United want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer and hold an interest in Atalanta ace Ederson. It is unclear whether United will make a move for the Brazilian at the end of the season.placeholder image
United want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer and hold an interest in Atalanta ace Ederson. It is unclear whether United will make a move for the Brazilian at the end of the season. | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool are looking to strengthen the midfield in what could be a key signing but it looks like the end of one favourite’s time at Anfield.
Liverpool aren’t quite throwing money at the problem in the hope that their issues can all be solved with new players with Arne Slot being in charge for the post-Jurgen Klopp revolution.
Regardless of who is in the right and who is wrong, it is the last thing that either the club or Slot needed. With the transfer window opening in a matter of weeks, Salah has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia with the Reds already seeing a host of names being mentioned as possible targets.
Ederson move could solve a major Liverpool problem
The 26-year old is a ready made signing and could immediately slot into the role that Ryan Gravenberch has been performing admirably. With Florian Wirtz having more of an attacking role than Dominik Szoboszlai’s no.10 last season, Slot needs a more robust double-pivot behind him.
Ederson would add energy and physicality alongside Gravenberch or Szoboszlai whilst also protecting what has been a fragile back four. Slot should take some of the responsibility for this given his rotation of the full-backs, although addressing the midfield would be a start.
Ederson isn’t quite 6ft tall, but he is powerfully built and has a massively underrated technical ability which, statistically, compares favourably to that of Barcelona’s prodigy Gavi. Having a player who is a metronomic passer as well as being able to handle the physical demands of the Premier League could be a game-changer for Liverpool.
Ederson move wouldn’t be good news for Liverpool favourite
It wouldn’t be good news for fan favourite Wataru Endo though with the 32-year old defensive midfielder already struggling for game time under Slot and approaching the last 18-months of his contract at Anfield. The Japan legend has just 242 minutes of action this season and will be looking to play more regularly ahead of the World Cup next summer. If Liverpool sign Ederson, Endo will almost certainly be the next player knocking on Slot’s door demanding to leave.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport last season, former England boss Fabio Cappello is clearly a huge fan of Ederson: “Everyone's been asking the same question for a while: are Atalanta really worthy of the Scudetto? I still believe Inter are the favorites, but Gasperini can certainly play his cards. And he has a midfielder worthy of a top European club: Ederson. He's out of this world with his ability to combine running, physicality, technique, and intelligence."
Endo has been a solid servant to Liverpool, but even he would admit that his talent isn’t quite “out of this world”.
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