Daniel Agger – where will he best fit?

 

At Gomel, Daniel Agger did not feature despite him reportedly passing the fitness test. His agent earlier tweeted saying his client is fully fit and rearing to go.

A week ago, Manchester City and Real Madrid were interested in the centre back. Back in January, it was AC Milan in the reckoning.

Is this a sign of bad things to come for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool Football? Will Daniel Agger sign a new contract with Fenway and stay to build a dynasty with Martin Skrtel, or will he leave and instigate the domino effect?

Skrtel, like his Danish teammate, was linked with City as well. Rumours surrounded Tinsel Town suggesting City is lodging in a 20 million pound bid for him. However, Liverpool was quick to deny any contact had been made. And yesterday, Liverpool did the same – completely deny that Agger is up for grabs, and further added that the player is an integral part of Rodgers’ Anfield reincarnation.

There is no doubt that Daniel Agger is a class act. He captains the Denmark National Team, and has been a powerhouse in Liverpool’s defense for over five years. In fact, the player is so talented that he displaced venerated Sami Hyypia from the position only to lose it to injuries. When fit, Agger is guaranteed a start – something even the more experienced Jamie Carragher cannot be certain of now. In a league where the centre back position is so pivotal, Daniel Agger certainly deserves a mention amongst the best.

While Daniel Agger could leave Liverpool, there isn’t an assurance that he will start in the clubs he is linked with. This article assesses Agger’s chances of a place in each of the teams’ starting line-up for the next season – the clubs that the Dane could ultimately play for.

1. Manchester City

Advantages: Good money, better chances of silverware, European Football guaranteed, and suited type of football.

Disadvantages: Should he fail once, he might lose his first team slot to a host of centre backs waiting. Also, it is high likelihood that the player could be shipped out in just a season like Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Johnson and Kolarov.

Players in contention for the centre back role: Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Stefan Savic, Kolo Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.

Starting role chances: Agger definitely won’t beat club captain Kompany to a starting role, but could give Lescott a run for his money. Mancini may wish to stick with his Premier League winning duo, and seems to be interested in fixing other loopholes in his team. The saga of Robin Van Persie could also deter Agger’s chances of a move to the Ethihad Stadium.

Decision: 50-50, Agger may fancy himself to beat Lescott but may get frozen out of contention due to his constant battles with injuries.

2. Real Madrid

Advantages: Play for the most decorated football club, huge fan market, good money, great manager and fellow players, in the mix to win two-three trophies every season, player caliber will improve alongside future legends.

Disadvantages: Like City, could get shipped out after a single failure, may not start at all till a player gets injured, and will find it hard to get accustomed to a faster football league.

Players in contention for the centre back role: Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe and Raphael Varane.

Starting role chances: To keep it simple, Agger won’t start when Mourinho has two Portuguese centre backs in Pepe and Carvalho. Even if one of them gets injured, “the chosen one” will prefer to slot Ramos in the centre back role, instead of Agger.

Decision: Unless Agger is exceptional enough for Mourinho to consider him immediately, Agger will lose a season of time and may shoot out of another team’s radar. Don’t go to Madrid, Mr. Agger!

3. AC Milan

Advantages: Historically, a strong club, having won the second highest number of European Cups, young and ambitious manager, competitive team, European football guaranteed, and great fan base with a star studded squad.

Disadvantages: Volatile finances, shaky management and players leaving.

Players in contention for the centre back role: Phillipe Mexes, De Sciglio, Daniele Bonera, Ignazio Abate, Mario Yepes and Luca Antonini.

Starting role chances: Mexes is currently the best centre back in the team but Agger should displace him. After Thiago Silva’s departure to PSG, Milan is desperate to fill the void which could work in Danny Agger’s favor. Moreover, he could take up the leadership mantle from Ambrosini which is another indicator for him to move to San Siro.

Decision: Unless he is extremely happy with Liverpool’s future ambitions, Agger should move to AC Milan. He is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up, and will feature dominantly in Europe, and the league. The suspicion of the Italian club rotting in debt, and mismanagement by the board could hinder this potential deal.

4. Liverpool

Advantages: New manager, renowned club with a huge fan base, free spending owners, fan favorite, future captain, and undisputed governor of the defense.

Disadvantages: Declining performances since 2008, no top class European football, lost stranglehold in the top 4, fellow defensive partner wanting to leave as well, and importantly, uncertainty in silverware and ability to bring in big names.

Players in contention for the centre back role: Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Danny Wilson, Sebastian Coates and Martin Kelly.

Starting role chances: It will be the joke of the century if Agger doesn’t start at Liverpool. If Steven Gerrard does retire soon, Agger should be made the next club captain.

Decision: Let’s face it Danny, there is no other club where you can cement your place like Liverpool. The fans worship you and the manager clearly seems ambitious enough.