In a recent print edition, Corriere Dello Sport stated that Liverpool are eyeing a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie next summer. It is understood that the Reds are willing to offer the Ivory Coast international €6m a year in wages to entice him to seal a move to Anfield at the end of next season (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Kessie’s Excellent Campaign At San Siro
Kessie impressed the AC Milan faithful with a series of solid performances at the centre of the park during the course of the previous campaign. The Ivory Coast international featured in 50 matches for the Italian outfit last season, netting 14 goals and securing six assists in all competitions.
The 24-year-old managed to make an impact in both halves based on his average of 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, 1.3 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A football. He even interchanged possession relatively well with his teammates in midfield as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 88.9% in the top tier of Italian football (stats via whoscored).
The Ivory Coast midfield ace is only getting better with each season, so it makes sense for the Reds to wait for him to become a free agent next summer before offering him a lucrative contract to join Jurgen Klopp’s revolution at Anfield.
Is Kessie The Right Choice For Liverpool This Summer?
Kessie is a tough-tackling midfielder who can work hard towards securing the ball back for his side. He has got a good football IQ and is often quick to snuff out the danger in midfield. The 44-time Ivory Coast international can protect his backline quite well and is not shy of clearing his lines when the opposition are on the front foot.
The AC Milan star deserves credit for adding a lot of goals and assists to his game, that made him such a joy to watch in Italian football last season. He has also been an excellent passer of the ball and can create some decent plays for others around him.
Kessie is a player on the rise, so he would be an excellent acquisition for the Reds if they can land him on a free transfer next year. At 23, the future is quite bright for the Ivory Coast midfielder which makes a brilliant long-term choice for the Merseyside giants to pursue in the summer of 2022.
Kessie could serve as an ideal successor to James Milner, who is in the twilight years of his playing career. He might even go on to form a dominant midfield partnership with Fabinho at Anfield in the years to come.
