Liverpool announced today that they have agreed a fee for Newcastle left back Jose Enrique. The Reds have been linked with the player for a fair few months and it is good to see that they have finally got their man.
A fee of between £5.5million and £6million is said to be what the Reds have paid for the 25 year old, depending on what report you read, and it looks a pretty good deal, considering Manchester City paid Arsenal £7million for a 25 year old in Gael Clichy, who also only had a year left on his contract, like the Magpies full back.
It has been one of the Reds primary aims to acquire a left back this summer, and yet it has taken until within 2 days of the start of the season to get a new face in. It was previously reported that Kenny Dalglish wasn’t convinced by Enrique’s defensive abilities, but looking at the reported fee agreed, it looks like there has been a stand-off between the two clubs in regards to price.
It looks as if Newcastle were looking for a fee north of £10million, something the Reds refused to pay considering the length of contract that was remaining on Enrique’s deal. The Magpies looked to have finally caved in on the asking price though, realising that nobody would pay more for the player, especially with the player refusing to sign a new contract.
Now with Enrique on the brink of moving to Anfield, we must ask what we will be getting from him. The stand out statistics from Enrique’s performances last season come very much in the attacking third. He delivered 132 crosses last season with an accuracy of 23% while his ability to dribble with the ball makes him a stand out performer among left backs with 65 successful dribbles, at an average of two a game. He has exceptional pace, good ball control, and the ability to provide a cross. Attributes that somebody like Andy Carroll will know all to well from his time playing alongside Enrique at Newcastle, and a partnership which could reap its rewards again at Liverpool.
Jose is a good player and you will get him to cheap in allot of NUFC fans opinions. Regarding his skills, you might want to note that very little comes out of his attacks though. He dosnt have to many assists to his name and it was certainly not him but Barton who delivered for big AC when he was in toon. He also lose the ball to often when he have gone forward but that is made up for by his pace and strenght since he manage to win allot of those balls back himself. There is also no one in the EPL who can outrun him, so you wont be beaten by pace on the left, he can be tricked however, as shown with Sturridge last year where he was left completly stranded.
very good player will be a big miss for the toon
big strong and quick can be a bit over confident but well worth the money by the way the toon didnt cave in over price but needed to sell a unhappy player to give us time to bring a replacement in
Good defender …achiles heal… trying to overplay the ball/showboat in dangerous areas!
If Liverpool want a good central defender then they should look no further than Gary Cahill. But they better get in quick before their rivals Arsenal get in first. One thing that Arsenal can offer that Liverpool cant this season is European football and this may appeal to players like Cahill. Another thing is if they do sign someone like Cahill who do they get rid of? I know Jamie Carragher is getting on a bit but he is still in pretty good shape and would still make the team if it was me in charge.
I haven’t seen much of Enrique but I like what I’ve heard about him. All serious teams need two class players fighting for every position and now we have that at left back for the first time in over a decade. Aurelio has always been a class act imo but his injury record is terrible !!
he has got to be the best left back we have had in over a decade, apart from aurelio we have had a procession of duds in this position, opponants automatically played on this weakness. a classy centre half and we really could win the league. but the centre backs should be shielded much more with our midfield and full backs – kelly – enrique.
Riise?
Hi guys. Newcastle fan here. You’ve signed a superb player. Enrique I’d the best left back we’ve had in 20 years. Quick, strong, committed. All in all a superb plater. Sad to see him leave. He’ll become a Spanish international with a good season for you. Wish him all the best. Only wish we could have matched his ambition. Better player than Carroll for a seventh of the price! (and I like Caroll!)
As a newcastle fan I can say that you have done very well indeed here. Considering the rediculous money Liverpool have been spending on unproven, one season wonders you have actully got a class player here for very little money considering what he is probably worth and certainly better than Clichy (who has pace and not much else in my opinion). You mention pace and control but really it is the sheer STRENGTH and power of enrique that will impress you most, he is a true defender not a winger converted into a defender. I am so sad that he is leaving because he is the best LB I have ever seen at Newcastle and I think we are in big trouble if we don’t get Erik Pieters. To the Liverpool fans who say Enrique is flakey and not as good as…. Insua!!! I say wait, watch and you will soon realise Enrique is the best LB Liverpool has had since at least Riise and probably better to be honest! Well done and you are spending bucketloads but as a Newcastle fan I can tell you it is risky business and no offense but Liverpool arn’t a Euro club anymore.
Hi all,Newcastle fan here,any doubts about Enrique watch this,fooking gutted he’s left.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw3TLhhO7v8
As a season ticket holder at newcastle for over 30 years i have never seen a left back as good as jose. He is top drawer and liverpool fans will be delighted with him once he gets going i promise you. He was without doubt our star man and an absolute steal at that price, a class way above carrol who we ripped your eyes out! Good look jose you will be sadly missed.
You’re getting the best left back in PL bar none. He’s fast. He’s strong. totally unfazed by the fast wingers – cos he’s as fast.
He’s as good as AshCole which makes him one of the best in the world.
am very sad to see him go, almost as sad as losing Carroll.
we may end up in the championship again (sic). We’ll have no money to spend. at least Cashley will have piles.
I wish you guys well and would love to see Toon and Pool at the top. I dream xx
Big Respect to all the toon army leaving comments, i sure hope he’s half as good as you guys have said….
Good luck for the season ahead!