The real business of the transfer window begins in just over a month and there are a few names who will doubtless be frequenting the back pages before and during January.
While Wayne Rooney seems to have settled down again, Radamel Falcao seems strangely unsettled, just months after a megabucks move to Monaco. Leighton Baines’ name may crop up more than once and the tabloids will surely mention Luis Suarez in passing.
But one of the best players in this league is also struggling for game time right now. Jose Mourinho has a wealth of midfield options to choose from. But it’s still odd that he doesn’t pick Juan Mata on a regular basis. Chelsea’s player of the year last season has been in and out of the team of late but his Portuguese boss just doesn’t seem that keen on him.
The strange thing about it is that you could imagine him walking into any other team in The Premier League with pipe and slippers on. Manchester United would absolutely love to call on such a mercurial attacking midfield talent and surely even Manchester City would slot him into their first eleven.
Liverpool would also benefit hugely from putting him in alongside Steven Gerrard in the midfield. So far, the Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has bought well in the mid-priced market, with players like Sturridge and Countinho. But you would imagine that, sooner or later, the purse strings will loosen for at least one big money purchase.
It will come as a surprise to some that Liverpool are EPL favourites with bookmaker Paddy Power to sign the brilliant Spaniard. Whilst PSG and Atletico Madrid are ahead in the overall shortlist Liverpool is the most likely next permanent destination for Mata, if he does decide to stay in England, at odds of 6/1.
We think that this guy would turn Liverpool from an exciting team, on an upward curve, to a serious title contender overnight. Putting the little genius in behind Sturridge and Suarez could prove the perfect catalyst for success at Anfield.
Let’s see the boy in action. Liverpool fans, would this be the perfect signing for the club right now?
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Patrick
Nov 29, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Coutinho puts the little genius in behind Sturridge and Suarez already, but Mata would be good backup.