Darren Bent To Liverpool: The Big Move He Deserves Or Another Misfire For Kenny?

But therein lies another concern; can a big fish in a small pond make the transition to choppier and more competitive waters without ill effect? Bent’s most fruitful periods have come about while he has been the main man up top – at Villa, Sunderland and previously at Charlton – playing centre stage, week in week out. The one time in his career in which he has faced real competition for places was in his ill-fated spell at Spurs.

Statistically, his two seasons at White Hart Lane look reasonable value – eight from 36 and 17 from 43 – but in truth, he didn’t make a significant impression on the starting eleven, often more so on the subs bench in favour of Dimitar Berbatov and compatriot Jermaine Defoe.

One hot-headed tweet too many saw him shipped out to Steve Bruce’s side shortly after. With competition at Liverpool at least as intense, would an older and perhaps wiser Bent be in better shape to cope with rotation and team tinkering?

One area in which Bent does fit is in King Kenny’s wider plan to implement a British spine to the club. With Adam, Bellamy, Downing, Henderson and Carroll, the Liverpool manager has aired his penchant for a homegrown base to his side; as well as his willingness to pay top dollar for them. If figures are to be believed, the final three on that list joined for a combined total of over £70m.

For the £20m+ fee Bent is likely to command from Villa, there are certainly more economical options abroad. It’s an interesting point particularly given that in Suarez, Liverpool’s most effective signing in recent times had been a foreigner. It’s about more than passports; a player from a different league and footballing mantra can inject something different into a side in a creative rut. And isn’t that where this Liverpool side has struggled most of late?

For our money, Bent is a steady choice likely to do well in more sophisticated environs than those in which he currently finds himself in Aston. But as for a real game changer? More affordable, and dare we say it, exciting options undoubtedly lie elsewhere.

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