Which of these left backs would be the best fit for the Reds next season?
Jose Enrique – Experienced in the Premier League and has vastly improved since his first season in the top flight with Newcastle, the Spaniard has also spoken of moving to a new club. With his contract up at the end of next season, it has been said that the Magpies are willing to cash in on the left back this summer rather than lose him for nothing. Could cost between £6-12m.
Emilio Izaguirre – The Honduran left back has played well for Celtic this season, although he is still unproven at the highest level. Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley compared the defender favourably to his Welsh team mate Gareth Bale and Celtic boss Neil Lennon will not be letting the player without a fight.
Fabio Coentrao – A very talented attacking full back who has excelled for club and country over the last two years since being converted from being a left winger. Still primarily a full back more comfortable going forward than defensively, but with his pace, skill and threatening crosses, he is attracting interest from teams such as Real Madrid as well as Liverpool. Could cost between £25-30m.
Taye Taiwo – The former Marseille captain and Nigerian international is only still 25 but already has a great deal of experience. The full back’s contract is up in the summer and he will be available on a free transfer. Taiwo has said his agent is already talking with a number of big clubs over a move away from the Stade Velodrome.
Michel Bastos – More of a left winger, than a full back, the Brazilian has however been linked with Liverpool in recent days in the French media. Bastos has played in the left back position for Brazil but he is more confident in the final third where he can produce spectacular long range shots.
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haha..
at this point im the one and only person that voted for Taiwo..
my reasoning is that he would be a good addition to the squad, especially as he’s on a free…and frankly, i’d prefer him to our current number 3. I see him more as someone that will increase squad strength. I would love Coentrao but we’d be spending far too much money to bring him to the club..
If I were to spend money it would probably be on Izaguirre..because he has ability, and unlike Enrique, he isn’t always trying to talk up a move. Attitude is as important as anything
paying 25m for a defendender is preposterous…i’d go for either enrique or taiwo..
people obviously haven’t learnt still – wingers win titles, expensive full backs are just a luxury…
There’s no way you could get that money back for Contreao, and with the best full backs lucky to even total 5goals and assists a season, it would be very unlikely that he’d prove worthy of that fee either
Bastos would be a good addition because he could play left wing, fill in at left back or go wing back.. What is to lose?
@ daniel
a goal probably..he’s not recognised as being that strong defensively (bastos)and at 27, although still youngish in football terms..he probably doesn’t fit the brief that FSG have stated.
I reckon they’ll maybe look at someone just a bit younger
I suppose so, It is best to get in younger players that can develop just like Martin Kelly to become very good players… There was some talk of Micah Richards which would probably mean keeping Johnson on the left, Micah on the right with most likely Agger and Kelly as CB when Carragher gets too old. I for one think that Kelly is a better younger version of Skrtel, with more flexability..
on like CHESNEY has just said i’ll tip TAIWO because he’ll be on free transfer and he has strength to contest for ball and he’s good in free kicks and natural left footer,also we’l not spend much on him,so he’ll be a good addition to our left wing problem.
Any of them but Bastos, and that because he only seems to be a left winger when I see him.
Coentrao would be my favourite if money no object, but it may be he’d prefer to be playing Champs League, which we’re unlikely to offer next season.
Signing coentrao would be a true statement of intent from FSG. Best young worldclass talent!
* M.Bastos is more of a wing player.
* Emilio Izaguirre is a raw talent for EPL and will not fit in immediately.
* Fabio Coentrao is good, but spending 25M on fullback is not a good idea considering what Johnson has given us for 17M
* Jose Enrique is proven and plays week-in-week-out. Hence reliable and can be considered. Not a crosser nor creates goal scoring chance.
* Taye Taiwo is on a free, will provide physical presence, has pace and best crosser when compared to everyone mentioned above.
So my choice would me Taiwo or Enrique.
leighton baines?
Taye Taiwo is on a free and physicaly the strongest,as for pace the fastest and a v.good crosser the only 1 better is Fabio Coentrao 25m,Taye Taiwo is the cheapest and the best and a free i would give another million signing on fee get deal done fast
Getting Taye Taiwo on the free is a no-brainer for me. He’s solid defensively, physically strong and has an excellent left foot. The guy’s even worth as much as 10m so considering he’s a free agent in the summer, Kenny and Comolli should do their utmost to get him. Also, at 25 the guy still has a lot to offer and would fit in well with FSG’s long term plans.
In contrast, spending some 25m on a full back is just ridiculous. Fabio Coentrao is no doubt a good player but you’ve got to be realistic and do deals that are sensible financially. 25m on a full back come on guys, come back to reality. If he’s available for a lower price then he could be considered but even at around 18-20m, that would be very expensive for a full back.
As for Jose Enrique, he’s improved over the last couple of seasons but I still think he’s average at best. He’s good defensively but doesn’t offer much in attack. For back up left back then that would be alright but I wouldn’t want him as my first choice.