Lucas Going Nowhere, or is he?
Recent reports suggest long time Liverpool servant Lucas Leiva is to remain at the club. This following intense speculation of a move to Galatasaray throughout close season. In fact, pretty every close season since he’s been at the club.
According to Talksport, Lucas’ agent claims Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp put a block on the move. The reason apparently, is because of the number of defensive players currently out injured.
I for one would be more than happy to have the Brazilian remain at the club. Especially in the light of the weekends performance. Let’s face it, winning 4-3 at the Emirates stadium is no mean feat. However, throwing away a 3-goal lead in a matter of minutes is equally impressive for all the wrong reasons.
Liverpool were crying out for a player like Lucas on Sunday. Unfortunately his currently being injured meant Jordan Henderson took up the defensive midfield duties. The club captain put in a reasonable performance but I wouldn’t say it was more than that. The only other (actually more sensible) option would be Emre Can who started on the bench against Arsenal.
Each day the club is linked to attacking midfielder after attacking midfielder, when the team’s problems lay further back. The kind of player Lucas is, and the kind of quality he brings is a must-have for any side wanting success. Chelsea have N’Golo Kante. Manchester United have Juan Mata. Real Madrid have Casemiro. Barcelona have Sergio Busquets. The list goes on. There’s a reason why the 29 year-old has survived through five managers at the club! Yet, Liverpool look to offload arguably one of their best performers over the last decade, without a suitable replacement. Or have they?
The very same Talksport, on Monday reported the contrary. Word comes out of Italy that Liverpool have made a bid for Chilean midfielder Gary Medel. Even a swap has been suggested between the two. Rumour has it Lucas wants regular first team football. This is what the fans are fed. Probably the truth is that he just wants a club that values him and doesn’t look to sell him every year! In my opinion, this is why he’s often open to a move.
Lucas can doubtless feature in cup games and of course when inevitable injuries occur to first team regulars. Given the injury record of the players since Klopp’s arrival, this may be quite frequent. Be it in front of the defence or at the centre of it. I wouldn’t describe Lucas a utility player. He’s much more than that. Given the club’s insistence of purchasing “firepower”, retaining some defensive savvy shouldn’t do any harm.
From what I can gather, Medel is a very similar player to Lucas, statistically better according to Squawka. That’s on the face of it. When you delve into the defensive stats (5.41 for Lucas v 3.18 Medel) and tackles won (3.15 v 1.37), interceptions (1.93 v 1.80) etc. The Brazilian remains a better option in this position. No wonder Inter Milan are willing to swap! Medel is simply more of a Wijnaldum/Milner/Henderson/Grujic type player, of which there are many at Liverpool FC already.
Overall, it looks to me, like Liverpool will be making a (yet another) mistake in selling Lucas. Klopp is making the same realisation as Rogers, Hodgson et al. When it comes down to it, you just can’t keep a good man down and in this 29 year-old Brazilian, is exactly that.
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