WHO I’D REPLACE SUAREZ WITH?

As much as we all love ‘world class’ players, they costs a lot of money and because they’re ambitious, they wouldn’t want to join a club that’s not going to be playing in the Champions League next season. The following list takes into account these things:

1.      CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

 

This Belgian has had an arguably better season than fellow countrymen Eden Hazard. Not only did he do well at Genk prior to this but he also scored a lot of goals in his debut season in the Barclays Premier League and also saved Aston Villa from relegation. The only stumbling block would be Villa’s asking price as they’d want 30-40 million for their prized asset and FSG (Liverpool’s current owners) are probably unwilling to spend all that money on just one player.

 

 

2.      DAVID VILLA

 

This guy did really well for club and country before he injured his tibia. After returning from injury, his playing time has been substantially limited and at 31, he’s willing to go somewhere else if it would mean more playing time. I don’t think at this stage in his career, he’d be thinking too much about money. I believe, he’d want more silverware and this would require more playing time so leaving Barcelona may be his only option. The only problem for Liverpool is that clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested and can also offer Champions League football, a competition perceived to be more prestigious than Europa League (not that that would matter since Liverpool won’t be in Europe at all next season).

 

 


3.      GONZALO HIGUAIN

 

I rate this player highly because he’s proven himself at the highest level for both club and country and is unlucky to find himself on his way out at Real Madrid since the whole club and not just he did miserably last season. My only concern would be Liverpool trying to fend off competition from the likes of Arsenal and Juventus, who unlike Liverpool will feature in next season’s Champions League. However, if Liverpool somehow manage to convince Higuain that his future lies with them, it may help attract other big names to the club. This is especially crucial because of the club’s absence from Europe next season and the lack of appeal of manager Brendan Rodgers.  You only need to look at the certain Mourinho to understand the latter.

 

 

4.      LOIC REMY

 

How he ended up at a club like QPR is anyone’s guess. After Marseille, many thought he’d join a ‘big’ club but were shocked when he chose QPR. Now that the club’s relegated and he’s scored enough in his debut season to suggests he can do better at a bigger club, Anfield is a possible destination. Unlike most names tipped to replace Suarez should he leave (with the exception of Benteke), Remy has the experience of playing in the Barclays Premier League so needs no time to adjust to life here. However, just like most players tipped to replace Suarez, Remy may fancy Champions League football rather than an absence of  European football altogether. With Mourinho back at Chelsea, Bale staying at Tottenham and Pellegrini managing City, it would take a miracle for Liverpool to qualify for Europe and at 26, Remy may feel it’s  Arsenal or Tottenham is a safer bet when it comes to qualifying for Europe should those clubs be interested in his services.

 

 

5.      EDINSON CAVANI

 

There’s no doubting Suarez’s quality and Cavani’s a readymade replacement, having done well in Italy. Ironically though, they’d have to negotiate with a certain former Liverpool manager for the sale of Cavani. Having made a huge loss on Andy Carroll, it’ll be interesting to see whether FSG would be willing to risk paying more than 45 million again on a player. Personally, I’d still pay a huge sum for someone like Cavani because the situation with Carroll was different. Cavani’s had success with a good club in a tough league and has done reasonably well for his country. The only concern would be the lack of Champions League football and the prospect of playing under a manager who has yet to prove himself at his level.

 

 

 

I’m no football expert but there is every chance Suarez will leave and even if he doesn’t, who’d want to keep an unhappy player? Liverpool needs to find a replacement fast and FSG may have to rethink their transfer policy. Quality doesn’t come cheap and the situation is made worse nowadays by clubs like Chelsea, PSG and Manchester City who buy players at inflated prices which then affects everyone else. It’s good to leave pricing to market forces but I think the current situation warrants some intervention by FIFA or it’ll damage the game in the long term. What’s Financial Fair Play rules for again?