Why a Loan for Araujo Could Make Sense
There is optimism that a loan move for Araujo fits Liverpool’s short-term needs without blocking the pathway for younger centre-backs. It also offers a sensible way to plan for contracts running down.
A bit of discontent on about Araujo joining Liverpool FC, but I’m pretty optimistic about the arrangement. For me, a loan signing makes much more sense than a permanent one.
We have Van Dijk, our club captain who is seldom injured, and he will be a regular starter. Of course he is ageing, but he will have a point to prove this year, being in the final year of his contract with young challengers emerging. Gomez is back in a few weeks.
The centre-back picture and the long-term plan
We have signed a slew of young players that are to be integrated over the coming years. Two for big money, Jacquet and Leoni, and two more very bright prospects, Ndiaye and Ndujwe.
The future-proofing plan doesn’t stop there. Reports indicate that our plan next summer is to bring back Quansah for £52m, as was agreed in the sale deal to Leverkusen. Another full season in Germany and he can return a more mature player.
As stated, VVD is in the last year of his contract and may depart at the end of the year. Gomez is also in his final year and may leave. Quansah will likely replace one of those.
Short-term injuries and giving youngsters a chance
Regarding current injuries, Gomez will be back by the end of the month. Jacquet is close to a return, whilst Leoni will likely be out for another 2-3 months (guesstimate based on reports). Clearly we are light in the immediate short-term, but these players will be back soon, and will all want play time.
It should be a competitive environment, for sure, and hopefully one based on a meritocracy, now that Slot’s inexplicable continued use of Konate as first-choice is over.
I support the use of youth players as internal solutions for short-term injury crises and have no problem with Ndiaye being in our FT squad on the opening day if need be. These situations are exactly when young players should be given a chance to show what they can do. He has been assigned an ESC slot, which suggests he is our top young centre-back.
A shame Ndukwe has work permit issues. This is partly a result of Slot’s refusal to integrate youngsters last season, which led to us having less ESC slots to allocate. Bad planning there, and a mistake that would be repeated again if we resort to knee-jerk signings every time we get injuries.
Araujo: low risk, big upside
That brings us to Araujo. This guy can play CD and RB, is a Uruguayan international and was club captain at Barcelona as recently as January. He had some mental health struggles after making some errors and being crucified in the press, and as a result took a brief break from football, but he bounced back, returned to training and helped them to La Liga title.
His injury problems are exaggerated. He turned 27 in March and has made 305 career appearances to date (excluding internationals). Joe Gomez is a full two years older and has made 298.
The guy clearly decided he needs a change of scenery and is a low risk option. If it works out, we can snap him up for the 27/8 Season at a bargain price. As stated earlier, VVD and Gomez are in their final years. It is a great opportunity to find out if Araujo can step up and be a ready-made replacement.
I would add that I do not think Araujo is great at RB, he is a CD for me, and a good one, with potential to be very good indeed. I read a comment somewhere here about his lacking physicality, which made me laugh. Clearly whoever posted that has never watched him play. Araujo is a dominating CD in the Uruguayan tradition.
Given our problems with set pieces last season, he may prove himself to be just the man we need. If it doesn’t work out, no major financial loss.
VVD and Araujo as our pairing on the opening day, with Ndiaye on the bench. Gomez, Jacquet and Leoni emerging to stake their claims as the season progresses.
As well as wishing Araujo every success, I’m hoping some of the young lads can emerge as real stars over the coming years. Rather than being pessimistic and criticising players before they’ve even kicked a ball, I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do and cheering them on. Can’t wait for the season to start.
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