Liverpool targets Kone and Thuram would suit the club perfectly
Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram are both renowned for their pressing, energy and quality in the final third and would suit Liverpool perfectly… but who are the two targets and what else would they bring?
- Liverpool are eyeing up summer moves for Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram
- Both midfielders would inject energy and more quality into Jurgen Klopp’s side
- Here, Mail Sport has taken a closer look at the two targets and their strengths
As Liverpool’s aging midfield creaked and threatened to give way, Jurgen Klopp found a handy solution to many of his problems. Trent Alexander-Arnold was moved into the centre, allowing his quarterback-like passing to shine through.
This proved to be the catalyst for the club’s unlikely charge back toward the Champions League spots and although the late push was ultimately was in vain, it showcased a promising way forward. But despite this, signings here are crucial.
Alexis Mac Allister arrived from Brighton and will bring about much-needed attacking thrust from a deeper position, and he will not be the only addition.
Indeed, Mail Sport has reported Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone and Nice’s Khephren Thuram are on their shortlist. Both would represent shrewd incomings and potentially allow Klopp to free the shackles in the centre of the pitch.
Introducing a more youthful edge to such a key department will stand Liverpool in good stead and the refresh is already in full swing. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all leave when their deals expire at the end of the month.
Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram (pictured) is on Liverpool’s shortlist this summer
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone (right) is also a target for boss Jurgen Klopp
Klopp’s side stuttered last season and missed out on Champions League football as a result
Thuram has certainly been tracked while club figures have discussed the potential signing of Kone. L’Equipe have reported negotiations have begun over a deal for the former, with the wage bill having been lowered by the imminent departures.
There are high expectations for Thuram, the son of legendary defender Lillian and brother to Monchengladbach winger Marcus. Clearly, football runs through his veins.
Kone, meanwhile, joined Monchengladbach in January 2021 and has gone on to make 60 appearances for the Bundesliga club, scoring four goals.
A fee of between £35million and £40m has been touted, which Liverpool should be able to afford. Considering his lofty talent, they would be wise to meet the price tag.
While Kone is the more defensive minded of the duo and an adept passer from deep, Thuram more than matches him in many departments and even excels in others.
As per Delphlyx, Kone and Thuram read the game intelligently and possess high successful pass percentages, both of which are key in the Premier League.
More precisely, Thuram’s stands at 87.47 per cent while Kone’s is 86.02 per cent.
Mac Allister will inject drive and ingenuity to unlock stubborn defences and Kone and Thuram, with their defensive instincts and abilities, would balance this out.
Kone in particular was described as a ‘one-man army in midfield’ by scout Jacek Kulig, with his performance against Bayern Munich earlier this year praised.
The eventual Bundesliga champions were put to the sword by Monchengladbach, thanks in part to Kone’s superb individual showing. A composed display saw him achieve 95 per cent pass accuracy and emerge victories from 14 of his 19 duels.
Data also shows he is energetic both on and off the ball. He averages 8.70 ball recoveries in matches, making him the perfect fit for Liverpool’s counter-pressing.
Kone is the more defensive-minded player out of the two but is an adept passer from deep
Thuram shines in possession and has impressed in Ligue 1 with his powerful drives up the pitch
A jack of all trades, Kone has quality in possession and is relentless in harrying opponents and then emerging with the ball. Crucially, he can also break lines.
Most of his passes are short and the majority of his touches take place in the middle third of the pitch, underlining exactly where he orchestrates games.
He is a progressive ball carrier and this dynamism will go down a treat at Anfield.
Intriguingly, his attacking action average is only slightly behind Thuram’s, who shines in possession. Thuram has thrust himself into the spotlight through his powerful, daring runs up the pitch and he is especially keen to play on the front foot.
A right-footed midfielder, he can operate either as a number eight or in a deeper, more defensive role. This versatility would benefit many of Liverpool’s tactical ideas.
For most of his career, Thuram has been fielded as a number eight down the inside left channel, with many of his progressive passes and movements coming here. A trademark of his game sees him move fluidly from deep into the final third.
Despite standing at an imposing 6ft 4ins, Thuram is able to glide beyond his opponents with relative ease, perfectly complimenting his swaggering nature.
Thuram (right) typically glides beyond opponents with progressive runs and also passes well
Kone is aggressive in forcing transitions and, perhaps crucially, is close friends with Thuram
He has also attracted plaudits for his good decision-making. Just by making his usual runs, he creates space for team-mates and offers them differing angles to attack.
Just like Kone, Thuram is similarly aggressive in forcing transitions.
There is little need to overhaul the way Liverpool play, with the drop-off last season stemming from tired legs and weary minds. With a number of fresh faces set to breathe new life into Klopp’s ranks, the difference should be staggering.
It may also help that Kone and Thuram are close friends. Pertinently, they may be set for a reunion under the famous stands at Anfield, a far cry from their humble beginnings on the books at AC Boulogne-Billancourt and France’s youth teams.
‘Khephren is a brother by blood,’ Kone told French TV earlier this year.
‘He is my football pal. Before the selections, we were always together.’
Perhaps they are destined to fight side by side again, just now in the red of Liverpool.
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