Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Wesley Sneijder was once rated one of the best midfielders in world football.
He lit up the International scene with Holland and helped the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan to dominate midfields across their respective countries.
His range of passing, in combination with his composure, technical ability, passion and guile made him a real threat for opposition teams. He has that ability unique amongst football’s most vital talents, to pick apart a team at will. To find gaps that other players wouldn’t and to force the play when others just can’t.
It seems, however, that things have changed. Wesley Sneijder’s stock has plummeted. According to Italian source CalcioMercato, Liverpool are ready to make a move for him this summer. He’ll cost Brendan Rodgers side just £9.5m. That’s right – just £9.5m.
Of course, it would be bonkers for Inter to let the Dutchman go for that kind of price. The fact that Italian sources feel they can get away with positing these kind of figures, however, is testament to Wesley’s fall from grace.
He’s struggled to find his best form over the last 18 months, largely thanks to his injury problems. Whenever he seems to be on his way back to his best, another physical slight seems to strike.
As a result, he’s found himself somewhat surplus to requirements at the San Siro this season. After courting clubs like Manchester United at the height of his powers, I’m sure he’s now desperate to get out of Inter and re-establish himself.
Liverpool may make for an intriguing proposition. If he joined the Reds, he would be a big fish in a small (relatively speaking) pond. With Steven Gerrard beginning to fade, the Reds could use a talent like Sneijder to shake them out of their slumber. He would be a nailed on starter and has the ability to drive the Reds up the table and help them challenge for a fourth place finish.
He may well be enticed by the challenge and encouraged by the potential for regular first team football. Brendan Rodgers will have to persuade him to go without Champions League football, but may well be able to do so by pointing out that Premier League football is better than no football at all (as is the case for him currently with Inter Milan).
It strikes me as a move that would make sense for both parties. If Sneijder is willing to take a reasonable wage (a big if I’m sure) then I hope Brendan snaps him up. It’s about time we saw him in the Premier League.
What’s your take? Could Wesley Sneijder help Liverpool clamber back up the table?
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Where to start.
At 28 having signed a 5 yr deal in 2010, he will be earning Joe Cole type wages. A guaranteed starter at Liverpool, erm I think not, if you don’t earn your place you don’t play, (see Joe Cole above, who is currently behind two teenagers (Suso, Sterling) for a starting place (and a 21 yr old Shelvey).
Clearly Inter have made a major mistake by giving the Dutchman such a massive contract. This no doubt is a spurious story leaked by inter or the players agent.
The sad part in all this is, that certain players reach a level where they are able to get clubs to pay them more than they are worth, so when things don’t work out they are stuck, they are unable to play for the club cos they aint playing well enough and the player, who could perhaps revive his career in different surroundings, is “advised” to refuse to take a pay cut thereby damaging his career.
In Wesley’s case, we’ll talk again in 2015 when perhaps a more realistic transfer on more realistic wages can be discussed.
he doesn’t play for inter, he plays for shalke 04, he is out of contract in the summer so his cost will be £0
Harry Cloak, what sort of half arsed reporter are you with major errors like that.
even wiki isn’t that bad….
Err I think your thinking of Huntelaar mate, think you owe him an apology….