Does it make sense for Fulham to push for a deal which would see Adam arrive at Fulham?
With Clint Dempsey repeatedly linked with a move to Liverpool, Fulham have stayed strong by demanding a worthy price for their star man.
With Liverpool seemingly unwilling to meet their cash valuation of the American, talk has turned to a player-plus-cash part exchange deal.
The player in question is Charlie Adam, a player who excelled in the Premier League at Blackpool, but struggled to hit similar heights since his £8 million move to Anfield.
Setting aside the fact for a moment that Liverpool fans are so keen to offload a player they view as not up to their high standards, it might just be a good move for Fulham.
In fact, whether they keep Dempsey or not, pursuing Adam could just be a good idea.
Having just allowed Danny Murphy to depart, Fulham have a gap in the centre of midfield to fill, with the 35-year-old who made 33 starts last season leaving on a free to join Blackburn.
Fulham need a player who can put his foot on the ball in the middle of the park and be creative, and one who can take over their set pieces.
Adam can be that man, his set pieces once saw Sir Alex Ferguson praise them as ‘being worth £10 million alone’ and they played a part in his six assists last season.
He is the type of player who can excel in a side not packed with big names, where he can be one of the star men. At Liverpool that was never going to happen.
One of the criticisms of Adam levelled by Liverpool fans is his lack of tracking back, and it is a justified one, he needs a good defensive midfielder playing alongside him. He actually started well for the Reds but as soon as the excellent Lucas got injured in October his form disintegrated.
So who at Fulham could do that job? Mahamadou Diarra would be that man. The Malian midfielder, formerly of Real Madrid, played very well after his shock signing for the club as a free agent in February, and made his name as a defensive midfielder. He could provide the perfect platform for Adam to fill the void left by Murphy and dictate games.
Fulham also have a physical presence including Brede Hangeland, Phillipe Senderos, plus the incoming Romelu Lukaku and new signing Hugo Rodallega who would thrive from Adam’s set piece delivery.
He would have a point to prove, and an international place to still fight for, and the Charlie Adam Fulham would sign might just be even more motivated to prove a point than the one who thought he had made it upon signing at Anfield.
Do you agree? Would you like to see Adam at Fulham or should the club target a different midfielder?
image: © k1ngk0ng
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