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Where do you go, my Neco? Where do you go?

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LeTallecWiz

Doos
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Echo is saying he knows he won't play much next year, and the club is open to selling him.
Expecting around 10 million quid.
Soton were interested in a loan in the last transfer window, and there's been interest from Leeds and Villa ...
If he goes, we need a back up RB ... TAA will miss games.
 
10M in the same way we were gonna get 20M for Harry Wilson?

Good luck on loan Neco.

I think here we have a better chance - he's young, already involved in Wales' int'l set up, comes up with goals and there's not enough on him to really know how good/bad he is (unlike with Wilson, where there's a ton available about him already).
 
Athletic saying we wil sanction a deal. Few PL clubs interested.

Also that we don't intend to sign a replacement. Gomez, Milner and Conor Bradley to fill in behind Trent.
 
Athletic saying we wil sanction a deal. Few PL clubs interested.

Also that we don't intend to sign a replacement. Gomez, Milner and Conor Bradley to fill in behind Trent.

Well, if that's the case, I'll be livid. It's one of the most important positions in our team. Those options are what you should be exploring after your actual backup has a problem.
 
Honestly, and I hate to say it...
Neco is a bit shit

I disagree. He's looked decent defensively when he's played but anybody's attacking output is going to look very poor when compared to TAA. There's not another right back in the league that could fill the role in the way he does for us.
 
I disagree. He's looked decent defensively when he's played but anybody's attacking output is going to look very poor when compared to TAA. There's not another right back in the league that could fill the role in the way he does for us.
Yeah same. Any fullback cover would cost more than we sell Williams for, but he wants to play every week so it makes sense. Would still prefer to sell with a buyback option
 
I disagree. He's looked decent defensively when he's played but anybody's attacking output is going to look very poor when compared to TAA. There's not another right back in the league that could fill the role in the way he does for us.

Yeah same. Any fullback cover would cost more than we sell Williams for, but he wants to play every week so it makes sense. Would still prefer to sell with a buyback option

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree but I haven't been that impressed by his defending, decision making or attacking. But most of all, he isn't that quick.
I know that he's an academy product and we've all got a soft spot for those kids, but he's really not that good in comparison to other right backs in his age.
For instance, Max Aarons is better and so is Lamptey.
 
That's the thing that stands out about Neco, he just doesn't have the pace to cope with wingers at the highest level. And you can't hide a lack of pace at fullback.
 
Athletic saying we wil sanction a deal. Few PL clubs interested.

Also that we don't intend to sign a replacement. Gomez, Milner and Conor Bradley to fill in behind Trent.

Lol I can’t wait for the new season.
 
About time we sign prospect from the lower league (like when we signed Gomez from Charlton). Leicester picked up James Justin for less than £8m.

Conor Bradley is just 17 years old......

Who is Conor Bradley? All you need to know about Liverpool star named in the Northern Ireland squad
[article]

Conor Bradley is one of two new faces in the Northern Ireland squad for next week's friendly games against Malta and the Ukraine.

So just who is he? Here's a look at the Tyrone teenager who made headlines when he signed a three-year professional contract at Liverpool last summer.

Who is Conor Bradley?
Age: 17. He was born on July 9, 2003

Hometown: Castlederg, County Tyrone

Club history: Bradley began his football career with his local Castlederg club St Patrick's, whom he joined aged nine. He then moved on to Dungannon United Youth, who have a track record of producing talent capable of moving into professional football, such as Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn. It was from there he joined Liverpool on an initial scholarship deal in summer 2019.

Position: Bradley has made a home at right-back for Liverpool's Under 18s although before moving across the Irish Sea, he was recognised more as a flying right winger.

International experience: Bradley was handed his senior international debut on May 30, 2021, when he came off the bench to replace Stuart Dallas in a friendly win over Malta as part of Ian Baraclough's 'fast-tracking' scheme. He had previously only played for Northern Ireland up to Under 17 level but captained Northern Ireland U16s to Victory Shield success in 2018. Before leaving for Liverpool, he was training three times a week with the Club NI set-up, which, as the IFA's former Elite Performance Director Jim Magilton has explained, helped prepare him for life as a pro. "We've exposed the guys to these unbelievable opportunities in which they're playing against the top kids and top teams in Europe," he said. "They've all had experiences of the levels that are needed. We have to be hard on them because the best will always rise and that's what we've found."

