It would appear that the Liverpool boss has finally run out of patience with the Belgian and is lining up the former Barcelona number one as a replacement. Valdes has been a free agent since his contract at the Nou Camp ran out in the summer. He had been set to join Monaco but a serious injury put pay to the proposed deal and the Ligue 1 sides plight this season will most probably put the Spaniard off a transfer to the French principality.
A lot has been made of Louis Van Gaal’s decision to let him train at Manchester United in recent weeks but with David De Gea now nailed down as the club’s number one for the foreseeable future due to outstanding form to say the least, Valdes is unlikely to make a move to Old Trafford.
A goalkeeper of his undoubted quality needs to play plenty of games and be the main man. This may be something Liverpool can offer in the wake of Simon Mignolet’s poor form. Reports have suggested that Brendan Rodgers is ready to move on and replace his stuttering keeper.
Until recently Rodgers has dropped Mignolet from the starting line up after a series of errors and shaky performances between the sticks. The Belgian has only managed to regain his place in recent times due to an unfortunate injury to replaceme Brad Jones. The Anfield boss claimed to have done so to take him out of the firing line and cauldron of pressure mounting on his shoulders, as Manchester City did to Joe Hart’s eventual benefit during last season.
However, his run out of the team started in the club’s biggest away game of any season, at Old Trafford. You don’t take a man out of the side in such a hugely important fixture to simply take the spotlight off him. If he is your number one and you have confidence in him, he starts and is rested for games against some of the lesser teams or in the cup.
Valdes is arguably a vastly upgraded version of Mignolet due to his ability to play out of the back and outstanding shot stopping. Two qualities Liverpool thought they were acquiring in the former Sunderland keeper.
The man who has won it all for Spain and Barcelona is Rodgers’ style of goalkeeper and would blend in with philosophy seamlessly. His wage demands may be high but getting a keeper of Valdes’ quality on a free would be a real coup for Liverpool who are in desperate need of some defensive stability.
What’s more he has become somewhat of a forgotten man so the path may be clear for the Mersey side outfit to make a move without facing considerable competition.
Valdes was part of the Barcelona spine which enjoyed such unbelievable success between the years of 2006 to 2011. The decision to leave the Catalan club was his entirely despite the powers that be at the club trying everything they could to retain his services.
Rodgers would like to sign the player in this window and if they manage to struck a deal this month, both parties could be benefited.
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