When discussing the impact Yunus Musah made under him at Valencia last season, former Los Che boss Jose Bordalas repeated the one word that is already starting to become synonymous with the tenacious, tigerish USA international; ‘Versatile’.
In 2021/22 alone, Musah played as a box-to-box central midfielder, a left-back, a right-winger, a second striker and, at times, as an advanced playmaker.
“(He is) powerful, very strong physically and has good individual technique,” Bordalas says of this Swiss Army Knife footballer.
“He’s incredibly versatile. I used him in midfield in various positions, also on the wing and even as a second striker. He’s done well everywhere. And these positional changes have helped him to improve in the defensive phase as well.
“He has a good first touch, a good shot, great acceleration, and is good in one-on-one situations. This, combined with his explosiveness, makes him a real weapon because he can get in behind the opposition defensive line.”
Liverpool could bring former Arsenal starlet Yunus Musah back to Premier League
Reports claiming that Liverpool have contacted the former Arsenal starlet’s representatives, ahead of a potential return to England, will be music to the ears of supporters still unhappy about the decision to let Gini Wijnaldum’s contract run down last year (90Min).
Ask anyone connected with the Merseyside giants and they will tell you just how integral Wijnaldum was to their success under Jurgen Klopp. If Jordan Henderson was the heartbeat of that Liverpool side, then Wijnaldum was the lungs.
Even with the Dutch international the wrong side of 30, Liverpool’s midfield hasn’t had the same bite or intensity since the former Newcastle ace left for PSG on a free transfer.
“When we prepare for an opponent like Chelsea, we look at our games against Chelsea (in the past) and see Gini running around there,” Klopp sighed ruefully following Wijnaldum’s departure (The Mirror).
“We still have to get used to that. It is not only on the pitch we miss him. But we really, really miss him in the dressing room as well.”
Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement?
Musah, at just 20 years of age, is hardly the finished article. But the New York-born dynamo, who turned down a new contract at Arsenal before joining Valencia, possesses most if not all of the attributes that made Wijnaldum such an influential figure under Klopp.
Convincing Valencia to cash in, however, will be easier said than done.
“Valencia intend to block (his sale). I don’t think they will sell him for less than 40 million euros (£34m),” says Musah’s agent, Giacomo Guidolin (Calciomercato). “They will still try to hold on to him. But, faced with certain figures, it’s difficult to refuse.
“Last summer, Barcelona carried out a survey. But the discussion did not develop. I see Serie A and the Premier League (clubs) having an advantage for his future.
“To leave Valencia he needs an important project. He has to go and play the Champions League and European competitions continuously.”
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