Liverpool’s deal for Moisés Caicedo is in pretty serious jeopardy, but FSG have built strong relations with Brighton and should look to make another
transfer.
like it is tipping towards an unhappy end, with Jörg Schmadtke and FSG potentially set to lose out on the Ecuadorean’s signature despite agreeing a
deal with Brighton.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Caicedo prefers to move to Stamford Bridge out of loyalty for Chelsea, and if that is the case, there is no reason for Liverpool
to prod the deal any further.
But to make sure the club’s hard work was not all in vain, there are silver linings to take from the deal, even if Chelsea ultimately gets its man. To
begin with, this was another successful negotiation between Brighton and Liverpool, following the successful acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister.
And that is a good sign and something which could work in Schmadtke’s favor in the future. Brighton is loaded with exciting talent who could all be
excellent future additions at Anfield, and FSG would be foolish not to tap that well.
One such possible acquisition who Liverpool should target is Caicedo’s fellow Ecuadorean, Pervis Estupiñán. According to Football Transfers, he is
on the radar of Liverpool.
That needs to be taken with a healthy pinch of salt. But regardless of any current interest, a move for Estupiñán would make sense.
Andy Robertson is not getting any younger on Liverpool’s left flank and he will be 30 years old by the end of the season. Over the last two seasons
there has been a slight regression in the way he has played as well as his form, and as he gets older that’s expected to continue.
On top of that — in Liverpool’s new box midfield system with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing an inverted role — Robertson has increasingly
struggled to adapt to having to play a more defensive-minded position.
Estupiñán on the other hand is more defensively disciplined and he is just getting into his prime at 25 years old.
As per Wyscout, last season the Brighton full-back averaged 8.78 successful defensive actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season,
which is more than Robertson’s 7.44.
On top of that, the fellow Ecuadorean is capable of making an offensive impact as well. Last season he also averaged more crosses (3.45) and more
dribbles (1.88) per 90 minutes in the Premier League than Robertson.
Those are solid underlying numbers, and his overall output of seven goals and assists was not far away from Robertson’s eight either.
But what makes Estupiñán the perfect candidate to target is his ability to play in that center-back role and become a more defensive player in a three-
man defense for Liverpool as well.
Estupiñán has played similar roles in the past including against Bournemouth in a 1-0 victory for Brighton last season.
Schmadtke and FSG have done well to build relations with Brighton, regardless of what happens to Caicedo. In the future, Liverpool could very well
capitalize on that by potentially bringing Estupiñán instead.
Which in the bigger picture may even be a better transfer than Caicedo. After all, Liverpool has alternative candidates to Caicedo whom FSG can
target, but there are few left-back options in world football who are capable of slotting in and playing as a left-back in the Reds’ new system with
Alexander-Arnold.
Leave a Reply