Scouting For Rodgers: 3 Reasons Why Liverpool Should Sign This La Liga Star

Niguez started his career with Atletico Madrid’s youth team, and following impressive performances, was given his debut for the senior team as a substitute in the Europa League against Besiktas in 2011-12 season. Even though he was on the bench on five more occasions, he did not make an appearance. However, he was given an opportunity to shine in the cup competitions mainly last season, making 2 substitute appearances each in the league and the cup, and 7 appearances including 2 starts in the Europa League. Niguez was loaned out to La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano at the start of this season in a bid to give him more playing time.

Niguez has also represented the Spanish national team at various youth levels- U17, U19, U20 and U21- and was part of the team that won the 2012 European U19 Championships as well as a part of the U20 World Cup squad last year. In total, he has made 20 appearances for the national team, and has scored one goal and provided one assist in those matches.

2. Versatile Player

Niguez is primarily a central midfielder, capable of playing both a defensive as well as an attacking role. Playing in the attacking role, he has the ability to get forward, and makes runs into the box which are difficult to track. In the 2^nd division last season, playing for Atletico’s B-team, Niguez found the net 5 times in 12 appearances, 2 of which came against Real Madrid’s Castilla side, while he has scored one goal for Rayo this season, in the home defeat to Espanyol, and provided one assist, in the opening game of the season against Elche.

Niguez can also play as a center back, a position he has been used quite often this season by Rayo, a position that clearly isn’t his strongest. Although he averages almost 7.6 defensive actions per game (50 interceptions, 76 clearances and 10 blocks in 18 appearances), he has made 4 defensive errors, three of which have led to a goal. He also needs to work on his tackling, having won only 49% of the 69 tackles he has attempted, and has received five yellow cards and one red card so far this season.

3. Add Depth To Liverpool Side

At Liverpool, if he does make the move over to Merseyside, he will be deployed as a midfielder where he can use his technique and passing to make an impact on the game. Although his passing accuracy is 79% so far this season, a sizable chunk of those have been the erratic long balls that he has attempted while playing as a central defender. The left-footed midfielder has the ability to make the step up to the big league, but as evidenced by his up-and-down performances this season, he will need time to improve and gain the consistency required to compete at the highest level.

Addition of him will definitely add good depth to this paper thin Liverpool side. He may not be the signing who will make an instant impact in Liverpool’s chase for a champions league spot, but he is surely one for the future.

(Stats via Squawka, TransfrMarkt)