Name: Sardar Azmoun
Nationality: Iranian
Current Club: FK Rostov
Position: Striker
Height: 6’1
The 2016/17 season so far couldn’t have gone better for Liverpool. The Reds are at the top of the Premier League table after 11 matches and they have been playing some magical football. The Lallana, Mané, Coutinho, Firmino attacking quartet is in an incredible form and goals have been coming from other departments of the team as well. However, that won’t stop Jürgen Klopp to look for talented additions when the transfer window opens in January. Though, the German professedly not a fan of buying players in the middle of the season, Danny Ings’ long-term injury and Sadio Mané’s absence during the Africa Cup of Nations in January will probably force Klopp to do some business in the January transfer window.
As always, there are already several rumours flying around on social media about players that most probably won’t end up in Liverpool, but there is one player who indeed has raised Liverpool’s interest, according to some reliable journalists.
His name is Sardar Azmoun and he currently plays for FK Rostov in the Russian Premier Liga. The 21-year-old, Iranian striker has been monitored closely by LFC for a number of years now, according to Tony Barrett, football writer at Joe.co.uk, and now Klopp is eager to make a move for the talented attacker. “Liverpool are currently weighing up potential targets for January and Azmoun is understood to be among those under consideration, although a move in the summer may be more likely given Klopp’s preference to add another winger to his ranks,” wrote Barrett.
Azmoun started his football career at Sepahan FC, in Iran. In 2013, he caught the attention of Russian team, Rubin Kazan and was signed for their second team, but the following season he was included to Rubin’s first team and he debuted with a goal in the Europa League against Molde. In that season he also scored 4 goals and made 3 assists in the league. In February 2015, Rostov signed him on a 6-month loan deal, and in July 2015 they renewed the deal for an additional 6 months. Last season, he netted 9 goals and made 3 assists in 24 matches for Rostov, and eventually signed a permanent deal with the team on July 2016. This season, he has been more quiet. In 19 matches (in all competition) he scored 4 goals and made 2 assists. Additionally, Azmoun has already played 20 matches in the Iranian national team scoring 15 goals.
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Style, strength and weaknesses
Azmoun plays at centre forward in Rostov and he has all the necessary qualities to be a great striker. He has good speed and great dribbling skills, but most certainly his greatest strength at the moment is his aerial game. Although, he’s called “The Iranian Messi”, with 6’1 and great heading technique, he is more likely to be “The Iranian Lewandowski” and he already scored some spectacular headers for his team. Though, his main strength is going forward, he is not afraid of coming back to midfield and create space and chances for his teammates. He is also fast and can hit the opponent badly in counter-attack. With his skills and great work-ethic, he could be a great addition to the Liverpool squad and with only 21 years of age, Klopp and his backroom staff would have plenty of time to develop his skills.
In terms of weaknesses, most probably he would need to work on the physical side of his game. You can be fast, creative, great dribbler or a great finisher, if you don’t have the necessary physical strength, you won’t make it in the Premier League, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas were great examples of that, unfortunately.
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Overall
Azmoun certainly has a great potential and Klopp would be able to make the most out of his skills. He wouldn’t be too pricey either (transfermarkt.de values him at €7M) and at a young age he’d have time to settle in the team and develop.
However, as he is a natural centre forward, he’d be facing a stiff competition to get into the team as Sturridge and Origi are also eager to impress Klopp and get more playing time. Klopp is also supposed to be more interested in adding a wide attacker to his squad in January, as at the moment, Mané is the only player in the first team squad who plays in that position and he’ll miss some important matches during January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
All in all, Azmoun would be an interesting addition to this Liverpool team, however as things stand right now, next to Firmino, Sturridge and Origi, he’d be no more but a squad-player with limited playing time. Next summer, probably would be a better time to look at his situation and try to bring him in if the team will really need a new striker. For now, a pacey, “Mané-like” winger should be the priority for Klopp and his staff.
