Five Midfielders Linked With Anfield Summer Switch

With the departure of Liverpool’s iconic captain Steven Gerrard there is a gap that needs to be filled in the middle of the park for next season.

Indeed, there could be more should one or two midfielders depart Anfield this summer, with Lucas Leiva especially being linked with a move away.

Meanwhile, Joe Allen has yet to prove himself consistently at the highest level for the Reds and can only remain at the club as a squad player, but is unlikely to leave as long as manager Brendan Rodgers remains at the club.

Emre Can is a player who has the potential to impress in a midfield role for 2015/16 but cannot be relied upon as Liverpool’s only option, especially as most of his good work last season came in defence and has yet to look dominant or special in midfield.

Unfortunately, as with almost every other position when analyzed, the midfield needs some upgrades, both for the starting XI and the squad.

James Milner (Manchester City)

With every passing day, James Milner’s transfer to Liverpool seemed to be edging ever closer. Now it has finally been confirmed.

It had been no secret that talks were ongoing to bring the England international from rivals Manchester City to Anfield.

On a free transfer, it is especially easy to see why Milner appeals to Rodgers. At 29, he still has a few years left in the tank and his industry and versatility are perfect qualities for the manager, who can use Milner in a number of formations.

Furthermore, contrary the idea that all he can do is run, Milner created 52 chances last season in the Premier League, a number the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Oscar, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria could not reach. Moreover, he made as many assists last season for Manchester City as David Silva.

Yet Milner is not the sole solution to Liverpool’s midfield problems.

Yes he may be underrated but he is not world-class either. While attracting world-class talent is difficult given Liverpool’s pedigree in the transfer market and that the club cannot offer Champions League football, money still talks.

Milner will command large wages and a signing on fee, but for a free transfer he is a welcome addition to the squad as he will open up funds to spend on another midfielder, amongst other positions.

However, compared to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, Milner is not good enough to command an automatic place – he does not possess that star quality that guarantees you a position on the idea that you can change a game in a second.

He will probably get more first-team action at Anfield than in Manchester, but a more defensive option is also needed for Liverpool’s midfield to improve next season.

William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)

At just 23, William Carvalho fits the young potential category model that Fenway Sports Group have been pursuing since taking over Liverpool.

He is also a powerful defensive midfielder, something that the Reds have cried out for in recent seasons, with Lucas Leiva’s injury problems and the previous losses of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

Too many times recently have Liverpool’s midfield parted like the Red Sea to allow the opposition to assault the back four at will, which was seen in all its horror in the 6-1 final day defeat to Stoke City.
Compared with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, who have Nemanja Matic and Francis Coquelin respectively and could be set to bring in more players in those positions, Liverpool are incredibly light in this position and it has to be addressed this summer.

Consequently, Carvalho would be an excellent purchase in an effort to solve this problem.

Last summer, Sporting Lisbon wanted any club interested to pay the full release clause of £37m for the Portuguese international, but they have since relaxed their stand.

£20m would probably be the likely sum required to bring Carvalho to Anfield, but competition is set to be fierce, with the giants of the Premier League all having Carvalho as one of their targets for defensive midfield – a position nearly everyone is looking to invest in this summer.

Geoffrey Kondogbia (AS Monaco)

Another defensive midfielder, Geoffrey Kondogbia is in a similar mould to Carvalho, yet is one year younger, has more experience in the Champions League with AS Monaco and arguably has more pace and ability to shield a defence.

With few injuries and consistent good form, Kondogbia is beginning to stake a claim in the French national team, while he was extremely impressive in Monaco’s 3-1 away win against Arsenal in the Champions League.

He has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Inter Milan, with the price ranging from £20-25m. However, he seems set on joining a club in the Champions League, which immediately hampers both Inter Milan and Liverpool.

In addition, other clubs may also enter the fray if their pursuit of Juventus’ Paul Pogba ends in disappointment, as Kondogbia is seen as one of the hottest properties in his position after Pogba.

Therefore, this deal seems unlikely, but is certainly worth pursuing.

Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan)

A long-term target of Rodgers, Liverpool fans will be hoping the Croatian international will be another Coutinho, especially if the rumoured £15m bid is true and accepted by Inter Milan.

Kovacic is an extremely talented player and at only 21 is flagged as one of the best young talents in Europe, yet seems to have lost his way slightly and now the Italian giants want to sell so they can focus on other targets such as Manchester City’s Yaya Toure and Kondogbia (a player Liverpool need more than Kovacic, but are inadvertently signing to another club).

If Kovacic arrives at Liverpool, he could very well be a success, as with Coutinho, and improve our attacking options. However, is he truly needed at the club next season, especially if the fee increases to £20m+?

Along with our little Brazilian, Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe, Lazar Markovic and Jordan Henderson can all operate in attacking midfield, with wide players the only incomings that could improve this area, such as Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

Certainly it’s hard to see how Kovacic would be able to compete for regular football with these names above, and he isn’t needed to improve the squad in this position either, given the number of players who can play there for Liverpool.

Plus, don’t forget Milner and the likes of Emre Can and Joe Allen who can operate in central midfield. A defensive option is needed alongside these players, and Kovacic is not a defensive midfielder.

Yet he is exactly what FSG and Rodgers look for, so it would not be surprising to see Kovacic arrive at Anfield, at the expense of a truly needed anchorman.

Asier Illarramendi (Real Madrid)

Rumours over a potential deal between Liverpool and Asier Illarramendi began when former Red favourite Xabi Alonso told his fellow Spaniard about the greatness of the club and how he should consider moving to Merseyside if he wants to leave Real Madrid this summer.

In return, Rodgers does seem to be interested in the 25 year old, who has struggled for game time since moving to Madrid for over £23m.

Yet Illarramendi has a very good record for Madrid when he plays, but it seems he doesn’t fit into their ‘Galactico’ strategy, with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Lucas Silva ahead of Illarramendi in the pecking order. Plus, when you consider that Madrid like to bring in a marquee name or two, Illarramendi’s future with the Spanish giants looks bleak.

Arsenal have also been linked with the £15m rated Illarramendi, who helped the Spanish Under-21s win the 2013 European Under-21 Championship (and was in the team of the tournament), but Liverpool currently seem in pole position, should Illarramendi decide to leave.

That seems the biggest sticking point, especially with a new manager coming in; Illarramendi may feel he can grasp a second chance at Madrid under Rafael Benitez.

Yet this being Benitez, perhaps he can help bring Illarramendi to Anfield!

There is no doubting Illarramendi’s talent. He could easily become another player, such as Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho, who struggled for game time but found their way at Liverpool.

However, whilst he would keep things ticking in the centre of midfield, in a similar vein to Alonso, he is not the powerful defensive midfielder needed.

With Milner’s signing, Illarramendi, like Kovacic, would be talented additions but not essential for the squad, unless the club completely overhauls the playing staff, in which case I would personally prefer Kovacic or Illarramendi to Joe Allen.

But signing three midfielders seems unlikely this summer, so, along with Milner, a defensive midfielder such as Carvalho or Kondogbia should be pursued by Liverpool this summer.