What Would This Super Free Agent Bring To Liverpool?

Passion, Intensity and Composure – Things Victor Valdes would bring to the Liverpool side

The summer of 2014 has been a very productive one for all Liverpool fans. The arrival of 9 new faces has instilled among the fans optimism along with excitement. However, despite nearly buying himself a whole new starting 11, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hasn’t yet finished signing on new faces.

Reports in the last couple of days have stated that the Reds are very close to signing free-agent Victor Valdes after having rumoured to have agreed personal terms with the former Barcelona goal-keeper.

For long, Rodgers has emphasized on the importance of having competition for places among players in the squad. While the Ulsterman has signed on abundance of squad depth in his 9 new players, there has been 1 position the former Swansea boss has been searching cover for, for quite some time. Despite signing Simon Mignolet at the start of last season as his number 1 goal-keeper, the Northern Irishman has been searching for a competitive back-up keeper for the last couple of seasons. The departure of Pepe Reina to Bayern Munich paved the way for a new goalkeeper at Melwood. And if reports are to be believed to be true, Victor Valdes might just be the last new face Rodgers’ spoke about after the Spurs game.

What would the Spaniard add to the current Reds side?

Besides the obvious quality depth and abundance of experience, it’s the intensity and character with which Valdes goes about his business that will impress Rodgers in particular. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, Valdes would provide Rodgers with the option of almost playing as a sweeper behind the Reds back-four. Thus, affecting better distribution and quicker recycling of possession than usual.  A very passionate footballer – Valdes wears his heart on his sleeve whenever he takes the pitch. Vocal on the pitch and an admirer of the Liverpool boss’ methods off it, Valdes is the perfect fit for a Reds side searching for top-notch competition for first-choice shot-stopper Victor Valdes.

Valdes has played no fewer than 535 first-team games, 125 more than Barcelona’s former goalkeeping appearance record holder, Andoni Zubizaretta, with 410. During that time, Valdes has collected 6 league titles, 2 Copas del Rey, 6 Spanish Super-cups, 3 Champions League titles, 2 UEFA Super Cups and 2 FIFA Club World Cups. Although not first-choice for Spain, he was a squad member of the Spanish World Cup-winning side of 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.

Having missed out on Michel Vorm (who moved to Tottenham) and Alex McCarthy (who moved to QPR) earlier this window, Liverpool have gone right after their man irrespective of the transfer window. The fact that Valdes is a free-agent leaves the deal hanging in the balance at the convenience of either party. Still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Valdes is expected to appear for a medical sometime in October and only then, will the deal be made official.

Over 500 appearances for the Catalans, 3 Champions League winners medal – Victor Valdes is coming to Liverpool and Simon Mignolet better tighten his shoelaces as this is going to be a race for number 1.