Liverpool have been strongly linked with making a move for Mark Davies. Would he be a good signing?
The Mirror has reported Mark Davies is a target for Brendan Rodgers’ new look Liverpool.
Is he good enough? Here are two opposing views.
Yes – sign him up
Davies is technically one of the better midfielders in the Premier League, and the form of Bolton Wanderers last season did not reflect on him.
Rodgers made his success at Swansea on getting the best out of technically gifted midfielders, such as Leon Britton, who had not enjoyed the success they ought to have done earlier in their careers.
Davies is a player who can follow the same mould, and at only 24-years-old his best years are ahead of him.
What stands out about Davies is his pass completion percentage from last season, 87.2 per cent. To achieve that in a struggling, relegated team, is a real compliment to his ability.
Newcastle United were linked with signing him earlier in the summer, and it is clear Bolton will struggle to hang onto him.
If Rodgers is to stick to his word about creating a team which keeps possession and puts pressure on opponents, new signings will be required rather than relying on existing personnel. Davies would help him do that.
Liverpool know all about him, Davies scored in a 3-1 win for Bolton against the Reds in January. Is he better than Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson? A lot of observers would agree.
Davies has the potential to play for England, and signing for Liverpool would help him achieve that goal. At just £6 million he would be a bargain, and he won’t be the only player signed this summer, just the start.
No – don’t sign him
If Liverpool are ambitious and serious about reaching the Champions League places, they need to start making top signings.
Does Davies qualify as that? Few sides across Europe and the Premier League will be worried at Liverpool bringing him on board.
There has been disconsolate chatter amongst Liverpool fans already that they are not pursuing more established targets, and are also unhappy that they seem to have missed out on Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Kenny Dalglish erred last year by signing poor British players like Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing. Is a cheap midfielder from relegated Bolton Wanderers a sign of progress?
Davies’ goal return could also be better, just four in 40 appearances. Not awful by any means, but not enough to get Liverpool fans overly excited.
There is a concern that signing him to an already congested midfield area could halt the progress and development of Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson, players who both need game time.
Liverpool have been linked with Bologna midfielder Gaston Ramirez. Do they need both? Reds fans would surely prefer Ramirez, who could also help fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez feel more at home, and could develop into a better player than Davies would.
What is your verdict? Should Liverpool sign Davies? Let us know your views and why…
image: © nathan17
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
