Marseille left back and rumoured Liverpool target Taye Taiwo has apparently had a bust up with manager Didier Deschamps, according to the Skysports.com. Nigerian international Taiwo has become unsettled at the Stade Velodrome after he lost his place in the Marseille team to Gabriel Heinze at the end of last season, and is now demanding a move. Sky are reporting that Taiwo and Deschamps had to be separated by the club’s sporting director Jose Anigo and after the dispute, Taiwo told the website:
“Marseille know where I stand on this issue of a transfer. They are the ones who have to sort it out – I made my feelings clear to them.”
The 25 year old only has a year left on his contract and will certainly not be signing another in the near future. It leaves Marseille with limited options as they will either have to sell him for a cut-price deal this summer or let him go for nothing on a Bosman next year. According to those close to Taiwo, the Nigerian is said to be keener on a move to Spain with Atletico Madrid but there is said to be interest from both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. So would Taiwo be good enough for the Premier League?
Despite not really impressing as Nigeria’s full back at the World Cup in a team where few covered themselves in glory, Taiwo has been touted as a future star for the past few years. Taiwo was bought by Marseille six years ago in 2004 from his home town club Lobi Stars and he has subsequently impressed more and more since his debut, cementing a place in the starting eleven at left back during that time.
Taiwo is known as an attacking full back and he has a venomous left boot which has been clocked at 82 mph. He also has great tackling ability and his forays down the left wing are complemented by his ability to track back with his speed and athleticism. The full back first impressed at international level in the FIFA World Youth Championships in 2005, he scored two goals during the tournament helping Nigeria to the final where they lost out to Lionel Messi’s Argentina. He has subsequently played in two Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2008, won the Nigerian Young Player of the Year in 2006, and has now accrued 38 caps for his country, also playing for Nigeria at this year’s World Cup.
Last season, he helped Marseille win a league and cup double. A free kick specialist, he is also a big threat from long range in open play, and he scored a trademark effort against Lyon near the end of last season, scoring with a fantastic long range strike from outside the box. He also captained the side to the club’s first silverware in 17 years when they won the French League Cup, but his time at Marseille has started to turn sour.
After losing his place in the national eleven in January to youngster Elderson Uwa Echiejile in the 2010 African Cup of Nations when Nigeria were defeated 3-1 in their opening match by Egypt, he subsequently also lost a guaranteed starting spot at left back as Gabriel Heinze took his place. Despite Didier Deschamps and president Jean Claude Dassier wanting the player to see out the remainder of his contract, Taiwo is fighting for a move, and with Liverpool’s left back shortage, it seems the ideal opportunity for Roy Hodgson to purchase the player at a lower than expected price.
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buy him now roy
Bring him in, although by the sounds of things he will either got to Athletico or Tottenham, but fingers are still crossed….
buy him!!!!!!!!!he is world clas player
Ok muchc, its a done deal because you asked nicely
i really like this player but i don’t want him if he sees liverpool as 3rd choice!
sign him!!! bridge is good, but taiwo is just as good, if not better and could be a snip if this report is accurate!!!
he wants to be first choice, Spurs have Assecotto and even though Bale looks as though hes going to be playing more in a forward wing role he can still play there when needed. Liverpool on other hand don’t have any left backs remaining, so he would be first choice. Athletico Madrid are in a similar position to us they are in debt and have to sell before they can buy anyone
He is a classy footballer that would easilly adapt to the EPL.He is pacy,powerful and a freekick specialist.
we’ll be missing him during the African Nations cup though.
I was a bit surprised to hear he’s not even first choice at Marseille. Do we want Heinze’s backup? Sure, when I’ve seen him play he’s looked decent, but if he’s been dropped at his club I wonder if those appearances were deceptive.
Still better than Wayne Bridge though!
Personally, I’d like us to spend a fair chunk of the Masch money on Fabio Coentrao, but I wouldn’t be sure he’d want to come to us when we don’t have Champs League football
Go get him Roy! He’s hungry and wants to play! Then get Coentrao or Retro! Hernanes sounds okay too so get him and Benega or Defour!
Wow smart, and exactly and exactly how do you propose to pay for all those players, monopoly money?
BUY HIM ! LIKE NOW !
Just get him and Remy, I mean with all the players who have left now and in January with only 1 transfer fee paid for a player (18 year old from Rangers), there should be enaugh cash to get bouth of them.
And please stop the rummors involving Huntelaar, it just what we dont need right now.