How Bradley arrived on the Liverpool radar: His signing is a feather in the cap of the Liverpool development centre in Northern Ireland, based in Stormont. It was founded in 2008 and Bradley first came through the gates back in 2012. That was after IFA Primary School Coach Steafan Deery alerted club scout Cliff Ferguson to his potential, allowing development centre head coach Stefan Seaton to nurture the talent. In April 2016, he went on a club tour to Germany and was voted Players' Player of the Tour, which alerted the staff at Kirkby to his potential.

Interest from elsewhere: Bradley had Chelsea, Manchester United and Southampton all sniffing around before he moved to Liverpool in 2019, even going on trial to both United and the Saints. However, he was never going to turn down the Reds, and not just because of his boyhood loyalty to the club. "It wasn't just because I support them, it was because they're a real family club and that's something we all really appreciate," he said. "They're also keen on the education side of it, which is very important to me."

Making the grade with the U18s: Bradley made his club debut in an Under 18 friendly against Wrexham in September 2019. His competitive bow came only 10 days later as a 76th minute substitute against Manchester City in the U18 Premier League. His first goal arrived against West Brom in November, converting a first-time finish after being played through by Leighton Clarkson. That earned him a first start in a 3-2 win over Southampton. He also netted against Tottenham and head in a late winner against Stoke. By the time the season halted in March, he had started four of the last five U18 Premier League fixtures.



Moving on up: Bradley is clearly highly thought of at Kirkby, that much was made clear when he was handed a three-year deal in the summer of 2020, but it wasn't the first sign we've had that he was on the right path to progress. That came the previous December, when he did enough to convince then Under 23 coach Neil Critchley to hand him his Under 23 debut, starting in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Premier League 2 alongside the likes of Curtis Jones. There was also to be a European debut as came off the bench for the Under 23s against PSG later that month. In the 20/21 season, he made 16 appearances for the U23s, rubberstamping his spot as a regular in the team and pushing on towards the ultimate goal.

First team exposure: Bradley was spotted training with the senior Liverpool squad in September 2020, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. In footage the club released by LFCTV, Bradley could be seen running drills with the team, as his fellow Under 23 players Leighton Clarkson and Remi Savage also took part along with the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott; Academy players who have already made their first-team bows.

What sort of player is he? As a natural winger, Bradley is at his best when on the attack with space to run into, which suits Jurgen Klopp's attacking system that relies on both full-backs pushing on and offering a threat. As important as his ability though, according to scout Ferguson, are his intelligence and attitude.

"Where I maybe took Conor for granted is tactically. He's excellent. He takes information on board and makes himself a better player," said Ferguson. "He's really, really good that way. He must be a manager's dream because he does everything and fulfils his role to the letter.

"The player's talent gets them to Liverpool, that's a given, but the rest is down to attitude and Conor's will to win stood out even at nine years old. That's the best thing for me. He's not happy unless you're really pushing him."


Breaking the Northern Ireland hoodoo: Bradley has high hopes. He has his sights set on reaching the first team of the world champions. If he can manage to fulfil that dream, he will become the first Northern Irishman to play a competitive game for the Reds' senior side since Sammy Smyth in 1954. In that time, as many have 24 NI natives have played for Manchester United but the likes of Cliff Ferguson and Stefan Seaton are determined to begin to even that score.

International call-up: On May 26, 2021, Bradley was named as one of two new faces in the senior Northern Ireland squad, joining fellow teenager Sam McClelland.

[/article]
 
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There's a county Tyrone?
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Well, if that's the case, I'll be livid. It's one of the most important positions in our team. Those options are what you should be exploring after your actual backup has a problem.
Trent is crucial to how we play, but I don't think Neco was ever an effective backup. I know he's young, but he was always targeted defensively whenever he played, and was unbalanced going forward. Not my favourite prospect. I think Hoever was actually the much better prospect. If Neco goes for a tidy sum, I won't mind it tbh.

As far as a backup is concerned, my thoughts have always been that you can't have specialised backups at RB and LB when your first choice guys in those positions are literally the best in the world. Barring serious injury, those backups are never going to play. The ideal situation is to get someone who can cover multiple positions (say an Arbeloa type who covers both FB positions). I'd suggested Hysaj earlier who's available on a free this summer, but it seems he's close to signing for Lazio.

