Taye Taiwo: Rafa to Pair Nigerian Powerhouse with Johnson as Liverpool Unleash New Attacking Full-backs
Marseille’s powerful left-back Taye Taiwo has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Premier League big four which is sure to alert Liverpool who may well be in the hunt for to add a left-sided defender following the disappointing performance of Andrea Dossena last season. Portsmouth’s Glen Johnson looks likely to move to Anfield and alongside Taiwo would provide Liverpool with two of the most attacking full-backs in the Premier League.
The player had this to say to France-Football, “If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club.”It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.
“I do not want to leave Marseille for the sake of it. If I make it, it will be for a big club, to win the UEFA Champions League, in England, or why not Spain?
“I won’t make it for money, otherwise I could immediately leave for Ukraine, where I could earn just as much.”
The defender is confident in his ability to play against the very best in the Premier League as Taiwo’s comments illustrate, “I am not scared by the level in England. I believe I have the right level to defend against [Wayne] Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Anyway I am more powerful than them. The only one with whom it would be much more complex is [Lionel] Messi.
“He is too small and too strong. That’s why maybe it could be better for me to join England rather than Spain.”
The 24-year-old Nigerian international has been linked to numerous Premier League clubs in the past year particularly Tottenham and Man City. The defender had this to say earlier in the season, “I have made my desire to play in the Premier League clear,” he told Sky Sports. “Tottenham are a big club, but I am at Marseille. I want to play in the Premier League, but I have a contract. But if the clubs agree…”
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Man City, Newcastle and Sunderland had been heavily linked to the raiding full-back in the past though Liverpool are the club that would ideally suit the Nigerian from the current big four. Rafa Benitez summer signing Andrea Dossena has failed to impress since arriving at Anfield and may well be shipped out this summer. Although Fabio Aurelio has performed well in recent weeks and young Argentine Emiliano Insua shown potential when given the chance, Taiwo would fit perfectly into Liverpool’s style of play and has far more experience.
The left-back has played in France for the last 4 seasons and has made 134 league appearances for the club (10 goals). Marseille finished 16th in the 2007/08 season which has led to speculation concerning a number of their players but they managed to retain the Nigerian and it has paid off. The club came 2nd last season just 3 points behind champions Bordeaux with Taiwo playing in 35 of the team’s 38 league games (34 starts).
Not only is Taiwo renowned for his no-nonsense defending but also his attacking forays and powerful shooting ability. His long range efforts have been clocked at over 80mph so expect him to fight with Steven Gerrard to take charge of free-kicks if he does sign for Liverpool.
Taiwo was signed by Marseille to replace legendary French full-back Bixente Lizarazu and has become a cult figure for the club. He was part of the Nigerian side that lost to Argentina in the final of the 2005 World Youth Championships. In fact, he was voted 3rd best player in the tournament behind Lionel Messi and Obi Mikel.
The Nigerian international has is a regular in his senior national side scoring 7 goals. He has also played in two African Cup of Nations tournaments.
So would you like Liverpool to bring the 2006 African Young Player of the Year to the Premier League? Do you think the club are already strong in that position? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Liverpool, Marseille, Nigeria, Taye Taiwo
June 17th, 2009 at 15:59
Absolutely no need for him, they have Aurelio and Insua
June 17th, 2009 at 17:27
Aurelio & Insua! Aurelio had his best season last year but he’s too slow for the big games. Insua has promise and is definitley worth keeping. Taiwo onthe other hand is quick, strong, has a blistering left foot and isn’t that bad defensivley, (see the last 2 games we have played in recent years against Marseille) anyway it remains to be seen if we can & do buy him…….i think he would be good especially attacking wise also….
June 17th, 2009 at 20:58
I surely believe that Taiwo will change liverpooll game. A left footed defender with ability to play any short that come to his left leg; it will be an advantage for any england first four to win next league trophy. Taye Taiwo is worth African best 3 right now.
June 17th, 2009 at 22:46
Insua is good for us.
And aurelio can be his back up.And its time to blood danny pacheco
June 18th, 2009 at 01:16
Ok…sell mascherano first..then go for taiwo
June 18th, 2009 at 03:43
“If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club.” It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.
He’s just as happy with the other 3? This is why he’s not what Liverpool want.
June 18th, 2009 at 06:36
Where does it say Liverpool want him, where? This is rubbish!
June 18th, 2009 at 06:44
Anybody know the name of the soundtrack in the Taye Taiwo video clip??
I love the music..
June 18th, 2009 at 07:24
‘Just Like You Imagined (Left)’ by Nine Inch Nails.
Tip: Get an iPhone, then download Shazam from iTunes, best App ever! It listens to whatever music you can’t identify and then comes back to you in about 30 secs with the info
June 18th, 2009 at 09:01
i think the best solutions will be Taye Taiwo on the left side ! He is strog and very good shooter and Rafa bring Taye Taiwo in Liverpool and sell Mascherano coz don’t want to play for us! If i’am in ur palce i will sell him but not under 35M phounds
June 18th, 2009 at 17:14
Dear Sir Alex,
Take this Marseille’s powerful left-back Taye Taiwo (24 yrs) change him into powerfull Attacking Midfielder and he can play left back if neccessary. MU need a fighter in midfield the likes of Teves. He seem to be fit in your team base on the above video but off course, need to see his action before you decide.
June 19th, 2009 at 13:13
Sign him quick! He sank liverpool is one of the UCL game and he will sink others too for Liverpool when he joins the Kop. Sign him !
June 19th, 2009 at 13:16
After seeing the video, he reminds me of Micah but with better. can head, can defend, can score. Sign him !
June 20th, 2009 at 10:12
LFC 2009/2010: 25 1st Team Players
GK:Reina/Cavalieri
RB:G.Johnson/Richards/Darby
CB:Carragher/Agger/Skertel
LB:Taiwo/Aurelio/Insua
RM:Valencia/A.Johnson
CDM:Mascherano/Alonso/Lucas
CAM:Gerrard/Aguero/Benayoun
LM:Bastos/Silva
ST:Torres/Villa/Kuyt/Babel
Reina
G.Johnson/Carragher/Agger/Taiwo
Mascherano/Alonso
Gerrard
Aguero/Villa
Torres
With Bench of:
Cavalieri/Aurelio/Skertel/Benayoun/Silva/Valencia/Kuyt
OR
Reina
G.Johnson/Carragher/Agger/Taiwo
Valencia/Mascherano/Alonso/Bastos
Gerrard
Torres
With Bench of:
Cavalieri/Aurelio/Skertel/Benayoun/Silva/Aguero/Villa
OR
Reina
G.Johnson/Carra/Taiwo
Mascherano/Alonso
Valencia/Bastos
Gerrard
Torres/Villa
With Bench of:
Cavalieri/Agger/Aurelio/Benayoun/Silva/Kuyt/Aguero/
Damn it shoo many poshibilities NO!
June 20th, 2009 at 13:04
this guy may compete with gerrard for the best long range shots.perhaps he even mayb better than him at executing howlers