Liverpool: 10 players Rodgers should consider signing this month
As the Brendan Rodgers era is nearing the start of its first Premier League season, it is simultaneously edging closer to the end of the summer transfer window, and the chance for Rodgers to sign new players has to be expedited.
The transfer failings of the last regime are well documented. While the players themselves are not necessarily terrible, their huge transfer fees represent terrible business for LFC. As a consequence Rodgers is forced to recruit new players on a budget.
Fabio Borini being the only player brought in so far, for a modest £10 million. A decent bit of business for a player who is only 21 and emerging into the Italian national team.
However, here are the top 10 bargains that Rodgers should consider in order to improve the Reds this summer.
1. Isco - Malaga, attacking midfielder, 20
Santi Cazorla got most of the plaudits for helping Malaga qualify for the Champions League, but Isco is very much a huge piece of the Malaga team.
Voted the most talented player of his generation by fellow Spanish player, Isco is a hugely talented attacking midfielder. He has bags of skill, blistering pace and an eye for goal. Isco also loves to dribble around defenders for fun, coinciding with what Rodgers likes in his wide men.
He can play on the wings or through the middle and would be able to slot into the front three of the Rodgers' system.
Isco is still very young but has great potential. Malaga are in serious financial difficulties and 5-7 million euros should be enough to seal the deal.
2. Giuseppe Rossi –Villarreal, Striker, 25
We all know what he is capable of; a proven goalscorer. An extremely talented striker and an established Italian international. It would be great to see him possibly link up with Borini in the Liverpool red.
However Rossi endured a nightmare season; relegated with Villarreal, and suffering back-to-back ACL tears.
With Villarreal now desperate for salary relief, they are looking to offload Rossi and he could be ours for about £10 million.
3. Adam Johnson – Manchester City, attacking midfielder, 25
On the cusp of being in the England team, he always seems to just miss out on the major tournaments. Johnson has tremendous qualities: he is quick, can dribble, has an eye for a killer pass and can score regularly.
Johnson would absolutely be a starter in the LFC front three, most likely cutting in from the right onto his strong left foot.
Mancini seems to be annoyed with Johnson’s lack of desire to fulfill his potential, and is ready to let him leave the champions. Possibly a steal for a little more than £10 million.
4. Axel Witsel – Benfica, midfielder, 23
Witsel has become well-known through his impressive displays during Benfica’s Champions League run last year, but he has been tipped for big things for a while now. Disciplinary problems and nasty challenges plagued the beginning of his career, but he is on the straight and narrow now.
Capable of putting in a tackle, while retaining a great passing range, and an eye for the goal, Witsel can play either in the middle, or more advanced. Real Madrid are rumored to be watching him, but he is available for about £10 million.
5. Yanga-Mbiwa – Montpellier, center-back, 23
Mbiwa led the French champions Montpellier in defence and was one of their three key players, along with Giroud and Belhanda, to help the club steal the championship over the very wealthy PSG.
He boasts a huge body and huge potential. If Agger were to be sold, then Mbiwa represents great value with an eye to the future. Five years from now the potential center-back pairing of any of Skrtel, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coates or Kelly would be formidable.
With one year left on his contract, and the player wanting a move, he too is available for £10 million.
6. Mathieu Debuchy – Lille, right back, 27
Right back is not a huge weakness in the Liverpool roster, with Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly covering the position, But with Kelly’s possible evolution into a center-back and Johnson’s knack of picking up injuries, Debuchy could be a great option.
He is in his prime at 27 and he's a French international who could be available for around five million euros. Newcastle are in looking at him, but are stalling. Plenty of time for Liverpool to steal the show.
7. Bruno Soriano– Villarreal, defensive midfielder, 28
Another Villarreal player, Bruno is a great ball winner in the heart of the midfield with a nice range of passing. Comfortable with the ball at his feet; very much in the Spanish mold. He would be great as cover for Lucas as Spearing is just not good enough. About 5-7 million euros should be enough.
8. Jacob Blaszczykowski – Dortmund, wide midfielder, 26
A talented left-sided midfield player, Blaszczykowski was one of the main reasons BvB have claimed back-to-back Bundesliga titles and that league is hard to win.
He has one year left on his contract at Dortmund and the player has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League. He even admitted Liverpool was his preferred destination. Blaszczykowski would be available for about 10 million euros. I can't see too many Reds opting to get his name on the back of their shirts though!
9. Emmanuel Adebayor – Manchester City, striker, 28
We all have seen what Adebayor can bring to a side. Pace, hold up play, poacher ability, involving teammates and intelligent runs. We have also seen that he can bring instability, but during his stay at the last two clubs he has been on his best behavior.
He is a proven goalscorer and had a great season with Tottenham. I am not saying he would be first choice, but great back up at striker.
Man City need to get rid of him from their salary. I think he'd be available for about four million euros but he'd need to take a huge pay cut to come here.
10. Kevin Mirallas – Olympiacos, forward, 24
Mirallas can operate in any of the forward three positions. He has tons of pace and is often described as the Belgian Ronaldo. He scored 20 goals in just 25 league appearances to encourage such comparisons to CR7. Great ability and available for about 10 million euros.
Well that's the 10 players who I believe Brendan Rodgers should be looking at this month before the transfer window slams shut. Obviously he won't be able to bring them all in, he may not even sign any of them, but we could definitely do with some more fresh faces around Anfield.
However, if you were in our manager's position, who would you like to sign before September? What area of the pitch do you believe needs strengthening? Whatever your views we'd love to hear from you.
Article by Dave Disciascio
