Liverpool has got embroiled in a true transfer saga when it comes to Moisés Caicedo. Should the club lose out, or choose to step back, one alternative
is clear.
Despite Liverpool having a bid accepted for his services, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Caicedo favors a move to Chelsea and is waiting for the
Blues to increase their offer to Brighton.
Considering Caicedo has been in talks with Chelsea for months, that decision is understandable if it is out of loyalty for the people he has been talking
business with over the last few weeks. However, given his dithering, Liverpool should not hesitate either — and that could mean moving on to an
alternative, one who is just as exciting as Caicedo.
Alongside the Ecuadorean, one of the best young holding midfielders in the Premier League last season was Cheick Doucouré. The Malian
international was awarded Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season prize and was up there among the midfielders with the most tackles and
interceptions made in the league.
As per FBref, only Declan Rice (142) and Caicedo (156) made more tackles and interceptions than Doucouré (133) out of U23 players in the Premier
League.
The Malian may not hold the same reputation as Rice or Caicedo, but Doucouré is equally as impressive. He would be a solid option for Liverpool’s
midfield to replace Fabinho.
Crucially, he is a player who would also add to the Liverpool dressing room, with an outstanding personality.
Liverpool.com interviewed his former academy’s administrator, Mamadou Wad, about Doucouré last month, and the feedback given was of a very
intelligent and modest character who enjoyed playing Sudoku and reading books, and liked to stay out of the limelight as much as possible.
Wad described him as ‘elegant, soft and clever’ in our interview with him and also added how even as a teenager he was a role model at JMG.
“His teammates were naturally drawn to him. To me, it seemed like he was best friends with everyone, and a great model for the younger players,
who especially looked up to him.”
That’s the kind of personality Jürgen Klopp has always sought out to add to his squad. Modest and intelligent, Doucouré would be an ideal fit on and
off the pitch for Liverpool.
Crucially, he would cost a lot less than Caicedo.
The Athletic when writing of Liverpool’s interest in the Malian last month reported an $89m (£70m/€81m) figure which is considerably less than
what Liverpool has agreed with Brighton for the Ecuadorean.
With the leftover funds from the deal, Liverpool could even target other problem areas such as bringing in a left-sided center-back, who could
potentially cover for Andy Robertson as a left-back too.
Which is why if Caicedo is really keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, Liverpool should just bid farewell to that deal and look to bring in Doucouré
instead. The saga may well have more twists and turns yet, but there are other options out there.
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