Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signature of Nottingham Forest 16-year-old defender Matthew Bondswell. There has been an interest from Manchester United as well for the young prodigy. However, Liverpool seems to have the edge over their rivals as Bondswell has grown up supporting the Merseyside club.
The defender has been a regular for Nottingham Forest u18 side and has excelled at the youth level for England and his club. He is considered as a natural athlete and has a strong background in the track and field events. He uses his athletic prowess down the left and has been shining in his left back role for the club.
Bondswell won the British Junior triple jump championship two years ago and could have easily pursued his career in athletics. But it seems like football is his real calling and he has proven himself for the Nottingham Forest u18 side.
The defender is certainly going to be a long-term prospect for Liverpool and will have to go through their youth academy system before he gets anywhere close to senior team football.
The Merseyside club are having a good campaign this season as they are the surprise finalists of the Champions League. Their league form faded in the latter half but they eventually managed to finish in the top 4. Some of the players have surprised everyone with their performances and none more than the Liverpool’s academy product Trent Alexander Arnold. Before the season began there were concerns about that position as Nathaniel Clyne was out with a lengthy injury. However, now that he is fit and available, he cannot make it to the playing eleven as Alexander Arnold is irreplaceable for the side.
Liverpool has a history of promoting young talents and there are quite a few players who are waiting in the wings to get first-team action. If Liverpool manages to sign Bondswell he will have great opportunity to learn and improve in one of the best clubs in the country and the world.
It is likely that Bondswell will have to train with the u-17 first before he gets promoted to the reserve squad. Liverpool currently have the likes of Andy Robertson and Alberto Moreno as their left back options and we have seen James Milner also filling in the role of left back once in a while. Signing Bondswell will not bolster their first eleven but he will be a long-term option for Jurgen Klopp and with the potential he has shown at Nottingham Forrest, he certainly has a big future ahead of him if he works hard and keeps his head in the right place.
