One of the best fullbacks in the world, Dani Alves, could be heading to the Premier League next season. The Brazilian defender, who currently plays for Barcelona, told Brazilian news outlet O Globo: “I am moving to England next year. I am going to play in the cradle of football. This will be my last year at Barcelona.”
Manager Luis Enrique seems to think that the likes of Douglas and Martin Montoya could be the future of the position at the Catalonian club. Therefore to see the veteran defender at a Premier League club next year will be far from a surprising move.
According to the Daily Mail, both Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in his services, even though he turns 32 next May. Apart from the age aspect, it would be foolish of either club to reject his services considering the amount he has accomplished with the Barcelona squad since joining them in 2008. Two Champions League and four La Liga trophies as well a few others are on his resume as part of one of the greatest club sides to play the beautiful game.
LIVERPOOL
Could you blame them for wanting a right back that is not a liability? Glen Johnson can only be described as average at best, with very few great performances throughout his career. John Flanagan and Javier Manquillo (signed from Atletico Madrid this summer) both have the potential to have really good careers but are they ready to make the step up as a constant starter for the Merseyside unit.
Needless to say that Dani Alves is a short term option wherever he goes after his time with Barcelona. Liverpool definitely need a short term option at right back while they look to develop both Flanagan and Manquillo into finer players than they are now.
Liverpool have plenty of English talent on their books already so getting rid of Johnson would not be a problem in the eyes of UEFA’s home grown policy—especially if they keep Flanagan on their books too. Alves is better than Johnson—this signing would be a no-brainer for Brendan Rodgers.
MANCHESTER UNITED
A right back is not the top of Manchester United’s agenda at the moment, but not to even consider signing Alves would be a naïve decision. United have one pure (for the lack of a better word) right back with Rafael. The young Brazilian has shown some glimpses of what he could potentially become, but his performances and temperament is erratic at best. He’s too much of a loose cannon to be considered as a top full back in the future.
Meanwhile, neither Phil Jones nor Chris Smalling can really be considered as good right backs. Jones is certainly a versatile player who can play anywhere in a back four as well as a defensive midfield position to a decent level. Yet Jones appears to be at his best and his most comfortable as a centre back for United, and it should be Louis van Gaal’s priority to develop Jones into the great centre back that he can become. And Chris Smalling is just not the answer for any part of United’s defence.
Alves is a good solution for Manchester United and could provide benefits in the long run too, if Alves was inclined to mentor Rafael into becoming a top right back.
THE REST
Chelsea: It’s an unlikely move considering that they have two talented right backs in Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta. They also have Felipe Luis and Nathan Ake at the left back position with Azpilicueta as viable back up for that role too. So why sign Alves? Because a) Jose Mourinho wants to wind up his opposition (think Willian and Tottenham) and b) because they could loan out Ake and have Alves on the right with Ivanovic as backup and Azpilicueta as the backup left back. It could happen.
Tottenham Hotspur: If this transfer were to happen then it would depend if Alves would want to play on the left hand side of the pitch, because Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton are unlikely to be replaced any time soon. The left back position is where they have issues, because Ben Davies clearly has yet to settle and might need a loan move in order for him to progress, Danny Rose is just woeful and Benoit Assou-Ekotto is just forgotten about.
Everton: It would be a controversial transfer considering they have two very good fullbacks in Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines. But Dani Alves can add much needed depth and experience to an Everton side who needs it. And as seen with the signing of Romalu Lukaku, they are not afraid of spending the money in the transfer market. Wages would still be an issue, making this signing unlikely.
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