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Iago Aspas has been linked with a €7m move to Anfield this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his side and push for a Champions League place next season. But what kind of player is he?
Liverpool have signed a clinical finisher in Aspas, when at his best is one of the most dangerous strikers around.
The Spaniard is set to play his 154th for Celta Vigo on Saturday, in arguably his sides most important game of the season. Celta need to take the maximum three points that are available, in order to stay in La Liga. During his time at the club he has scored 50 goals over the course of six seasons.
This campaign has been his most successful to date. Between August and January, Aspas scored nine goals for Vigo. As a result, he has been linked to top clubs all around Europe including Borussia Dortmund, Athletico Madrid, Arsenal FC and Swansea City.
However, Iago has struggled to deliver goals from January to May, scoring a very disappointing three in total. He hasn’t been his usual busy-self, lacking the passion which he showed at the start of the season. In my opinion all the attention across Spain distracted him from the job in hand – to score goals and keep Celta Vigo from relegation.
Iago Aspas ss a typical Spanish striker. At 5’9, he loves to play off the shoulder of opposition defenders allowing him to run in behind, he works hard for the team and has plenty of skill with the ball at his feet. When on form he is a clinical finisher, up with the best in La Liga.
Aspas can play on the wing or behind the striker, positions he adopted in the earlier stages of his professional career, however he is less effective in those positions. With 12 goals in La Liga this season, he has proved he has what it takes to score at the highest level.
Despite this, Iago is not the smartest of players. After head-butting another player in Vigo’s derby versus Deportivo, he received a four match ban, this certainly hasn’t assisted his side’s survival hopes.
This deal, which is believed to be worth €7.7 million may have been agreed as early as February. With Liverpool and Aspas’ agent having already made a verbal agreement.
I think the striker will bed into Liverpool very comfortably, especially considering Brendan Rodgers’ ability to speak Spanish. If Iago plays his fare share of games in the Premier League he could easily score 20 goals for the club.
Aspas has also been compared to Arsenal great Thierry Henry, based on his playing style and his movement running in behind the defenders. Although he hasn’t got the physical bulk that Henry possessed, their playing styles are very similar, and he will show his quality in England.
The combination of Iago Aspas and Luis Suarez will be very interesting. I’m going to compare it with the Henry and Dennis Bergkamp pairing that gave Arsenal fans the unbeaten season. With the 5’9 Spaniard up top, and with Luis Suarez playing off him, Liverpool shouldn’t be short of goals next season.