The Reds remain in the conversation for this starring midfielder.
Liverpool’s summer transfer window was not without its turbulence, but in hindsight, the mass midfield exodus and subsequent influx has reshaped and restored a side in decline.
Last season, the Reds languished and looked pitiful in the face of some heavy adversity, and the fifth-placed Premier League finish was an apt reflection of a miserable campaign.
Jurgen Klopp even admitted that he could face the sack in April should the terrible form seep into the 2023/24 season, having just slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Manchester City; it would have been an ignominious end to an illustrious reign.
Out with the old, in with the new – or so it goes. The likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho were shown the door and an exciting new clutch of midfield talent has thus far pumped vitality and quality into the squad to uphold Klopp’s system.
The campaign’s outstanding start suggests that prosperity will return after the last traces of enervation are eliminated; nevertheless, if transfer business in 2022 had not been so narrow-minded, it’s possible that all of last term’s problems were prevented.
Despite clear symptoms of wear and tear, Arthur Melo was the only midfield addition made during the window. A panic buy on loan, the Brazilian performed horribly, seeing just 13 minutes of action.
The failure to sign Aurelien Tchouameni, who signed a €100 million (£85 million) deal to join Real Madrid, after Klopp and company searched in vain for the ideal addition, set up the Anfield team for disappointment.
Aurelien Tchouameni transfer news from Liverpool
Liverpool fought hard to sign Tchouameni last year; Fabrizio Romano even acknowledged that they were among the front-runners for the highly-coveted player.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s team always appeared to be in the lead and ultimately won, adding to Liverpool’s disappointment following their loss in the Champions League final.
As Arsenal’s interest in the 28-cap France international intensifies, Anfield is still reportedly interested in him, according to Mundo Deportivo, though a trade would likely be improbable anytime soon.
Still, despite Liverpool’s recent success in rebuilding the midfield, they still need a specialist No. 6, and Tchouameni appears to be the ideal pick rather than Wataru Endo as the long-term first choice.
The statistics indicate that Tchouameni would make a valuable addition to Liverpool
Tchouameni may not have reached his full potential because he paid such a high price to join the Santiago Bernabeu team, which could have made him feel the pressure of joining perhaps the most elite team in the world.
The £205k-per-week player won the Copa del Rey and made 50 appearances across all competitions, but he was rested for both of the cup’s semifinal matches against Barcelona and the Champions League knockout stage.
Tchouameni has improved this season and seems necessary, even though it’s obvious that he wasn’t given a prominent role during the most important events.
This season in La Liga, the holding midfielder has actually won 80% of his dribbles and 70% of his duels; in contrast, Manchester City’s Rodri has won 63% of his duels in the Premier League. According to Sofascore, the player has completed 93% of his passes, made 1.7 tackles and 3.6 ball recoveries per game.
In terms of pass completion, passes attempted, interceptions, aerial wins, clearances, and tackles per ninety, the 23-year-old is among the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the previous year, according to FBref. He also ranks among the top 7% and 5%, respectively.
Considered “world-class” by Stefan Bienkowski of Transfermarkt, he is an exceptional defensive force in the center who has already made 14 appearances for his elite team this season.
His recent foot injury will probably keep him out of action for the rest of 2023, so it will be interesting to see if Madrid can continue their strong play without him.
Every time he plays, it seems like he gets better, and if Liverpool could make a transfer that could top anything they’ve done recently, Klopp’s squad would be at the top for years to come.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined the Premier League team this summer and has been positively amazing in the center of the park, could even be surpassed by an addition.
How Szoboszlai and Aurelien Tchouameni are comparable
Though there have been a few flimsy assertions of stiffer competition in the Premier League following Szoboszlai’s £60 million move from RB Leipzig to Liverpool in July, the natural technical ability is superior to most in Europe.
The 36-cap Hungary captain led his team to a second consecutive DFB Pokal victory last season, with ten goals and thirteen assists in all competitions. Journalist Marcel Moeller called him a “generational talent” as a result of his achievements.
Szoboszlai has been instrumental in Liverpool’s comeback and is expected to continue to dominate at the center of the Anfield pitch for many years to come. He is prolific and potent, energetic and stylish.
With two goals and two assists in 13 games, the 22-year-old is excelling under Klopp’s tutelage. Using 88% of his passes completed, he has averaged 2.5 critical passes, 1.4 tackles, and 7.6 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League, according to Sofascore.
In contrast, James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur, who TNT analyst Joe Cole claims was the “signing of the summer,” has completed 85% of his passes, making 3.2 crucial passes per game while also securing 1.4 tackles and 2.2 ball recoveries.
Similar players, Szoboszlai is flourishing as the middle’s engine; he’s much more powerful and enthusiastic, and despite Maddison’s strength, not many Liverpool fans are willing to exchange.
It’s very amazing to consider that Klopp might have a midfield star of higher caliber than the Hungarian if the Merseysiders manage to complete the illusive transfer for Tchouameni.
Although Tchouameni is a different type of midfielder and comparisons between the two should not be made based just on their disparate ratings, the former Monaco player has a significant presence on the field.
His latest injury is a major setback for Real Madrid, who have been unbeaten under Ancelotti’s leadership when he has started. The team would soar to new heights if he were used as the Liverpool anchor.
A midfield duo of Tchouameni and Szoboszlai would truly make Liverpool fly to new heights. Talent scout Jacek Kulig once praised the player as “out of this world”.
Klopp will be praying that one day a chance to buy the Los Blancos player arises, completing his crop that is thriving.