4 days ago
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Robertson replacement?
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Bournemouth have proved themselves to be very astute in the transfer market in recent years. The Cherries signed centre-half Dean Huijsen for just €19.63m last summer - he has recently completed a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid for €62.5m. And the south coast club have now made significant profit on another defender this window, with left-back Milos Kerkez's move to Premier League champions Liverpool confirmed this Monday. The Hungarian was signed from AZ Alkmaar for just €17.87m in 2023, and now joins the Reds for a fee of €46.7m.
The 21-year-old returned from a holiday in Belgrade on Monday to complete his medical, and signs a five-year deal until June, 2030 at Anfield. Manchester City and Real Madrid had also shown great interest in the young defender. There's been plenty of talk about Liverpool replacing the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, but with Andy Robertson now 31 years of age, a new left-back was also a priority for the Reds this summer, and Kerkez ticks a lot of boxes.
Why Milos Kerkez could be the perfect Andy Robertson replacement
As illustrated above, the only U21 left-back in world football with a higher market value than Liverpool's new full-back Kerkez (€45m) is Barcelona's Alejandro Balde (€60m). The Hungarian has made huge strides in his two seasons in English football and has been invaluable to Bournemouth's recent progress. He has played 72 games for the Cherries, scoring twice and providing eight assists. And still at only 21 years of age, there is so much room for further development.
When Liverpool were at their best under Jürgen Klopp, left-back Roberston was a menace down the left-flank, full of energy, getting up and down and always offering an attacking option. Kerkez has a similar skillset. He is creative and possesses a mean left-foot whipped cross. He has the capability to parade the flank for the duration of the game. And he can beat a man on the ball and relieve pressure. Also a solid defender too. He had made more clearances and interceptions than Robertson in the Premier League last season, and won more aerial and ground duels than the Scot.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been pivotal in Kerkez's deveopment, and the Spaniard has always been full of praise for his left-back. "Milos has improved a lot from past season," Iraola explained. "He has done a great job defensively. I think he's a player that because of his physical condition arrives so many times to the last third with the ball under control to put good crosses that the number of assists, of good balls he was having, was quite low past season, but this season I think he's deciding much better. He's adding quality to his deliveries." Liverpool, and their forwards, will be hoping Kerkez's quality of delivery continues at Anfield. A player for the present and the future.
