da jogodeouro： According to reports from The Telegraph, Liverpool are eyeing Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the summer transfer window.
What’s the word?
da poker： Whilst Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez’s contract situations may be dominating column inches this season, they’re not the only players facing uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium. Just like the Gunners’ talismanic duo, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also yet to have their contracts renewed before the end of next season, meaning both they and the club could have some huge decisions to make this summer.
The Premier League’s top clubs rarely pass up the chance to sign an England international and it seems Liverpool are keen on Oxlade-Chamberlain, who hasn’t quite reached the levels heralded of him when he moved to north London from Southampton as a youngster. However, there are some obstacles to overcome, not least including his £35million price-tag.
“I personally think it is vital that Chamberlain stays at Arsenal. We bought him when he was very young, we have built him up and I think he has a great mentality.I like his mentality and he has a good football brain. It would be a big damage for us to lose this kind of player.”
Is Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to leave?
Just a matter of days ago, Arsene Wenger described it as ‘vital’ for the midfielder to stay at Arsenal, but that’s somewhat contradicted by The Telegraph’s claims that the north London club are yet to open talks over a new deal, with their attentions firmly focused on Ozil and Sanchez. Negotiations over a new contract are now expected in the summer – but the fact team-mates are being prioritised above him may well force Oxlade-Chamberlain to assess his options.
Especially when coupled with his limited involvement in the Premier League this season, making more substitute appearances than starts despite Arsenal languishing in sixth place, and the 23-year-old’s reduced participation within the England fold. He’s already earned 25 caps for the Three Lions but just one of those have come since the end of 2015, with Oxlade-Chamberlain starting England’s last World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
An equally important question is whether anybody would be prepared to meet Arsenal’s apparent £35million valuation. Even in the context of inflated price-tags for English players, that’s rather steep for a player in the final year of his contract, who has made just twelve Premier League starts throughout 2016/17. But the Telegraph claim Liverpool are confident of driving down that valuation.
Would Liverpool be the best move for him?
Now aged 23, it’s imperative Oxlade-Chamberlain starts coming good on his obvious potential. Powerful, quick, skillful – if somewhat inconsistent – and coming to the end of his strongest season in terms of goals with six, the England international offers plenty of appealing traits, even if he hasn’t found the best way to combine them all just yet. He’s also quite experienced for his age, with 230 club appearances under his belt already.
The real question is what position best suits Oxlade-Chamberlain. He’s spent most of his Arsenal career on the wing but has often been tipped for more central roles, either as a box-to-box midfielder or a No.10 just behind the striker.
The box-to-box role would certainly be of interest to Jurgen Klopp, who has utilised Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum almost as double No.8s this season. Perhaps more importantly, Liverpool play the kind of counter-attacking football Oxlade-Chamberlain is built for, hitting teams with immense power and pace on the break.
Likewise, Klopp’s record of reinventing English players is growing; Jordan Henderson has excelled in holding midfield, Adam Lallana in a slightly deeper role and James Milner at left-back this season. Clearly a huge talent, Klopp could be the man to find Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ultimate position and bring the best out of the struggling Arsenal ace.