Is Anthony Gordon The Mohammed Kudus Smokescreen?

Though I am a fan of the jet healed talents of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, I remain slightly underwhelmed at the thought of Liverpool spending £75m on the former Everton player, even if some of that fee could be paid in unwanted players.

Since the England squad assembled for the recent European Championships (at the close of last season), media reports started to filter through the gossip pages that the Geordies were keen to move on one of their prize assets, in order to meet PSR requirements before the end of June. Ultimately, the ambitious North East giants were able to sell another exciting young winger, Yankuba Minteh, to Brighton for a handsome fee of £30m, thus avoiding potential sanctions from the Premier League.

It has since become clear that in offering the services of their 24-year-old, Anthony Gordon, to the reds, Eddie Howe and co have opened a can of worms to a lifelong Liverpool fan, one who appears desperate to reignite a move back to his hometown during this summer of change.

Need For An Attacker This Summer?

Following the continuing links to Barcelona last season, I was certain that the former Porto flyer, Luis Díaz, would eventually find his way to the Catalan club during this off season.

That move may well transpire in the month of August, especially after Athletic Bilbao’s exciting wide man, Nico Williams, appeared to commit his short-term future to his current home. My previous expectation (regarding the sale of the 27-year-old Colombian), meant at some point a replacement winger would be targeted, to replace an asset who could fetch £75m. Newcastle were probably aware of this outside circumstance, which may have been why they were keen to offer the England international winger to the reds at the close of the last campaign.

This endeavour may now backfire on the European hopefuls and create dressing room turmoil between the management and the player. Regardless of what transpires at Liverpool‘s Premier League rivals, there is one name that has also been linked, which I find far more tantalizing and appropriate to the regeneration under the new head coach, Arne Slot.

Mohammad Kudus is an ultra-talented and versatile attacking player, who would be the perfect addition if the Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, were indeed looking to add firepower and depth to the attacking group.

What Would Kudus Offer That Gordon Doesn’t?

As a left footage right winger, the explosive Ghanaian international would an immediately offer a long-term solution to the inevitable departure of the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah. It is important to note that the former Ajax prodigy’s primary position of right wing, is closely followed by an ability to play on the left flank, in central areas across the final third, or as an attacking midfielder.

After arriving to West ham from the Eredivisie for £38m last summer, it always seemed like a missed opportunity by the former Sporting Director, Jörg Schmadtke, especially when Ryan Gravenberch was later signed for a similar fee. There are unconfirmed reports that a release clause of around £80m is active within the contract of the 24-year-old, which would align with the valuations of both Anthony Gordon and Luis Díaz.

After a very good season within a dogmatic enterprise, the man which is currently playing under the stewardship of David Moyes, still managed 18 goals and seven assists across an impressive first campaign in England. The desire for more may well be embracing both a Liverpool targets, which begs the question as to who would be the better fit.

Under new on-pitch leadership at the Axa Training Centre, there will be a desire of perfect an intricate possession-based style of play. In such a scenario, the next version of Liverpool FC may not benefit from the key attribute of the former Everton academy graduate, Anthony Gordon.

His own best moments have often arisen from exploiting high lines and within a counter attacking enterprise, something that would be fleeting at Anfield from next season. Regarding the alternative, as an explosive and multitalented AFCON star, Mohamed Kudos is a player not dissimilar to the reds former legendary forward, Sadio Mané.

The powerful and robust Hammers player is most certainly someone that could be immersed into Slot’s new style of play, whilst safeguarding the inevitable day that the record-breaking goal scorer, Mohamed Salah, finally leaves Liverpool.

Therefore, under the watch of the new regime, a choice between the two potential buys should always lead to the signing of the East London based asset, as someone that could rise from very good to world class in the right environment.

The next month or so is going to be an exciting and potentially outstanding period, one which could see many comings and goings from the club. If the most prominent Liverpool executives, Edwards, and Hughes, decide to make alterations to the attacking stable of players, then Mohammed Kudus would represent the most wonderful acquisition, certainly one that would make a bigger impact than the Newcastle number ten, Anthony Gordon.

In my opinion, anyway.