As it happens, I think if Trent is unavailable, we'll simply play Milner at RB. I'd play him there ahead of Neco at any rate. Milner doesn't have the legs to play full-back for an entire season, but he replicates Trent's attacking contribution at RB better than anyone else in the squad.

Another option worth considering is actually Ox at RB. I know he won't like it, but I think he might make more sense as an attacking full-back than in midfield anymore. Wenger certainly thought so.

Though I agree, it will be seriously concerning if Trent is out for a lengthy period of time.
 
Trent is crucial to how we play, but I don't think Neco was ever an effective backup. I know he's young, but he was always targeted defensively whenever he played, and was unbalanced going forward. Not my favourite prospect. I think Hoever was actually the much better prospect. If Neco goes for a tidy sum, I won't mind it tbh.

As far as a backup is concerned, my thoughts have always been that you can't have specialised backups at RB and LB when your first choice guys in those positions are literally the best in the world. Barring serious injury, those backups are never going to play. The ideal situation is to get someone who can cover multiple positions (say an Arbeloa type who covers both FB positions). I'd suggested Hysaj earlier who's available on a free this summer, but it seems he's close to signing for Lazio.

As it happens, I think if Trent is unavailable, we'll simply play Milner at RB. I'd play him there ahead of Neco at any rate. Milner doesn't have the legs to play full-back for an entire season, but he replicates Trent's attacking contribution at RB better than anyone else in the squad.

Another option worth considering is actually Ox at RB. I know he won't like it, but I think he might make more sense as an attacking full-back than in midfield anymore. Wenger certainly thought so.

Though I agree, it will be seriously concerning if Trent is out for a lengthy period of time.

I think Milner's years will eventually catch up with him, despite his heroic fitness, and he should be a nice option in the mix as a utility player. I agree, a utility player like Milner of a few years ago is a good buy.

While Milner can do good work at RB in an advanced position, I don't think he'll be able to get there without even more defensive liability down that side.
 
Sounds like we would prefer to keep him but he wants to leave. That's fair enough I guess, as he wants regular games and is unlikely to get them at Liverpool.

I only hope that we either make a decent bit of money out of the whole deal or end up with a better player as a replacement. Ideally both.
 
He struggled against Italy. Chiesa was going past him at will. He hadn't pushed on with us at all. He has alot of heart but it looks like he has reached his ceiling somewhat in terms of his athletism and his defensive ability. He offers little going forward as well. He was always seen as someone who is willing to learn and willing to listen, but his limitations are bare for all to see.

10m will be a great return for an average player.
 
Whatever potential he has he’s not going to realize here so makes sense for him to move on on both sides.

I’m not seeing any great solutions for the backup role in the squad though.
 
I still believe Neco will become a top-quality full-back, whether it's here or elsewhere. I trust Klopp's eye in players and he clearly saw something in Neco to give him all these chances last season – in hindsight it was clearly too early for him, but I believe at some point he will put it together. Full-backs don't necessarily need blinding pace to be effective; I think with time he will become a better 1 on 1 defender and more effective in supporting the attack. The prospect of selling someone like Neco to raise a few millions seems like short-term thinking to me; I hope we're not that desperate for money.
 
I still believe Neco will become a top-quality full-back, whether it's here or elsewhere. I trust Klopp's eye in players and he clearly saw something in Neco to give him all these chances last season – in hindsight it was clearly too early for him, but I believe at some point he will put it together. Full-backs don't necessarily need blinding pace to be effective; I think with time he will become a better 1 on 1 defender and more effective in supporting the attack. The prospect of selling someone like Neco to raise a few millions seems like short-term thinking to me; I hope we're not that desperate for money.

I rarely disagree with your posts but this is one post where I have to. I think Klopp gave him chances due to the lack of options. He is a good player but I think his ceiling is a lower-level premier league club. Martin Kelly showed more promise and he is now at Crystal Palace. He may put it together as you said but that will require constant game time for a season or two and as of now he has not shown he is worthy of top-level team investing time in him as a project.

And yes, I think we are that desperate for money.
 
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