Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Jamie Carragher compares Wolves man Conor Coady to Liverpool defender
Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports – – that there is no-one better in the Premier League than Wolves defender Conor Coady when it comes to a defender’s passing range, other than Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Coady, 27, starred once again for Wolves as he lined up in the middle of a back three alongside Willy Boly and Max Kilman for Wolves against Leeds United on Monday night. The Midlands outfit secured a 1-0 win, thanks to Raul Jimenez’s effort.
Coady – who was brought through the Liverpool academy before leaving the club in 2014 to join Huddersfield – has now clocked up 241 appearances in all competitions for Wolves. He has become a crucial part of their identity under Nuno Espirito Santo.
His form continues to improve and that has been recognised in his two caps for England. Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher compared the former Liverpool man to van Dijk – claiming only van Dijk can match Coady’s incredible passing range.
“He’s a brilliant player,” “His passing range. Listen, every defender has strengths and weaknesses. There’s no-one better in the Premier League. I was winding him up about Virgil van Dijk, but van Dijk is the only as good at passing.”
TBR’s view – Is Coady good enough to replace van Dijk?
Carragher joked during an interview with Coady after the match that Jurgen Klopp had identified him as one of three defenders to replace the Dutchman, following his injury against Everton. But is Coady good enough?
A move to bring Coady back to Anfield would be more sentimental than anything. Coady has shown he stars in a back three, but could he do the same in a system with just two central defenders? That, remains to be seen.
A good defender, but in terms of overall quality, he is far below van Dijk. Speed, strength, power and tactical nous, van Dijk is much the superior. But if Liverpool need a replacement and cover for van Dijk going forward, then Coady could be the man.
