According to a recent report by Sport 1, Liverpool are interested in securing the signature of Schalke 04 centre-back Malick Thiaw, who does not have a release clause in his current contract at the VELTINS-Arena. The same source has also stated that the Bundesliga youngster is flattered by the Reds’ interest, but his preference is to stay at Gelsenkirchen and pen a professional contract.
Thiaw’s Recent Emergence At the VELTINS-Arena
The talented teenager has come through the youth ranks of Schalke before managing to make a name for himself a top performer for the club’s Under-19 side. Thiaw made his Bundesliga debut recently when he came on as a substitute versus TSG Hoffenheim before his season came to an abrupt halt as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Even though the 18-year-old is primarily a centre-half, he still holds a prolific goal-scoring record after registering eight goals and one assist in 20 matches in the U-19 Bundesliga West this season. He is currently the captain of Schalke’s U-19 team and is on the brink of making himself a regular feature in David Wagner’s starting XI.
Standing at 6ft 3in tall, Thiaw is a commanding presence at both ends of the field as he can outmuscle the opposition using his strength and leaping ability. It is unique for a central defender to net so many goals even if it is for the German club’s youth set-up. The Finnish prospect has the potential to become a top-class centre-half someday if he can continue making progress in improving his overall game on the pitch.
What Are The Finnish Whizkid’s Best Attributes?
As mentioned above, Thiaw is a dominant presence inside his own box as he can make a lot of clearing headers with authority and conviction. The Schalke teen sensation excels at winning 50-50 aerial duels and also contributes by scoring plenty of goals from dead-ball situations in the offensive end of the field. He is a decent defender at the back as well and can make some vital interceptions for his side. The 18-year-old is also not shy about putting his body on the line to stop a goal-bound shot when left exposed on the break.
Should The Merseyside Giants Make A Move For Thiaw This Summer?
However, the jury is still out on whether the Finnish starlet will be able to cope with life in the Premier League where he can expect a much higher degree of challenge as far as the physical side of his game is concerned. Thiaw needs to earn more first-team experience if he intends to be a regular starter in the English first division someday. At the moment, he will struggle to get any minutes as part of Jurgen Klopp’s senior team, which makes him a low priority transfer target.
However, the youngster has shown a lot of promise over the past few years so Liverpool can benefit from adding him to their squad as he could turn out to be a shrewd signing for them in the long-run. As long as Klopp is willing to be patient with his development, he should consider bringing the Finnish teen sensation to Anfield.
Thiaw could potentially form a productive defensive partnership with Sepp Van den Berg and Ki-Jana Hoever if he decides to join the youth ranks of the Merseyside club when the transfer window reopens later this summer. Klopp will also be able to call upon his services in the domestic cup competitions which could, in turn, help the Reds overcome the effects of fixture congestion next season.
