On the first anniversary of the day Fernando Torres arrived at Anfield in a record-breaking £28million deal, manager Rafael Benitez has hailed the potential of a player who cost the club nothing.
Defender Philipp Degen has been signed on a Bosman deal from Borussia Dortmund and met his new team-mates at Melwood for the first time yesterday.
The Swiss international has become Liverpool’s first official signing of the summer after putting pen to paper on a four year-deal.
He had been offered a new deal by the German side, but was keen to test himself in the Premier League with Liverpool.
Benitez is delighted to have added to his squad a player who won three league titles and a domestic cup winner’s medal during his time at first club Basel and believes the added strength in depth will give added momentum to the drive for the Premier League title in the new season.
“We were working to try and find this kind of player in the full-back position with the ability to push forward, so I think he is a good signing,” explained Benitez.
“It was another good acquisition through the scouting department because it is another Bosman player.
“The season before last we were watching him and we knew he would be a good addition. But we made our move this year because it was a better situation in terms of the contracts, so it was straightforward.”
Benitez has been linked with a number of wide players during the transfer window, but he believes Degen’s abilities will add a natural width to the side.
He said: “He’s very strong. He likes to go forward; he’s very offensive and will give us options on the right-hand side.
“People talk about wingers but he will give us width from thefull-back area and that is important too.”
Degen may find his way to the first team obstructed by the likes of Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa, but Benitez is delighted to have added further competition for places.
“It is important for me to have one, two or even three players who can play in one position or different positions and compete for their place,” he explained.
Liverpool have made an early start to their preparations for the new season – with the exception of those involved in Euro 2008 – and the manager has been encouraged by the reaction of the players at the end of their first week.
“The commitment of the players is fantastic,” he said. “Sometimes you need to stop them because they play with a very high tempo.”
On the prospects for Spain’s Euro 2008 match-winner Torres in his second season in the Premier League, Benitez is confident he can have an equally stunning impact as last time round.
“Everyone knows he has been fantastic for us,” he said.
“We have our good memories about the day he arrived and how well he has done. I am really, really happy with him and hopefully he will be even better next season – if that is possible.”
Liverpool start their pre-season schedule with a match at Wirral neighbours Tranmere next week, with Benitez adding: “The first game is always important. It will be close to our people and interesting for Merseyside, so we will try to do well.”
Defender Philipp Degen has been signed on a Bosman deal from Borussia Dortmund and met his new team-mates at Melwood for the first time yesterday.
The Swiss international has become Liverpool’s first official signing of the summer after putting pen to paper on a four year-deal.
He had been offered a new deal by the German side, but was keen to test himself in the Premier League with Liverpool.
Benitez is delighted to have added to his squad a player who won three league titles and a domestic cup winner’s medal during his time at first club Basel and believes the added strength in depth will give added momentum to the drive for the Premier League title in the new season.
“We were working to try and find this kind of player in the full-back position with the ability to push forward, so I think he is a good signing,” explained Benitez.
“It was another good acquisition through the scouting department because it is another Bosman player.
“The season before last we were watching him and we knew he would be a good addition. But we made our move this year because it was a better situation in terms of the contracts, so it was straightforward.”
Benitez has been linked with a number of wide players during the transfer window, but he believes Degen’s abilities will add a natural width to the side.
He said: “He’s very strong. He likes to go forward; he’s very offensive and will give us options on the right-hand side.
“People talk about wingers but he will give us width from thefull-back area and that is important too.”
Degen may find his way to the first team obstructed by the likes of Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa, but Benitez is delighted to have added further competition for places.
“It is important for me to have one, two or even three players who can play in one position or different positions and compete for their place,” he explained.
Liverpool have made an early start to their preparations for the new season – with the exception of those involved in Euro 2008 – and the manager has been encouraged by the reaction of the players at the end of their first week.
“The commitment of the players is fantastic,” he said. “Sometimes you need to stop them because they play with a very high tempo.”
On the prospects for Spain’s Euro 2008 match-winner Torres in his second season in the Premier League, Benitez is confident he can have an equally stunning impact as last time round.
“Everyone knows he has been fantastic for us,” he said.
“We have our good memories about the day he arrived and how well he has done. I am really, really happy with him and hopefully he will be even better next season – if that is possible.”
Liverpool start their pre-season schedule with a match at Wirral neighbours Tranmere next week, with Benitez adding: “The first game is always important. It will be close to our people and interesting for Merseyside, so we will try to do well.”
No comments:
Post a Comment