Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo is closing in on a £15 million move to the Premier League and Liverpool icon Dietmar Hamann believes the Japan international will ‘surprise’ his doubters.
Hamann, a former Germany international and an avid Bundesliga viewer, is well placed to pass judgement on a player few on the red side of Stanley Park knew much about until those reports emerged on Wednesday night.
Liverpool, according to The Guardian, have already agreed personal terms with Wataru Endo. The Stuttgart skipper will join for a fee in the region of £15 million; nearly £100 million less than Jurgen Klopp’s side were willing to pay for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
At the age of 30, and having spent the last few seasons battling relegation on German soil, Endo’s potential arrival at Anfield may have left some supporters feeling a little underwhelmed.
But, taking to Twitter (and, yes, we are still calling it ‘Twitter’), Hamann insists that Endo’s age – and his hardly star-studded CV – should not be held against him.
Liverpool close in on Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo
“I think Endo will surprise a few people,” predicts Hamann, an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup winner with Liverpool in 2021.
“(Endo is) technically very gifted and disciplined. I think he’s made for that role. He kept a struggling side together in the last few seasons.
“He’ll also be better with more talent around him.”
What Endo lacks in star quality, he more than makes up for in effort, aggression and poise. A natural-born leader on and off the pitch; Endo gives Klopp options in midfield and at centre-half. He looks the perfect foil for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. What’s more, he boasts an impressive goalscoring record for a naturally defensively-minded player.
Endo even scored the goal which saved Stuttgart’s skin in the 92nd minute of the Bundesliga’s final day in 2021/22.
“As a player and as a person, he’s simply incredibly valuable,” former Stuttgart director Sven Mislintat told the Bundesliga website of a midfielder likened to the legendary Claude Makelele.
“He’s one of these anchors. A focal point in our system. Whether he plays as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, it’s good that he’s there and performs.”
Stuttgart are already in talks to sign Endo’s replacement; Hoffenheim and Germany U21 ace Angelo Stiller.
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