Why Liverpool should consider a move for Davinson Sanchez
According to Spanish outlet Don Balon (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have made contact with 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Davinson Sanchez. Despite making 126 appearances for Spurs since joining them from Ajax in 2017, Sanchez has largely remained third in Spurs’ pecking order. Spurs paid £42million for him in the summer of 2017. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
Profile
Born in 1996 in Colombia, Davinson Sanchez made his senior debut for Colombian club Atletico Nacional in 2013. After making 45 appearances for Nacional, the centre-back was brought to the Netherlands in 2016 by Ajax.
Sanchez caught the eye of other European clubs after just one impressive season for the Eredivise club, as he starred in a team that made the 2017 UEFA Europa League final. Tottenham Hotspur were the first to believe the hype, as they signed him in 2017. Sanchez has since gone on to make 126 appearances for the Lilywhites.
Sanchez can solve the injury problem that Liverpool face
Liverpool have been rocked with injuries this season. The Reds will miss star defender Virgil van Dijk for a while after the Dutchman picked up a serious ACL injury. Joe Gomez will also face extended time on the sidelines after a knee injury on international duty for England. Joel Matip has hardly been a regular feature for the Reds in the last one year.
Amongst this uncertainty, Jurgen Klopp would look to bolster his defensive ranks instead of relying on inexperienced youngsters. The Reds are targeting back-to-back Premier League titles and a 7th Champions League crown. To compete on these fronts, Liverpool will need quality and depth in their defence.
Davinson Sanchez is still just 24 and has plenty of top-flight experience in three different leagues including the Premier League. The Colombian has also won 31 caps for his national team. Racking up impressive stats at the tender age of 24, the centre-back would only get better as he gains more experience and enters his prime.
After the tragic 3-3 draw in the league against West Ham in October, Sanchez has lost the faith of Jose Mourinho, who has completely dropped the Colombian from his league squad since then. Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld seem to be Mourinho’s go-to men at the back.
In light of the above statements, Sanchez would definitely be getting more game time in an injury-stricken Liverpool side. Not only that, but his impressive displays at both Ajax and Spurs would assure Liverpool that they are getting a quality addition to the squad who can also challenge for consistent starts even when Gomez and Van Dijk are back.
Verdict
In a congested fixture list for clubs across Europe, teams would not be readily willing to part with their defenders.
Convincing them would require meeting their asking price, and if Liverpool are smart, they can use the current situation of Sanchez at Spurs to their advantage.
