Steven Gerrard has already picked $35m ‘talent’ who could help Liverpool forget Jude Bellingham my

Steven Gerrard has already picked $35m ‘talent’ who could help Liverpool forget Jude Bellingham

Liverpool won’t sign Jude Bellingham this summer, but a move for fellow Brummie could make a lot of sense given his outstanding Premier League performances this season.

With Liverpool opting not to move Jude Bellingham this summer, a myriad of names have emerged this summer as possible alternatives to Jurgen Klopp. A fellow Birmingham resident could be a smart signing for the Reds as they scour the market for reinforcements in midfield.

Naturally, with four midfielders due to leave Anfield over the next few months in the form of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Arthur Melo, the club’s recruiting staff will be left with no choice but to invest in some replacements in the squad. next transfer window. Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked that a large number of homegrown players could be leaving, meaning identifying players who meet this quota could become a necessity for Liverpool’s recruiting staff this summer. One player who has perhaps been somewhat overlooked as a potential option for the Reds in recent months is Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsay, who has been among the brightest young English talents in the Premier League this season. Given the price of Bellingham’s header this summer, it’s clear that homegrown talent is highly valued – but those players can claim a ‘vacant’ place in the squad and it’s worth noting that the same price hike could theoretically also apply to resale value. .

England’s second city has been a hotbed of talent in recent years, with the emergence of the Bellingham brothers at Birmingham City, as well as current professional players George Hall and Jordan James. Great rivals Aston Villa are also clear that there has been an emphasis on developing homegrown talent over the past decade, as evidenced by Jack Grealish, Carney Chukwuemeka and Louie Barry.

However, the standout talent to emerge from Villa Park’s youth system of late is the aforementioned Ramsey, who has impressed for his youth club this season – building on the breakthrough he has enjoyed notably under Dean Smith and later Steven Gerrard. The England Under-21 international, who is just 21, has already made an impressive 106 appearances, including three seasons in the Premier League and a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers.

The Birmingham-born star has been valued at a reasonable $35m (£28m) by Transfermarkt and has left a lasting impression on his former manager Gerrard, tipping him to earn full international caps in the future. The Anfield legend said last year: “He’s a great talent, I enjoy every moment working with him.

“He’s getting stronger with every game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He’s in a beautiful place. He will be a great player. I’m sure it won’t be long before the whole country is watching it. It’s up there, let me tell you.

The Liverpool hero’s view was echoed by his former team-mate Jamie Carragher, who also predicted the starlet will be “first class in the future”. Last month, Ramsey was linked with a move to Anfield, with the Reds remaining interested in the midfielder following a strong season for his club, according to Goal.

In 99 appearances for the Villans, the multitalented star – who has been deployed in midfield as well as on the flanks and further forward – made 19 appearances, including 11 goals and 8 assists. However, this season was arguably his most effective season yet as the youngster registered five goals and six assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

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Digging a little deeper into Ramsey’s numbers over the past year, his importance to Unai Emery’s team – and Gerrard before that – becomes very clear. According to football statistics website FBref, the Aston Villa Academy graduate was extremely effective in the final third, ranking in the top ten per cent of players in terms of progressive carries per 90 minutes, as well as over to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. in the opponent’s penalty area.

The Englishman also impressed with his defensive work, with the midfielder also ranking in the top 13% of his teammates in blocks per 90 minutes. Clearly, Ramsey is a comfortable player at both ends of the pitch and would fit in perfectly with a counter-pressure system of the kind used by Klopp at Liverpool. With Liverpool needing reinforcements in midfield this summer, a move for a prospect like Ramsey would make a lot of sense and the club would revert to a tried and tested strategy that has worked in the past: identifying players with potential who could go into the future to be the key. As a ready star, Bellingham would have been a departure, but the Aston Villa man is a less refined (albeit older) version of the same all-action mould.
Furthermore, the departure of several homegrown players this summer will mean the Reds may need to prioritize introducing new additions who can fill the quota and Ramsey, like Bellingham, fits into that.
Liverpool won’t sign Bellingham this summer but could do far worse than add compatriot Brummie to their ranks in the coming months. Ramsey would undoubtedly tick many boxes for Klopp’s side and could prove to be a masterful signing.