Written by Matt_G-Freebody for FootballFancast.com: Since the start of the season and during the January transfer window there were stories linking the out of favour Manchester City winger, Shaun Wright-Phillips with a move to Liverpool. Although the Reds are enjoying a revival under Kenny Dalglish, there are bound to be transfer targets for the club come the summer – would SWP prove to be value for money?
The career of Wright-Phillips has been an interesting one to date. Since bursting onto the scene with City at the start of the decade, Wright-Phillips quickly shrugged off any comparison to his famous father figure by making a name for himself as a tricky right winger. In the last season of his first spell at City, he scored 10 goals in 34 league games, his best record to date and it earned him a big money move to Chelsea.
Although making a number of appearances, and in addition earning a few winners’ medals, he never established himself as a first team regular for the Blues and eventually returned to City. However, while the big money signings and ambitions at Chelsea may have stifled his first team ambitions, the same thing has happened now at City.
Now at 29 years of age, SWP could do with one last move to finish his career on a flourish rather than warming up the subs bench. Could Liverpool be the right club for him? Possibly, as the Reds would need more creativity in their team, especially on the wing. He would provide decent competition for Dirk Kuyt, or allow the Dutchman to move up front.
However, if NESV are to use their ‘money ball’ approach used in baseball, then the signing of SWP would not make sense, as he is over the age of 27 and would not have a significant re-sale value. Although football is entirely different from the economics used in baseball and American sport in general, whilst the signings of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez were long term solutions – it would make sense for the Reds to make some short term solutions for an immediate impact.
It would be value for money as the transfer rumours back in January were linking the player to the Anfield club for around the £4 million mark, which wouldn’t break the bank. Plus Wright-Phillips is now an experienced winger whose dribbling and pace can cause teams problems, as well as being an excellent provider of crosses for the likes of Carroll to attack.
On the other hand, NESV and Liverpool fans may disagree with the signing of SWP if they want to challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, it certainly wouldn’t match their ambitions. But perhaps Wright-Phillips needs to be given a chance to prove his worth at a top Premier League club and under the guise of Dalglish, he could be the right man to get the best out of the winger.
Alternatively, Liverpool may look elsewhere for a younger winger with more potential and a longer term investment. In that case, SWP should look elsewhere if he’s to finish off his career with an impact, although recent reports indicate that he’s determined to stay at City and break into the first team, but it just sounds like déjà-vu to me.
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Join the fantasy football revolution – for FREE with ThisisFutbol.com. Click here!
He is shit… end of story
I have to reply, your bluntness made me laugh
I dont need to read anymore comments after this one because I agree
could not have said it any better!!!
Are you Shaun Wright Phillips agent by any chance
He’s nearly 30! Were only buying young players under 26 with a sell on value if we choose….No
why? we have new owners, new aspirations. we dont need another expensive has been (joe cole). young, up and coming players not overrated overpaid underachievers
Michael or Adam Johnson maybe … but SWP – please no!
Can you say ‘Joe Cole Mk2’?!
No thanks. No room for brainless speedsters at our club and soon he wont even have his speed to look half-decent.
These guys may not see what you are saying but I do. You need some people who will do the job straight away not needing a season to bed in. I think SWP would be a great signing he must have 3 years in him doesn’t need time to adapt and we know what we will be getting on a regular basis.
Gerrard is now 30 does that mean he’s useless?? you need a balance between youth and experience.
If we can get him for £1mil and use him in the carling cup.
joe cole is no worse and micheal johnson no way but adam johnson is class left back and a winger sell soto,skrtel and buy ramos or quality like hime
Curious article! Doesn’t really say anything other than swp could join liverpool, or he could stay at city, or if he leaves city and Liverpool don’t want him then he’ll have to move somewhere else. Very insightful.
er how about no! Adam johnson is the guy to buy from man city if it could be done.
why would liverpool want this guy he is to over rated< we want player with skills lets not buy another make weight who may do a job. buy the real thing we have better young players than this guy.
I don’t think LFC is stupid enough to buy SWP..end of story…
The only way this would be worth it would be a Free transfer and his wages down to Youth team level.
If this was the case then maybe
Howver as others have said we wnat/need younger faster better players than SWP is now.
Yet if you have a time machine and get the SWP from arouns 6 – 8 years ago then yes, I’d gladly have him.
are you having a laugh,the guy is shit
No chance at all. Liverpool should look elsewhere. We don’t need him at Liverpool FC. Who suggested him in the first place?
too old and rejected us before. stuff him. and even if he was on a cheap transfer, he’d want a hefty salary and i’d rather see chances be given to Suso/Pachecho than this money grabber.
Your having a laugh. hes muck
Your having a laugh. He’s muck