Royston Drenthe has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this week, and on the surface at least, if a deal can be reached at a reasonable and economically viable price, then Liverpool could bag one of the bargains of the summer in a position they’ve been crying out to fill for years.

The 23 year-old is equally comfortable at left back or on the left wing, although after remembering vividly his role in Holland’s 2007 European under-21 Championship win, he’s extremely dangerous running at defenders further forward, so much so that he was later voted the player of the tournament.

Hodgson is rumoured to be in the market for a left back, a left sided utility man and striking backup for Torres, as well as a replacement for Mascherano, with the Argentina captain looking all but sure to leave Anfield this summer. Maynor Figueroa, the stocky Wigan left back has been earmarked to fill the left back role vacated by Insua and Aurelio this summer, and Drenthe would fit in well as the left sided utility man.

Drenthe even announced yesterday on his Facebook page (fine times we live in) that “I will soon be joining Liverpool FC. I hope I will have a good season” with the fees being bandied about in the region between £6-9m. That may seem a lot for a player who was frozen out of the Real Madrid first team last season, making only 12 first-team appearances all season, but there is undoubtedly some great potential to work with there.

The departures of Benayoun and Riera have seen not only squad numbers depleted but a real lack of alternatives for Hodgson to choose from on the wings. Drenthe’s good friend and another player who shone at the 2007 under-21 Championships, Ryan Babel can operate down the left, but to mixed effect and Joe Cole has managed to forge a career for the national side out on the left, but it would appear he has been promised a more central role, so Hodgson’s options are few and far between.

The issue also needs to be solved soon, as to whom the identity of the club’s new first choice left back is, with the Europa League qualifier away in Macedonia to FK Rabotnicki looming, a deal for Drenthe could be just what the doctor ordered, if the persistent haggling over the structure of payment for Figueroa continues, with Wigan seemingly digging their heels.

The winger come full back is a real livewire with the ball at his feet, exciting to watch, pacy and with the ability to take on his man and beat him with consummate ease, Drenthe may be able to offer a useful outlet and provide the side with some much needed speed, something Benitez failed to do throughout his tenure.

There are obviously inherent risks with buying a young player, of rumoured questionable temperament, but the fact remains that we should not tar Drenthe with the same brush as Ryan Babel, despite their similarities. Signing him would obviously be a risk, but Hodgson is well-known for rekindling careers and should the club’s new manager be able to unlock some of his potential, Drenthe could prove to be one of the bargains of the summer.

Written By James McManus

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