Liverpool should bid for Yves Bissouma the moment Brighton go down. The Seagulls are in the relegation mix this season.
Clubs are going to eye-up Brighton players this summer. Even more if they go down – it’s been that kind of season.
Brighton are actually a really good side, after all. They’re eighth for xG this season, while their ‘expected goal difference’ paints a great picture.
It takes the quality of the chances you create and takes away the quality of the chances you give up. The resulting number should tell you where your goal difference should be, if your players were average finishers.
Top of this stat is Manchester City, then Chelsea, then Liverpool, then Brighton. They’re fourth.
But in the actual table, they’re 16th. This is a team that creates great chances every week and limits their opponents opportunities.
Together, they’re doing this to a top-four level and yet, they’re battling relegation. It’s quite bizarre – they just can’t score goals.
But from an outside perspective, this is very interesting. A genuinely good team with quality players may go down. And that offers an opportunity.
Yves Bissouma
Goal claims Liverpool Yves Bissouma and could bid this summer. In fact, if Brighton do go down, they should make an immediate offer.
Bissouma is still just 24 but plays like a fantastic Premier League midfielder.
He has the 8th-most combined tackles and interceptions in the league, while he’s 11th for successful presses. That’s a very Liverpool-style midfield player.
Bissouma is great at winning the ball back and can play a high-energy pressing game. What more could Liverpool want?
Well, someone who’s comfortable in possession. Bissouma is 38th for pass-completion, which actually puts him ahead of Jordan Henderson, to our surprise.
He can sweep up in midfield, too – 17th for loose ball recoveries. That’s ideal for a team looking to press high and force opponents into clearances.
ESPN had Bissouma’s price at £30m earlier in the year. Relegation could sink that lower. Given all that he offers – combined with a need to replace Gini Wijnaldum – Liverpool shouldn’t hesitate here.
If Bissouma is available at a discount, move immediately.
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