibly as part of a swap deal with Clint Dempsey, but if he does stay, he will be pushing for first team action too and he is more than capable of doing that so.
Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani have also returned from their loan spells, and according to Rodgers they will be given their chances to prove themselves. And these two players do not only posses the creativity and versatility but they also have the experience of playing for a big club. In my opinion if they are given chances, which they deserve, they will fit into Rodgers’ playing style in no time. This means there is a very little room for Allen.
The highly rated and clearly talented Spaniard, Fernandez Suso is perhaps Liverpool’s brightest midfield prospect, and Allen’s arrival would potentially block his path to the first team too.
All in all, Liverpool are reasonably well stocked in centre midfield, with Jay Spearing offering cover too, and there is no urgency for Allen to be signed. Brendan Rodgers really needs to give players like Shelvey and Henderson competitive game time and judge them on that before electing to sign Allen. If they fail to convince this season, then perhaps the boss should take a second look at him next summer. If he is dead set on signing a new midfielder, Allen is hardly the only midfielder available. Rodgers has the whole world to scout for players, and could snap up a bargain for half the price (Rasmus Elm springs to mind).
Allen himself might feel Liverpool is a jump too soon in his career. He has seen Henderson struggle to acclimatize, and at 22 years of age, has plenty of time to work on his game. It would be wise for him to remain at Swansea for another season under new coach Michael Laudrup, which could be a good experience for him.
Liverpool on the other hand, should focus on what they do have available in the centre, and work on getting the best out of it. That at least is preferable to dramatically overpaying on a young Brit who still has a lot to prove at the top level.
Joe Allen, however, is one of the top young midfielders available on the transfer market right now (for a price). He is able to run both an offense and a defense as an all around midfielder. Every team would want a guy that could be their long term option as a leader and key cog in the attack like Joe Allen. His all around ability to lead both an offense and a defense makes him a top young prospect as a midfielder. Having said that, he however, still needs time to develop into a world class midfielder.
Next summer, if he continues his development, and Liverpool and Rodgers have a clearer direction, then will be a wiser time to consider a move.
Thanks a lot for reading. Opinions and suggestions are always welcomed. You can also find me on Twitter @LEONGUI7E
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July 27th, 2012
The Olympic game is giving you the reality what kind of players Liverpool needs as for J Allen not so fit for Lfc
July 27th, 2012
In answer to the question, if Liverpool have to look to any of the players listed as a second central midfield who can help the club to top four, then we do need Allan. of those listed, Adam is woeful; Aquilani is lightweight and probably won’t hack the prem; Cole has done very little and is most definitely not top four club standard; Spearing is, at best, a mid-table player; I think there are doubts about whether Shelvey can make the step up; and its too soon for Suso. For all the money spent on midfielders, the club is desperately lacking in quality
July 27th, 2012
LFC does not need to buy Joe Allen now. We also don’t need any British player for now, over priced and limited talent. We need to get another striker, winger and central defender from the continental and clear some of the wrong buys.
July 27th, 2012
This guy is what’s missing in our mid, hendo should get a chance and I blv he will come good Gerrard will pick up an injury I hope not but you know it will happen, aqua man is great but lazy, and might leave, adam might leave too, joe cole shoudlnt play in the center. we stacked in mid but our mid is not very good, I don’t think there is a lack of funds, but rather caution in spending. Why not Joe and Gaston, we might get money for carol and adam
July 28th, 2012
In short . No. This season we need to sell quite a few players who are just adding to the wage bill. Shelvey, spearing, John cole have to leave. Add Charlie Adam and Carroll .
We need another striker/ a right wing player and utilise a youngster or two.
Aquilani has something to offer if he stays clear of injury… Big if but rather than pay his wages whilst he helps juventus and acmilan, we keep him ourselves .
Aquilani , Lucas , Gerrard and Henderson. House is full for the moment. Add another dimension. Right wing player/striker/defender for senior Carragher. We will come good if that happens. I fear If we keep all the deadwood and pay over the odds for Allen, we are stuffed again this season. This buy British policy is all good but only at the right price. We are getting ripped off. Whilst spurs got city to pay their star strikers wages, we paid 35 million for the next big Mr England. What a disaster. We have to be smart with our money. Offer what you think…. Not accepted , Walk away.
I di hope Rogers knows, I really do.
July 29th, 2012
D question is why is lfc so confused about what they need. Allen is a midfielder, why do we want him wen we hav a bunch of dem already? Instead why not go 4 a winger or plsssss Gaston Ramirez. Pls spend d money on players who will produce results (goals). Dats all we need and not jst d tiki taka game. Tanks
July 29th, 2012
we need him pls
July 29th, 2012
I dnf no y pple r not tinking, we rely need allen, he is a very gud plyer, and I tink liverpool should 4get dempsy and go 4gaitan and ramirez bcos of ages dat all, my blood rmans red 4life.