Liverpool FC : 10 Probable Hodgson-Esque Targets in January
Of course Liverpool don’t need and certainly won’t go for a massive overhaul at least in the upcoming winter transfer window. Roy Hodgson recently mentioned that the club was looking at a huge number of prospects for this coming transfer window, although he couldn’t guarantee anything more about it.
The reality however remains that Liverpool FC need to strengthen the squad no matter what and it is almost certain that business will be done in the January transfer window. The inception of Damien Comolli and a few of his recent comments also goes in to further justify the statement. However, in one of those recent interviews, Comolli also went on to say that Roy Hodgson would have a greater say in matters relating to the transfers.Thus, the topic of this slideshow.
Now as we all know the types of players or rather the nationality of players that Hodgson prefers, here is a list of either probable targets that Hodgson may go for or influence the management to buy . However, I expect only a few of them to materialize.
Gary Cahill (Bolton & England)
1 of 11
Roy Hodgson was spotted watching Bolton take on Blackpool. Now, after a seemingly long-term injury to the aging Liverpool talisman Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel not really very impressive and Agger's injury-proneness. Hodgson was reported to have stated that Liverpool are infact a little thin on centre halves.
Now, with Bolton recently reporting record losses just a few weeks back and reportedly ready to sell off a few players to balance their books, Gary Cahill could just be the choice for Roy Hodgson at the centre half. However with teams like Arsenal also following the Englishman, Hodgson may just have to look elsewhere and depend on Comolli for an alternative option if NESV are not ready to part with 12m+ for the Bolton man.
Oscar Wendt (FC Copenhagen and Sweden)
2 of 11
Oscar Wendt has been a revelation for FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, however, this Swedish Left back's progress is reportedly monitored by Liverpool FC. It may be easily understood that Roy Hodgson and his links with Scandinavia is responsible for such links.
However, going by few forgettable performances by Paul Konchesky, the Liverpool FC left back , it may not be unrealistic to consider that Liverpool FC may very well be wanting to strengthen at that position and this 25 year old Swedish may just have a peek in.
It may be relevant to state that Roy Hodgson will not be going for FC Copenhagen stars for the first time if he at all goes for Wendt. Earlier at Fulham, Hodgson bought Brede Hangeland from the same club. Interestingly enough, Hangeland because of his towering height and heading ability along with his defensive partner were known as "Copenhagen Airforce".
Backed by Hangeland's success, Oscar may well be a target for Roy Hodgson.
Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel and Switzerland)
3 of 11
Xherdan Shaqiri may not be a house-hold name yet, but at 19 this diminutive is extremely pacy and already considered as one of the best playmakers from Switzerland.
The player burst into the international scene with a pile-driver against England in September, 2010 for a Euro qualifier match and though Switzerland still went on to lose the match 1-3 , Shaqiri attracted attention from some top clubs in Europe.
Along with Liverpool, even European Champions Inter Milan are considered very interested in the player.
Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan Athletic & France)
4 of 11
Charles N'Zogbia was reported to be one of the targets of Roy Hodgson. The french winger is arguably one of the most under-rated players in the premier league . Liverpool's Chief scout Eduardo Macia was earlier told to keep tabs on the player by Roy Hodgson.
Recent revelations by the player about his club being a "stepping stone" could also tempt Liverpool to finally give the player his break to play for a top club.
N'Zogbia easily fits the category of young and exciting talents who would also come cheap as compared to other players in this category. All in all the 24 year old French man seems to be certain target for Liverpool unless they poach better talents of course.
Carlton Cole (West Ham & England)
5 of 11
He may not be an ideal choice to most Liverpool fans, but Carlton Cole is one of the strikers whom Roy Hodgson has openly admitted to have been scouting in the summer . Hodgson has also further admitted that he likes the sturdy English forward .