Written by Daniel Stemler
Nationality: Iranian
Current Club: FK Rostov
Position: Striker
Height: 6’1
The 2016/17 season so far couldn’t have gone better for Liverpool. The Reds are at the top of the Premier League table after 11 matches and they have been playing some magical football. The Lallana, Mané, Coutinho, Firmino attacking quartet is in an incredible form and goals have been coming from other departments of the team as well. However, that won’t stop Jürgen Klopp to look for talented additions when the transfer window opens in January. Though, the German professedly not a fan of buying players in the middle of the season, Danny Ings’ long-term injury and Sadio Mané’s absence during the Africa Cup of Nations in January will probably force Klopp to do some business in the January transfer window.
As always, there are already several rumours flying around on social media about players that most probably won’t end up in Liverpool, but there is one player who indeed has raised Liverpool’s interest, according to some reliable journalists.
His name is Sardar Azmoun and he currently plays for FK Rostov in the Russian Premier Liga. The 21-year-old, Iranian striker has been monitored closely by LFC for a number of years now, according to Tony Barrett, football writer at Joe.co.uk, and now Klopp is eager to make a move for the talented attacker. “Liverpool are currently weighing up potential targets for January and Azmoun is understood to be among those under consideration, although a move in the summer may be more likely given Klopp’s preference to add another winger to his ranks,” wrote Barrett.
Azmoun started his football career at Sepahan FC, in Iran. In 2013, he caught the attention of Russian team, Rubin Kazan and was signed for their second team, but the following season he was included to Rubin’s first team and he debuted with a goal in the Europa League against Molde. In that season he also scored 4 goals and made 3 assists in the league. In February 2015, Rostov signed him on a 6-month loan deal, and in July 2015 they renewed the deal for an additional 6 months. Last season, he netted 9 goals and made 3 assists in 24 matches for Rostov, and eventually signed a permanent deal with the team on July 2016. This season, he has been more quiet. In 19 matches (in all competition) he scored 4 goals and made 2 assists. Additionally, Azmoun has already played 20 matches in the Iranian national team scoring 15 goals.
Embed from Getty Images
Style, strength and weaknesses
Azmoun plays at centre forward in Rostov and he has all the necessary qualities to be a great striker. He has good speed and great dribbling skills, but most certainly his greatest strength at the moment is his aerial game. Although, he’s called “The Iranian Messi”, with 6’1 and great heading technique, he is more likely to be “The Iranian Lewandowski” and he already scored some spectacular headers for his team. Though, his main strength is going forward, he is not afraid of coming back to midfield and create space and chances for his teammates. He is also fast and can hit the opponent badly in counter-attack. With his skills and great work-ethic, he could be a great addition to the Liverpool squad and with only 21 years of age, Klopp and his backroom staff would have plenty of time to develop his skills.
In terms of weaknesses, most probably he would need to work on the physical side of his game. You can be fast, creative, great dribbler or a great finisher, if you don’t have the necessary physical strength, you won’t make it in the Premier League, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas were great examples of that, unfortunately.
Embed from Getty Images
Overall
Azmoun certainly has a great potential and Klopp would be able to make the most out of his skills. He wouldn’t be too pricey either (transfermarkt.de values him at €7M) and at a young age he’d have time to settle in the team and develop.
However, as he is a natural centre forward, he’d be facing a stiff competition to get into the team as Sturridge and Origi are also eager to impress Klopp and get more playing time. Klopp is also supposed to be more interested in adding a wide attacker to his squad in January, as at the moment, Mané is the only player in the first team squad who plays in that position and he’ll miss some important matches during January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
All in all, Azmoun would be an interesting addition to this Liverpool team, however as things stand right now, next to Firmino, Sturridge and Origi, he’d be no more but a squad-player with limited playing time. Next summer, probably would be a better time to look at his situation and try to bring him in if the team will really need a new striker. For now, a pacey, “Mané-like” winger should be the priority for Klopp and his staff.
Written by Daniel Stemler
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