Liverpool are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, as per reports.
The Reds are readying a £45 million bid for the 22-year old Spanish International, as per Marca (published on Liverpool’s media watch section).
The Galacticos midfielder was an integral part of the Spain under-21 team that lifted the European under-21 Championship title last month, but hasn’t settled at the Bernabeu yet.
Ceballos managed two goals and two assists in five appearances for the Spanish under-21s, and also registered a pass success rate of 90.1%, impressing everyone with his displays in the tournament.
The Spaniard managed to make 34 appearances for the capital club, scoring three goals and providing two assists across all competitions last season.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of signing the 22-year old Spaniard.
PROS
The midfielder has good passing and dribbling ability, and he’ll offer something different to the likes of Ale Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
A system like Klopp’s could very well exploit the abilities of the young talent, who thrives in an attacking and aggressive set-up, something that was evident during his Real Betis days.
The Spaniard’s does mix caution with aggression, though, and his work-rate will hold him in good stead if he moves to Liverpool. Ceballos managed 1.4 tackles per game on an average in the Primera Liga last season, so he can put a foot in when needed.
This Liverpool side, who defend and attack in large numbers, will only improve with Ceballos’ addition.
CONS
However, like any other young player out there, the Spanish midfielder has his own weaknesses.
One of them is holding onto the ball for too long, which usually ends up with him giving possession away.
Ceballos’ finishing and crossing in the final third isn’t something to boast about either, and he must work on those in the training ground if he wants to take his game to the next level.
The Spaniard stands in at 5ft 9in, but isn’t the strongest when it comes to aerial duels. His average aerial duels won per game stood at a paltry 0.3 in all competitions last season.
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt, Whoscored