Why Liverpool should look to sell Emre Can in the summer

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After a very inconsistent season, it looks like Emre Can could be heading out of Anfield as he continues to stall on a new deal, with only 18 months left on his current contract. The German international has struggled to adapt to playing further forward in a very forward-thinking 4-3-3 formation under Jurgen Klopp.

Arguably the most important midfielder heading into the 2016/17 campaign, Can had his best season at Liverpool last year with brilliant performances away at Manchester City and at home against Borussia Dortmund. However, with the rejuvenation of Jordan Henderson, it’s been tough for the youngster to replicate that form this season.

It was an early indicator in the first game of the season that Georginio Wijnaldum was preferred to Can, when the Dutchman started against Arsenal, whilst the German youngster had to settle for a place on the bench. Klopp knows who he wants to play against the big guns, too, as against fellow top six opposition, Wijnaldum has started eight games, with Can only starting four. Along with the fact that Wijnaldum has made significant contributions in those game – an assist against Arsenal, a winner against Manchester City, an equaliser against Chelsea and most recently an assist against Spurs – it is hard to see how a faltering Can could better those stats.

With Can still being in his younger years, there is still a good resale value as well for the Reds. After purchasing the 23-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen for £11 million in 2014, he looked ready to mould into the next Steven Gerrard, with his fantastic build and wonderful driving runs from midfield. However, he hasn’t really been able to consistently hold down a place in this Liverpool team. The Reds had been struggling for a continuation of form and identity before the arrival of Klopp, who seems to know exactly where he wants his team, but not quite so sure of who can take him there.

Juventus have been strongly linked with Can over the last few weeks and this could be the opening that Liverpool need to move the German on. If Can continues to stall on a new deal as we edge closer to the business end of the season, more clubs will become aware of the situation and could open more avenues for the midfielder to possibly make a return back to the Bundesliga. Can may not fancy a switch to Italy, learning a new language, no guarantee of regular football and moving to a league where the game is much slower than what he’s used to now in the Premier League, but if the current situation does not sort itself out within the next few weeks, he could become one of the next fatalities to be cast aside by Klopp.

There are a few obvious attributes that Emre Can lacks, that over the last few months have become very noticeable to the Anfield faithful. His distribution of the ball is slow and lacklustre, he gets caught in possession too often and takes far too many touches when facing the opposition goal. Quick movement, quick distribution of the ball and most importantly, a high tempo from the outset, is how to unlock defences when teams defend deep. It’s not the Can can’t do it, he just doesn’t do it enough. His influence further forward has dwindled in a side that has one defensive minded player and two just ahead. With only one assist this season, it’s a much lower contribution than Jordan Henderson and Wijnaldum, who have four, whilst Adam Lallana has created a further seven. 

Can really does have huge potential, but at a time where Liverpool need to be pushing back into the top four and need as many high-quality, consistent performers as possible, it’s hard to see him breaking back into the team when the current midfield three of Henderson, Lallana, and Wijnaldum are playing so well together.

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