Liverpool’s Germany international midfielder Emre Can has caused a bit of a stir while on national team duty by revealing news on his plans for next season.
Can revealed his plans talking to a newspaper in his homeland. The Liverpool Echo quotes the midfielder as saying, “Sure, the Bundesliga would interest me, why not? Although I must say honestly that the level has waned in recent years.
“The Premier League has the power to spend more money on players than the Bundesliga. This is very, very important for players. I have the self-confidence to say that my qualities are sufficient to play in a very big club next season.”
It is fair to say that the interview has not down well with Liverpool fans at all. Reds fans took to social media in their hoards to berate the midfielder.
A free agent this summer
Liverpool fans will feel their club fits the criteria that can lay down for next season. Can will be a free agent this summer, as the German has just a few months left on his deal with the club from Merseyside.
The fact that he may leave does not seem to bother Liverpool fans. It is the fact that he has run his contract down that is frustrating them. Due to Can being a free agent in the summer, Liverpool will only not receive a fee for the midfielder.
In today’s market, an international midfielder of 24 and of decent ability could cost as much as £40million. While Reds fans would not lose any sleep about the player leaving, a transfer fee received for him could have been used to finance a decent replacement.
A decent squad player
As much as I hate to agree with Liverpool fans (what am I thinking!) I do when it comes to Can, as some have claimed that the German midfielder is just a decent squad player and is not even a key player for the team. I agree to some degree.
For me, Can is a better all-around midfielder than Jordan Henderson. However, the 24-year-old also gives the ball away more and makes more mistakes that lead to the opposition gaining opportunities to score goals.
Italian giants Juventus have been heavily linked with a move for the Germany international and are favourites to sign the midfielder in the summer. The Bianconeri may be keen to sign the midfielder, but Can is unlikely to get the starring role he desires in Turin. He may one day improve and become that good, but at the moment he is not.
Liverpool set for a title challenge
Liverpool has shown signs that with a few tweaks in defence and midfield that they could be genuine title contenders next season. The Reds look set to seal a Champions League spot this season, as they are odds of 1/12 to clinch a top-four finish.
Most neutrals would say that Liverpool are still a big club. They are not still at the same level of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, who are out on their own as European Goliaths.
If Emre Can wants to develop his game then he should sign a deal with Liverpool. He is nowhere near good enough yet to star for one of the aforementioned clubs.
Maybe Can is overestimating his own ability. If he is, then he may soon be regretting leaving Liverpool in search of a so-called ‘very big club’.
