In a recent report, Le10Sport has revealed that Liverpool are set to rival AC Milan in pursuit of RC Lens defender Loïc Badé. It is believed that the Reds are monitoring the French centre-back’s progress in the Ligue 1 and could be interested in signing him at the end of this campaign (via Le10Sport).
Bade’s Impressive Form In The Ligue 1 This Season
The Sevres-born youngster has caught the eye for producing a run of solid displays at the heart of Franck Haise’s defence. Bade has made 16 appearances for the French outfit in the Ligue 1, picking up four yellow cards and one red card in the process.
The 20-year-old has been a dominant presence on the defensive end of the field as he is averaging 2.2 tackles, 2.8 key passes and 3.9 clearances per game in the French top tier. He has even been careful when playing his way out from the back after making 0.9 dribbles and 85.5% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
Bade is currently playing the best football of his young career, so it is no wonder that both Liverpool and AC Milan are keeping tabs on his development in France. The Merseyside giants are in dire need to add a couple of quality young defenders, so the RC Lens whizkid fits the bill perfectly as he ticks all the right boxes as far as what Jurgen Klopp demands from his centre-halves.
What Will The French Prospect Bring To Anfield?
Standing at 1.91m, Bade is a powerful presence inside his penalty box and can use his athletic frame to outjump the opposition and win his fair share of aerial duels at the back. The promising starlet has shown good defensive awareness to snuff out the danger quickly and is always eager to earn possession back for his team.
The French sensation can pass his way out from defence efficiently and is also not afraid to step up and run with the ball when given time and space by the opposition. However, he is still quite inexperienced at the highest level, so only time will tell whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League if the Reds end up landing him next summer.
Should The Reds Engineer A Move For Bade?
Even though recruiting a centre-half of Bade’s potential at the end of this season will be a massive coup for the Reds, yet Klopp’s need for a new defender is more urgent as he has got Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez out of action with long-term injuries. Plus, Joel Matip’s injury-prone nature has not helped the Merseyside club’s cause as they struggled to cope with fixture congestion last month. Klopp should strongly consider launching a move for a more experienced defender during this winter transfer period before deciding whether to move in for Bade in the summer.
