This is a mighty interesting update in Liverpool’s failed deal to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell…
The teenager was our primary target to bolster the position, but the two clubs couldn’t agree a fee and instead we’ve turned James Milner into a utility left-back and kept faithful with Alberto Moreno – the most spoken about defender in the country since last weekend.
Melissa Reddy and Dave Maddock discussed the Chilwell situation on an Anfield Wrap podcast, and added some interesting information to the table.
You can listen to the Anfield Wrap, and subscribe, here. It’s well worth it.
Here’s what they had to say:
Melissa Reddy (Goal): Leicester wanted £10m, Liverpool offered £5m+2m. But then Liverpool walked away from the deal, partly because they couldn’t agree on a fee with Leicester, but also because they feel the player didn’t show the requisite enthusiasm to put pressure on the Premier League champions to make his way to Anfield. But essentially in all this, Alberto Moreno is still a Liverpool starting left back.
Dave Maddock (Mirror) -Where do we start here? I’m pretty sure that with Chilwell there was more to it. I don’t think it was the fee, it wasn’t the fee. Liverpool would’ve paid the fee. I don’t even think it’s the player’s attitude as such. What I’ve been told, and I don’t think it’s that much of a secret, is that his dad’s a bit of a nightmare.
And that in the end, his dad who kind of acts as his agent and was making so many demands. And I think in the end Liverpool thought it just wasn’t worth it no matter how good he was. It just wasn’t worth inheriting something of such.. you know, I think they on balance decided that it wasn’t for them. Because of everything surrounding the deal and the package that came along. And you know, Jürgen Klopp doesn’t indulge difficult sort of personalities. And there was a suggestion, that people around him were difficult. i think that was the bottom line.
But as you say he wasn’t coming in as first choice anyway, like at Leicester, he wasn’t first choice there. Liverpool wanted him to come and develop and become this top player, which everybody thinks he can be and everybody still does. Which actually tells you, that Jürgen Klopp… he doesn’t hate – like nearly every Liverpool fan does at the moment – he actually has regard for Moreno. He does. He rates him. He rates his qualities. And he still thinks that with the right environment and the right coaching he can get the best out of him.
So there we have it.
The information, from Maddock particularly, shows there’s so much more to a transfer than meets the eye.
Chilwell is obviously talented (although in truth we haven’t seen much of him), but all things considered – Liverpool didn’t think a deal was merited – factoring in the price, his team and attitude.
Fans are crying out for a left-back, especially now we’re armed with the Benteke cash, but we just can’t see it happening.