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Iago Aspas - deal confirmed

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Glen C

Glen C

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Go for Iago: Liverpool set to cherry-pick Aspas from relegation-bound Spaniards Celta Vigo

22 May 2013 22:30
Reds make offer to versatile forward whose €10m release clause will be slashed by almost a third if his club drop out of La Liga


Iago-Aspas-1867806.jpg
Mersey dash: Aspas is being offered a fresh start at Liverpool
Getty
Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal to bring Spanish striker Iago Aspas to Anfield this summer.
The Celta Vigo forward was wanted by Chelsea and Reading in January, but only the relegation-bound Royals made an official bid and Celta refused to sell their man for less than his €10million release clause.
However, with rock-bottom Celta now looking set for relegation from La Liga, the Anfield giants want to take advantage of his clause dropping to €7m and have offered him a £45,000-a-week deal.
The 25-year-old, who has been linked with Swansea recently, has been a rare shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for Celta, scoring 11 goals and setting up six more.
The 5ft 9in tall Aspas can play off the front-line or in a wider position, and would slot neatly into Brendan Rodgers' mobile attacking trio.

found a youtube
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MylOqNqg8A
 
Aspas, Celta’s monster and Messi
Love him or hate him, it’s hard to take your eyes off Iago Aspas. David Cartlidge looks at one of La Liga's most divisive figures.

Every now and then one of those players that pushes the gap between opposing fans further apart comes along. When that player is with you, he’s the greatest asset your club has. When he’s against you, he’s the most irritating individual in football.
In this case, the player in question is Iago Aspas of Celta Vigo.
Stroll down to Balaidos these days and one name is sung louder than all the others, is on the back of more replica shirts than all the others and is talked about more than all the others. It’s of course the 25-year-old Aspas, having his debut season in Spain’s Primera Division.
The thing with him is, there is lots to admire. He’s a hard worker who runs himself into the ground for the team, and plays with the same energy and spirit in the 90th minute that he did in the first. Aspas though, is no headless chicken. He’s one of the most decisive players in Spain right now, creating a high volume of chances for his teammates and weighing in with two assists.
After all, though, he is a striker and is required to score goals - with five so far from 12 appearances - the Galician is doing what’s asked. So much so, the club handed him a new deal at the start of September until 2017 - it not only rewarded the player but warned off prying eyes, of which there are plenty.
Speaking to a scout the other week, conversation turned to the Celta striker, and we both made the same observation. Aspas’ approach was reminiscent to that of David Villa while plugging away with Real Zaragoza. The now Barcelona man was often pigeon-holed as a No 9, but his game was so unique it was naïve to call him just that.
It applies to Aspas too - he works the channels and looks to cut inside on his opponent but also operates on the last defender’s shoulder. Off the ball he shuts down opponents too, making life difficult when moving out of defence - it’s as if Aspas has studied Villa’s every move. He’s a striker, but, well, not.
A few things separate them, and one thing does more than most. Aspas is an irritant who likes to run his mouth, appeal for everything, and snap at ankles. This was apparent this past weekend, when despite having an impressive game against Real Mallorca, Aspas was hauled off by Coach Paco Herrera.
The decision was met with fury by Balaidos, who although have huge respect for Herrera, were saddened to see their idol removed. “It was one of those difficult times he has every now and then. I know him, and I did it to protect him - but above all the team,” explained the Coach. Aspas was already on a yellow, and had several run-ins with Mallorca players and more dangerously the officials.
Herrera couldn’t just speak ill of his Jekyll and Hyde striker though, and as swift as the criticism came so did the praise. When asked if he was there Lionel Messi, as many suggest, Herrera didn't hesitate. “For us, he is.” In one Press conference, he spoke of Aspas the monster, and Aspas the Messi.
As the figure of Aspas walked towards the bench, he kicked a packet of bottles, mumbled some expletives and gestured his disapproval. The fans saw all this, but still sang his name: “Iago Aspas, lo, lo, lo!”
Not only is he their Messi, but he’s actually one of them out there and that’s more important than anything. As long as he’s on that field, Celta fans know they have a chance. He’ll scrap, pull, shout but score goals too. And as much as they’ll resist to admit it, opposing fans would love him in their team too.

http://www.football-espana.net/26240/aspas-celta’s-monster-and-messi
 
I have not seen him play before so I can't judge him. But I'm just a bit perplexed at reading (esp. on Twitter) how some have already written players like him off as a 1 season wonder etc, just because he's not as well known and plays for a team facing relegation.

