At the start of the summer, what were we hoping for from the summer transfer window?
Realistically, we would have been hoping for reinforcements up front, a suitable replacement for Steven Gerrard and a new right-back, although some supporters probably expected even less.
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However, much to our very pleasant surprise, the deals have been flying in. Five of them have been confirmed already and a sixth, for Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne, looks to be just around the corner (via BBC Sport). If the rumours about Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca (via the Echo) also prove true then we’ll be looking very strong indeed.
So if we were to be greedy, what more would we ask for? One position that does need strengthening, albeit slightly less urgently, is at left-back. Alberto Moreno had a decent first season there. But with Jose Enrique out of favour and Jon Flanagan still injured, a suitable rival for the Spaniard’s spot in the side would not go amiss.
Here are the five best candidates for the role that we have spotted:
Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven)
The Dutchman holds the record for being the youngest player to ever feature at a European Championships, having gone to the 2012 tournament in Ukraine and Poland as an 18-year-old. He has since acquired 15 caps and established himself as a regular as PSV, playing more than 100 games and winning the league for the first time last season. His qualities include his passing, crossing and set pieces. He loves to get forward from the back and is more than capable of featuring in a wing-back role, something which Moreno has appeared to struggle with.
Alex Sandro (FC Porto)
Sandro arrived at Porto from Santos along with international teammate Danilo – who has recently moved to Real Madrid – in 2011. His progress has been steady, although not as spectacular as Danilo’s, and he’s now approaching 100 league games for the Portuguese giants. He’s 24, so should be nearing the peak of his powers, and might need a move to a major European league to prove that he deserves more than the six caps he has acquired for Brazil thus far. His excellent positional awareness rarely sees him get caught out by opposition forwards.
Lucas Digne (Paris Saint Germain)
This 21-year-old has only recently began to make an impact in the PSG team, having joined the French champions from Lille in 2013. He’s had to make do with just 29 Ligue 1 appearances thus far and rumour has it that he good be growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities (via the Daily Express). The eight-time France international has rarely let down club or country when has been given his chance. His concentration levels are excellent and he’s always appeared calm under pressure, passing the ball out of defence in the same way that Liverpool favour.
Samuel Umtiti (Lyon)
Another youngster impressing in the French league. This powerful 21-year-old, who is also capable of playing as a centre-back, has already made 100 league appearances for Lyon – helping them seal a return to Champions League football earlier this year. The French youth-team international, who is one of the many products of Lyon’s youth academy currently starring in the senior side, is very good with the ball at his feet and plays in a style that is not dissimilar to that of countryman Mamadou Sakho. His pass success rate – more than 85% last year – is excellent.
Filipe Luis (Chelsea)
A little more than twelve months ago, the Brazilian was playing in the Champions League final with Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately for him, his chances have been extremely limited at Stamford Bridge, with Jose Mourinho regularly preferring Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back. He made just 13 Premier League appearances during the Blues title winning season and could well be tempted by an offer of more regular first-team football. We’d certainly benefit from the 29-year-old’s vast amount of experience and he’d be a good mentor, as well as rival, for Moreno.
