For some bizarre reason, Liverpool have decided that it's high time to jettison Lucas Leiva from their squad. He was left out of the team in their season opener against Stoke, and didn't get a lot of playing time during their preseason. After more than a year's worth of off-and-on transfer rumors, it seems it's finally time for Lucas to leave.
Liverpool outcast Lucas Leiva linked to West Ham move
After being left out of Liverpool’s squad in their season-opening match, the Brazilian midfielder seems to be headed out the door at Anfield.
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Liverpool's one true defensive midfielder, Lucas has spent most of the last three years either ignored by Brendan Rodgers, played as something other than a defensive midfielder, or hurt. Once one of the best defensive midfielders in England, a serious knee injury cost him almost a year of his career, and the sometimes-bizarre and often-changing tactical approach of Rodgers left Lucas with a limited role when he was finally fully healthy again.
For whatever reason, Rodgers doesn't prioritize Lucas' defense-first approach in midfield, so Lucas is on the market -- and West Ham are interested. Currently dealing with a gaping hole in their squad at defensive midfield, West Ham are desperate to add a quality player before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month. Lucas would seem to be a good fit for Slaven Bilic's squad, so the rumor is worth serious consideration.
Why it makes sense
Lucas seems to have no real place in Liverpool’s side right now, and at 28, in the prime of his career, Lucas isn’t a player who’s going to want to sit around on a bench doing nothing. He wants to play, and play at a high level. West Ham want to make a serious push up the Premier League table, and their dire need for a quality defensive midfielder -- they’ve had to play a 16 year old there in their league opener and Europa League qualifiers -- means that Lucas makes a lot of sense for the London club.
Even beyond the “West Ham are screwed at the position” angle, though, Lucas is a solid fit. His technical style of playing as a defensive midfielder without relying on overt physicality is a strong fit for how Bilic likes his deeper midfielders to play, but Lucas can still be physical enough to hang with some of the tough guys who patrol English midfields.
There’s also a logistical sense to doing the move now -- with only two years left on Lucas’ contract, Liverpool would need to sell him this summer or be forced to sell him in a cut-rate deal next year before losing him on a free transfer later. Liverpool make a lot of money, but aren’t quite in the same bracket as the other giants of English football in terms of their income, so they can’t afford to waste value like that.
Why it doesn’t make sense
Those injuries mentioned earlier sapped Lucas of his once-explosive first step, which has left him unable to reach quite the same heights of quality he once possessed. He’s still an excellent defensive midfielder, make no mistake, and he’s largely adapted his game to deal with not having that kind of burst available. But against elite competition, not having it can leave him vulnerable against quicker attackers.
While West Ham are likely not concerned about that in the shot term -- they just need someone better and more experienced than teenaged Reece Oxford to rely on -- it could leave them searching for another midfielder within a year or two if they successfully climb the table and try to mount a challenge for Champions League places.
There’s also the sheer bizarre nature of Liverpool dumping their one actual defensive midfielder. Brendan Rodgers seems unconcerned about losing that kind of skill set from his available group of players, but it seems shortsighted to take that option away when it’s likely to be needed with some frequency this season.
Likelihood it happens
It’s still mystifying to see Liverpool ditch Lucas considering his unique qualities that the squad will need. But they’re willing to get rid of him and West Ham need him desperately, so we’re going to rate the chance of this happening a 7/10.
This is a post from our transfer rumors section. For news, analysis and more, check out the main SB Nation Soccer page.
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