Klopp can be the guiding hand that Julian Draxler wants
By David Gate
Jürgen Klopp can be the steady, guiding hand that Julian Draxler needs after turbulent times at Paris Saint Germain and Wolfsburg.
Julian Draxler has been one of the hottest young European players for years. Way back in 2012 Liverpool were linked to the then 18-year-old who was wowing scouts at Schalke. Alongside his teammate Lewis Holtby they formed a deadly creative duo. The two youngsters caught the attention of every big European club.
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Eventually Holtby went to Tottenham Hotspur where he stuggled to make the team and show his ability. Watching his friend labor in the Premier League influenced his own decision to stay in Germany when the time came to leave Schalke. He moved to Wolfsburg but was only their for 18 months.
He had made a mistake. Draxler had chosen a sideways move when he needed a step up. Only 5 goals in his 34 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg was disappointing for club and player. So when PSG came with a £35 million offer they both decided to correct their mistake.
Now 7 months later and his time in Paris looks over. He set to be part of squad renovation to make way for new boy Neymar and potential signing Kylian Mbappe. The Parisians want that pair to play behind Edison Cavani leaving no room for Draxler. He finds himself homeless and unsettled again.
Klopp can be his guide
With the World Cup in Russia looming, Draxler cannot afford to disappear to the PSG bench this season. He was captain of the German side that won the Confederations Cup this summer alongside Emre Can. He came away with the Player of the Tournament Award. Places for the German squad, let alone the first team, are fierce. They are loaded in midfield.
Draxler desperately wants a place to settle, develop and become the player he has the potential to become. Liverpool would be a fantastic spot for him. His flexibility would allow him to play in any of the central or wide roles in Jurgen Klopp’s system.
But it is not the system that would be best for Draxler but Klopp himself. After an unsettled few years the encouragement and tactical coaching of Klopp would be the perfect guide for Draxler to grow into a true star and a world beater.