As Chelsea re-sign Nemanja Matic for a fee in the region of £21 million we look at which player Tottenham Hotspur might regret letting go.
Today will see Chelsea splash out around £21 million on the type of player they thoroughly need. A box-to-box midfield player both technically gifted and strong in the tackle – he is the perfect player for ‘the Jose Mourinho’ philosophy.
Like Costinha, Claude Makelele, Esteban Cambiasso or Sami Khedira before – Mourinho always has one unfashionable player among his midfield – there to provide the canvas for the artists ahead of him.
But that player is Nemanja Matic – who they let go as part of a swap deal just three years ago.
But if the other big teams in the Premier League had a ‘Matic Moment’ … who would it be?
Who would Liverpool spend big on now, that they let go so cheaply years ago?
One that does spring to mind is Alexander Kacaniklic. But would a team spend big on the Fulham man … we doubt it.
No you would find it far more likely to see a team spending bigger on Tom Ince – himself a player Liverpool let go.
Ince left for Blackpool in 2011 for a small compensation fee after impressing at Notts County on loan and following advice from his father, and now manager, ex-Red Paul Ince.
He has since gone on to become one of the best players in the Football League – and find himself linked with a host of top European teams.
Tottenham, Ajax, Inter Milan and indeed Liverpool have all been linked with snapping up the player – he also agreed an £8 million move to Cardiff City in the summer, before turning it down to remain at home for his new born son.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is considered a fan – and if he was around when Ince was unsure of his future, assurances would have been made.
Now if Liverpool wanted him, they would have to battle … and pay, for his services.
At least they didn’t completely get it wrong. A 50% sell-on fee means Liverpool are likely to make good money off the player one day.
image: © matlock-photo
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