Soldado moved to Valencia on the back of 2 seasons with Getafe. Villa was 24 when he moved to Valencia, after good spells at Sporting Gijon followed by Real Zaragoza. Negredo was 23 when he went to Sevilla after a couple of good seasons with Almeria. (And of those clubs mentioned, all coincidentally flirted with relegation at some stage during the respective player's spell there.)

This Aspas guy has 11 goals and 6 assists in 32 appearances this season, his 1st in La Liga - that's playing a part in 50% (34) of Celta's league goals! In Segunda Liga last season, he has 23 goals in 28 starts (35 apps) - 28% of their league goals. That's 2 good seasons in my opinion. He has also shown that he can adapt to a higher level of football, while carrying the burden and raising up to the challenge of leading the club's charge (against relegation, in this case).

To re-iterate, I'm not advocating signing this guy. But to write him off or doubt him, especially if we haven't seen enough of him, sounds shallow.
 
Well said, Binny. He sounds and plays like a nutter we know. With pace, technical ability and the versatility to play all attacking positions, and at the reported transfer fee, he could be another Sturridge/Coutinho type signing.
 
Iago Aspas has been linked with a €7m move to Anfield this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his side and push for a Champions League place next season. But what kind of player is he? Our La Liga expert David Cartlidge reveals all.

Liverpool fans are used to having a player in Luis Suarez that so ferociously divides opinion. They’ve taken to the Uruguayan as one of their own, irrelevant of the opinions Suarez’s detractors hold.

It will make fascinating viewing then, if another contentious character in Iago Aspas turns out for them.

Aspas too, is of that 'love to have him on your team, hate to play against him' mould. He also happens to be a very, very good footballer.

The 25-year-old plays each game like it’s his last, getting in the faces of opponents and going to the ends of the earth for his team. He’s energy, enthusiasm, and endeavour. But he’s also skill and sublime.

He was born in Moana, a town of just 20,000 in Galician. At school he was a terror too, constantly distracted in lessons with only focus on football.

Asked what his favourite moment as a Celta fan was he didn’t mention a goal, or assist, he recalled when Wagner infamously booted Diego Tristan in the air during a Galician derby.

It was in 2010/2011 that he first rose to prominence, scoring 23 goals in 35 games as Celta pushed towards a return to Spain’s top flight.

He played as a lone striker in the Segunda that season, working in tandem with the various support acts he was handed. His coach at the time was a certain ex-Liverpool man in Paco Herrera, part of that glorious Champions League victory steered by Rafa Benitez.

Herrera had to handle Aspas with care, for he was always on the brink of breaking.

That season he played for every single fan that entered the stadium; would chase lost causes, formed the first part of defence from his attacking role, put in tackles and of course, scored goals.

He’s a passionate character too, constantly muttering to himself when moving around the field and when against an opponent engaging in some exchanged words. It motivated him, psyched himself up. It rarely did not produce an end product.

Aspas' transition from Segunda to Primera was seemingly effortless for the player. He managed three goals in his opening seven games, and as it stands has 11 in 32 matches.

There's a common misconception that Aspas is just a tenacious striker, but there's much more to him than that. He’s a creator too, marking down six assists and generally being the centre of everything good his team produces.

Aspas can drop off into midfield and start attacks, move into the channels and take players on with pace – particularly on the right hand side, where he likes to drift in from with a drop of the shoulder. He can also play on the shoulder like a number 9, offering a team verticality in their play.

His movement is one of the most impressive aspects of his game, harnessing a sweet change of direction and burst of pace. Although he doesn’t have great strength or power, he puts his body between the ball and an opponent intelligently while using skill or that pace to jet away.

His stature and skill set makes him a slippery character, difficult to contain. Out-and-out striker, inverted winger, second striker – Aspas would do any of these roles justice. He is though most at home in that second striker berth.

Aspas is seen as a Jekyll and Hyde character, so much so his ex-coach Herrera referred to him as part Messi and part monster. The latter part came to fruition in two incidents this season; one when he had to be substituted by Herrera to avoid being sent off then another when he head-butted an opponent and was banned for four games. All the while, Celta fans still sung the name of their hero who they felt represented them.

The truth is Aspas had many faces and many talents, and if he can channel that passion he has in the right direction he’ll accomplish great things.
Click to expand...


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/iago-aspas-scouting-report-lowdown-1906402
 
He was born in Moana, a town of just 20,000 in Galician. At school he was a terror too, constantly distracted in lessons with only focus on football.
Click to expand...

He can be our moaner from Moana
 
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