It seems we're taking the task of replacing Lovren seriously – Klopp is not Guardiola and doesn't want to just plug the hole at CB with a combination of midfielders and full-backs. From a squad-building perspective it's also important to find another quality partner for VVD since Matip is approaching 30. So far we've been linked to 2 roughly £40M-rated CBs in Ben White and Ozan Kabak and a cheaper option in Aissa Mandi and it does sound like our interest is serious.
Ben White is particularly interesting – he is one of the best English CB prospects in years and someone who looks like he could actually be what John Stones was supposed to represent: a modern ball-playing CB and a defensive leader. Landing someone like him could set us up at this position for years and perhaps despite our financial uncertainty the club will consider such a purchase essential. However there is going to be fierce competition for him this season and as the month-old article below points out, there is one aspect of his game that gives our scouts pause. (As an aside, this is exactly the potential flaw people in the know see in Mandi, who is otherwise a well-rounded CB).
Anyway, now that our first signing of the season is done, addressing the CB and the wing-forward positions becomes the priority. I don't think anything will happen with Thiago unless Gini leaves.
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[...] And with Lovren’s time seemingly up, Leeds loanee White – an ever-present in the Championship for Marcelo Bielsa’s side since his season-long loan move last summer – has been identified as a strong option for Jurgen Klopp’s side. White has become an integral part of Bielsa’s defence at Leeds since arriving from the south coast, sparking reports that the two Premier League heavyweights were weighing up moves for the centre-back.
And while Brighton boss Graham Potter has stated that White’s future remains with the Seagulls, explaining they have no interest in selling him, The Athletic claimed back in February that scouts from Liverpool have watched the 22-year-old closely in recent weeks and are strongly considering a summer approach for his services. Those claims have since been substantiated by Football Insider, who claim Liverpool’s scouts have been ‘blown away’ by the form of the Leeds loanee and have been seriously impressed by his development since his switch to Elland Road.
Their scouting network – who all report in to sporting director Michael Edwards – are particularly impressed with White’s reading of the game, authority on the ball, his ability to carry the play forward and his tackling ability and acknowledge he has been a big part of Leeds’ success this season. However, the Liverpool talent spotters have identified a major flaw in White‘s physique which could yet prevent a deal from going through.
As per the report, one area of White’s game that he has not faired well in his aerial duals and Liverpool have expressed concerns that his 6ft frame might just not be quite big enough. They fear by central defensive standards, and in comparison to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Lovren, who are all 6ft 3in or taller, White is far from a colossal figure.
Even Van Dijk’s No 1 preferrred option Joe Gomez, stands at 6ft 2in and has a better success rate at defensive headers and clearances than White. Whether that is enough to dissuade Liverpool from making a move remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt Leeds would welcome the chance to make White’s move permanent.
White is contracted to Brighton until summer 2022 so would, in theory, be in no hurry to cash in on the defender, though much will depend on whether the player signs the reported contract extension the Seagulls are preparing for the defender at the end of the season. Leeds, of course, would have strong designs on signing White permanently were they to secure promotion to the Premier League and their prospects could be aided after the club’s owner, Italian Andrea Radrizzani, confirmed for the first time that QSI were considering an investment into United.
Ben White is particularly interesting – he is one of the best English CB prospects in years and someone who looks like he could actually be what John Stones was supposed to represent: a modern ball-playing CB and a defensive leader. Landing someone like him could set us up at this position for years and perhaps despite our financial uncertainty the club will consider such a purchase essential. However there is going to be fierce competition for him this season and as the month-old article below points out, there is one aspect of his game that gives our scouts pause. (As an aside, this is exactly the potential flaw people in the know see in Mandi, who is otherwise a well-rounded CB).
Anyway, now that our first signing of the season is done, addressing the CB and the wing-forward positions becomes the priority. I don't think anything will happen with Thiago unless Gini leaves.
======================
[...] And with Lovren’s time seemingly up, Leeds loanee White – an ever-present in the Championship for Marcelo Bielsa’s side since his season-long loan move last summer – has been identified as a strong option for Jurgen Klopp’s side. White has become an integral part of Bielsa’s defence at Leeds since arriving from the south coast, sparking reports that the two Premier League heavyweights were weighing up moves for the centre-back.
And while Brighton boss Graham Potter has stated that White’s future remains with the Seagulls, explaining they have no interest in selling him, The Athletic claimed back in February that scouts from Liverpool have watched the 22-year-old closely in recent weeks and are strongly considering a summer approach for his services. Those claims have since been substantiated by Football Insider, who claim Liverpool’s scouts have been ‘blown away’ by the form of the Leeds loanee and have been seriously impressed by his development since his switch to Elland Road.
Their scouting network – who all report in to sporting director Michael Edwards – are particularly impressed with White’s reading of the game, authority on the ball, his ability to carry the play forward and his tackling ability and acknowledge he has been a big part of Leeds’ success this season. However, the Liverpool talent spotters have identified a major flaw in White‘s physique which could yet prevent a deal from going through.
As per the report, one area of White’s game that he has not faired well in his aerial duals and Liverpool have expressed concerns that his 6ft frame might just not be quite big enough. They fear by central defensive standards, and in comparison to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Lovren, who are all 6ft 3in or taller, White is far from a colossal figure.
Even Van Dijk’s No 1 preferrred option Joe Gomez, stands at 6ft 2in and has a better success rate at defensive headers and clearances than White. Whether that is enough to dissuade Liverpool from making a move remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt Leeds would welcome the chance to make White’s move permanent.
White is contracted to Brighton until summer 2022 so would, in theory, be in no hurry to cash in on the defender, though much will depend on whether the player signs the reported contract extension the Seagulls are preparing for the defender at the end of the season. Leeds, of course, would have strong designs on signing White permanently were they to secure promotion to the Premier League and their prospects could be aided after the club’s owner, Italian Andrea Radrizzani, confirmed for the first time that QSI were considering an investment into United.
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