Taye Taiwo: Liverpool Step Up Chase for African Powerhouse After Aurelio Injury
Injury to Fabio Aurelio has led to Rafa Benitez stepping up his pursuit of Marseille’s powerful left-back Taye Taiwo. Aurelio seriously injured his knee while playing football on holiday in Brazil with his family and may be out until 2010 according to reports.
Taiwo issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Premier League big four at the end of last season which alerted Liverpool who are in the hunt to add a left-sided defender following the disappointing performance of Andrea Dossena last season. The Italian is expected to be offloaded to Juventus this summer leaving the club having to rely on Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua unless someone is brought in. Glen Johnson has already been brought to Anfield and if Taiwo can be signed, it 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 faces the exit door. Fabio Aurelio performed well towards the end of the season although there are still a few question marks over his defensive and attacking qualities. Young Argentine Emiliano Insua shown potential when given the chance, however, 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 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: Fabio Aurelio, Liverpool, Man City, Marseille, Nigeria, Taye Taiwo, Tottenham
July 9th, 2009 at 08:11
i would love us to sign this guy he looks a class act. the problem is do we have the fund, whilst i do think he is better than our other options at left back; escpecially with aurleio injured, i think that he need a back up striker for torres and another creative player for the left (preferably one who can also cover for gerrard in the middle)as well as a 4th choice CB (if none of the youngsters are up to it)
July 9th, 2009 at 08:37
The best way to improve the team is by improving the starters i think he would be an improvement at left back so of course it is a sensible signing.
But how long is his contract for and how much will he cost?
July 9th, 2009 at 08:42
I do like the player reports on this site.
However I feel this would be a real kick in the teeth to the youth system that it doesn’t need at the moment with Raffa taking full control of the set up. It would be saying even if you are good enough, which I believe is the general consensus on Insua, I won’t trust you and will buy in your position.
July 9th, 2009 at 09:05
I think we should buy him, because he will bring quality and he is also very attractive player. It means show time !!!
July 9th, 2009 at 09:09
I’ve been living in France for a while now and get to watch marseille fairly often and i can tell you he’s a fabulous player, would be fantastic at Liverool. Over here the fans would be gutted if he left. I imagine would cost about £10 mill, at 24yrs old well worth it. I really like insua but having the to fighting for a place would be great, Taiwo can also play left mid so not unrealistic that the two could play together.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:01
I think it would be perfect with a full back who can attack like this and shoot from a distance it would be perfect.
Plus we don’t need a class striker to partner up with Torres we already got the greatest attacking pair in the world in Torres and Gerrard. Vorin just came back from loan and he fits perfect as a sub who still can decide a match when he is shifted of the bench.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:33
He’d be a good buy.
I don’t buy into this ‘go with youth regardless’ policy. I’ve seen Insua on a few occasions and he isn’t that good. His marking was attrocious at times last season and his defending in general isn’t that great. Nor are his forays down the wing. If Rafa gets Taiwo then it will be because Taiwo is better than Insua - nothing else.
Sell Dosenna for 6mill then as well.
July 9th, 2009 at 21:31
I reckon he is a top class defender and a attacker as i so him play against us in da champions league group stages & he was really gud i tld myt m8s dat Rafa shud buy dis guy & all my m8s sed da same…
July 20th, 2009 at 00:03
Hey this is a very interesting article! Thanks!