Growing speculation suggests that Liverpool will make a move for Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy later this month.
The left-back spot has long been a problematic position for the club, with the immature Emiliano Insua, injury-prone Fabio Aurelio and inadequate Paul Konchesky and Andrea Dossena all failing to make the berth their own since the departure of John Arne Riise in 2008.
Whilst 17-year-old Jack Robinson and an out-of-position Glen Johnson have admirably filled the role in the last six months, manager Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli will surely be keen to secure the services of a more experienced left-back.
After completing the signing of Jordan Henderson last week, Comolli said: “If a player is English, or British or has played in the Premier League, we’ll look at that over someone abroad”. French international Clichy appears to fit the bill.
Since Ashley Cole’s Arsenal exit in 2006, Clichy has been a mainstay of Arsenal’s backline, appearing in 153 out of a possible 190 Premier League matches. He also has vast experience of European football, having racked up 48 Champions League appearances since moving to the north London club in 2003.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
A move would probably be best for him and for Arsenal, because he stagnated there a long time ago – he’s no better now than when he broke through to take over from Ashley Cole!
For a full back with pace who plays in a team that dominates possession so much and plays pretty narrow up top, he should be delivering a lot more quality from out wide, but rarely can get the ball past the first man. I’m not sure whether it’s just complacency, or an actual lack of quality with him…