Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sampdoria Defender Reto Ziegler Tipped For Surprise Premier League Return With Liverpool If They Can Meet £8.5m Asking Price



Reto Ziegler could be poised for a surprise Premier League return with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez seeing the Sampdoria man as a solution to his problems at left-back.

Benitez reportedly covets the former Tottenham Hotspur player’s versatility since Ziegler is also an effective attacker who can be deployed as a left winger.

Reports of the move first surfaced in the Italian press, but the Daily Mail adds that Benitez faces competition from a several European clubs and a price tag of £8.5 million could put Liverpool out of the running.

New Juventus boss Luigi Del Neri, who has just left Sampdoria, is apparently keen to take Ziegler with him to Turin. Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina are also said to have had talks with the player's agent.

Since leaving Tottenham Hotspur three years ago, 24-year-old Ziegler has grown in stature at Sampdoria after unremarkable loan stints at Hamburg SV and Wigan Athletic.

The former Grasshoppers Zurich player initially impressed at White Hart Lane under Jacques Santini and Martin Jol in his first season, walking away with a young player of the year award at only 18.

Ziegler moved to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2005 and featured in 11 league and three UEFA Cup games but was criticised by manager Thomas Doll for his poor attitude.

A further loan move to Wigan during the 2005-2006 season saw five Premier League starts and some solid yet unspectacular performances.

Ziegler returned to Spurs for the 2006-2007 season but only featured in four games and first joined Sampdoria on loan in January 2007.

He cemented a first-team place during the 2009-10 season and is now first-choice left back at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

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