Although experienced, Cole has spent a long time at West Ham United now, without ever being outstanding . In such a case, Hodgson may find people questioning his wisdom if he still goes for the 27 year old especially now that Liverpool are not exactly a cash strapped club anymore and signing Carlton Cole may be too high a risk after all without any substantial reward in return.
Valentin Stocker (FC Basel & Switzerland)
6 of 11
Again another Swiss prodigy who is just 21 but very highly rated by the FC Basel fans. Stocker has been extremely instrumental in his club FC Basel's wonder run to and through the Champions matches.
Fans of Basel say, Valentin Stocker is a real talent and with his excellent ball control and pacey runs down the left mid-field, he could be a huge star in the days to come.
Although, this swiss reference may simply be thought to be down to Hodgson's links in Switzerland, where he is still well respected, Stocker's agent has recently confirmed that Liverpool FC is indeed an option for the player come the winter transfer window.
Johan Elmander (Bolton & Sweden)
7 of 11
Johan Elmander, remarked Hodgson, was always his target at Fulham, however, he did miss out to Bolton in the chase ultimately.
Now, Hodgson has more than one reason to think he will be able to buy the Swede. Firstly, Liverpool are a much bigger team than Fulham and so tempting the swede shouldn't be a problem. Secondly, Elmander has been in superb form for most of the season so far having even once reached the stage of being the top scorer in the league. Thirdly, although now 29, Elmander is a genuine hard-worker on the pitch and gives his 100% every time he gets on it ,and with the winter window being low quality with top players either unavailable or having highly inflated price tags, NESV may just fund Hodgson for this transfer.
In the meanwhile, rumors are rife that Liverpool may bag Elmander for about 5m in the winter, whether it happens or not however after seeing Hodgson at the Reebok a few days back, the rumors seem credible enough whether the fans like it or not!
Tomas Necid (CSKA Moscow & Czech)
8 of 11
Tomas Necid is certainly one of the best young strikers around. The Czech 21 year old has already scored 16 goals for CSKA Moscow after his move there .
With AC Milan and Real Madrid both showing interest in the player, if Liverpool still manage to lure the 6'3'' striker to Anfield this winter , Roy Hodgson must consider himself pretty lucky. The player is considered to be rated at 10m GBP.
Mirko Vucinic (AS Roma and Montenegro)
9 of 11
Although the last Roma man who played for Liverpool,Alberto Aquilani, couldn't manage much playing time for the Reds, the attacking crisis at Liverpool has led to fresh rumors that the Reds are interested in signing Mirko Vucinic. Again another 27 year old and although highly rated in some corners, any bid to buy the player would easily seem to be more of a Roy Hodgson buy as opposed to that desired by the NESV philosophy or Damien Comolli's .
Reports from Italy suggests that the Reds may even make a bid of €25m for the player.
Ashley Young (Aston Villa and England).
10 of 11
Former Liverpool FC manager Gerard Houllier may have stated his displeasure at the rumors linking Aston Villa star to Liverpool and a few other clubs, however, the truth remains that Ashley Young clearly is not happy or very keen to sign a contract extension.
Aston Villa on the other hand have also started stuttering on their way and have started stumbling. Although Liverpool themselves have a quite a lot of work to pull their way up, but the stature of the club and the prospect of playing for a bigger club may lure the 25 year old to Anfield for about 20m GBP.
Roy Hodgson and Damien Comolli sure have made signing and promoting English players a priority and be it for the academy or the first team a player of the ability of Young may be a welcome for Roy Hodgson's Liverpool if he so wishes.
Final Words!
11 of 11
The list foresaid just contains a few of those players who have been thus far linked with Liverpool and who seem more Hodgson-esque than all the others.
However, although I believe players like Lucas Barrios, Keisuke Honda, M'Vila or even Matuidi could be also be an outside possibility with Comolli and NESV emphasising on the need to look for the future and need for arriving at consensus before going for the buys, the management's decision to give the manager an edge may result in Liverpool going mostly in his direction this winter window.
