Liverpool and Kostas Tsimikas have made people happy.
Fans and pundits, for the most part, seem to be quite happy with the newest addition to Jurgen Klopp’s defensive arsenal.
Kostas Tsimikas flew in yesterday for a Liverpool medical and an immediate signing of a five year deal.
That’s two young full-backs signing five year contracts in as many days as Neco Williams was given a five year deal as well.
Liverpool bought Tsimikas from Olympiacos for £11.75m, which has raised eyebrows from some.
Football365.com are reporting that Liverpool show ‘worrying change’ in transfer as Solskjaer ‘warns’ De Gea.
This seems pretty foolish to me, coming from a Manchester United side that have spent upwards of a billion over the past decade, with very little to show for that investment in players.
Obviously this smacks of ‘sour grapes’ from the perennial rivals. They haven’t done their homework on Jurgen Klopp it would seem. This is the biggest cash outlay the gaffer has ever made for a full-back, going as far back as Marcel Schmelzer at Dortmund II.
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In large part, this hefty outlay for a full-back by Klopp can be a seen as inflation in player valuations over the past decade.
Squawka journalist Chris Smith reports on Klopp’s history with the full-back and how it can be used to make sense of Tsimikas and how he’ll fit in to the side.
Only Alphonso Davies (19) and Nélson Semedo (16) completed more take-ons than Tsimikas (14) in the 2019/20 Champions League.
Looking at full-backs who have played three games or more, only Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Chelsea’s Reece James averaged more successful crosses (including corners) per 90 minutes of Champions League football than Tsikimkas (2.2) this season.
One would have to assume on it’s face that this should be a quality signing for Klopp and the Reds. There were some grumbling pundits that have claimed Jamal Lewis was first choice to fill this spot, but after talks broke down, the Reds immediately pounced big for the Greek star.
This is another instance of punditry not having done their due diligence and research. The fact is Tsimikas has been on the Reds radar for three years. The interest in Lewis, came about because of Norwich relegation, and Michael Edwards attempt to nick a gifted full back with experience in the league for a song. But the Canaries were having none of it.
This signing should solidify the Reds defense on the flanks, and provide enough stimulus to push Robbo and Trent to grow and get even stronger. This is a win win for Liverpool from my thinking.
Obtaining a quality signing to provide cover with Joel Matip is the next most pressing business in this window.
Klopp and Michael Edwards seem to be on the same sheet of music when it comes to buying and selling players. They do their homework and due diligence as they keep tabs of where talent is tucked away.
They refuse to be lured into big name, big salary stars that too often do not fit into the paradigm Liverpool and FSG have promised to bring to the club.
I look forward to see Kostas’s roll-out, perhaps as early as the end of the month in the Community Shield tie with Arsenal at Wembley. A second half appearance could well be in the offing if the Reds have control of the match.
There has been some speculation in the past few days about wingers and other midfield and forward positions. But that is another story for another time.
The Thiago business keeps lingering in the background drama surrounding the window. I look for this to continue going forward until Gini Wijnaldum comes to the table. If Liverpool make a move for the highly touted Spanish star and playmaker, I see Gini looking to begin shopping clubs come January.