He’s Starring at Euro 2024: Liverpool Favourites to Sign Their Own Bellingham for Free
Liverpool have been passive observers in an eventful summer transfer window, monitoring as teams across continents scramble to identify targets and finalize deals.
The ongoing European and American international tournaments have naturally slowed down market movements. Anfield’s new head coach, Arne Slot, is taking his time to evaluate his squad, much of which has not yet trained under his guidance.
Therefore, fans need not worry about the lack of activity on the red side of Merseyside. Slot has maintained regular communication with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, focusing on potential improvements in defense, central midfield, and on the wing.
It’s all about seizing opportunities, and while it may not be a top priority for FSG currently, a talented and versatile midfielder has become available and could be a strategic addition to the Reds’ project.
According to Italian newspaper Calciomercato, Liverpool are among the frontrunners to acquire the services of French international Adrien Rabiot. Rabiot recently became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Juventus.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed that negotiations for a new contract between Juventus and the 29-year-old have collapsed, prompting Rabiot’s representatives to engage with other clubs.
The article also mentions that AC Milan and several other teams are vying for Rabiot’s signature. Despite significant interest from various Premier League clubs, Liverpool are particularly keen on securing his services.
Adrien Rabiot’s Stats at Euro 2024
Until Rabiot finishes his Euro 2024 journey with France, his club future are expected to stay uncertain. France progressed to the quarter-finals on Monday night with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, with Rabiot featuring in his fourth consecutive starting appearance.
| Adrien Rabiot: Euro 2024 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Statistic | # |
| Matches played | 4 |
| Matches started | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Pass completion | 93% |
| Key passes per game | 2.3 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 4.5 |
| Tackles per game | 1.5 |
| Dribbles per game | 1.0 |
| Duels won per game | 3.8 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
France disappointed in the tournament hosted by Germany, finishing second in their group and faltering in the round of 16. They faced Portugal next after Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal.
Rabiot, in contrast, proved to be a consistent force, anchoring the left side of midfield with athleticism and playmaking ability, a crucial component in Slot’s high-energy, control-oriented system.
His versatile playing style would add a new dimension to Liverpool, bridging the gap between the skills of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
As Liverpool prepare for the Champions League, the 6-foot-3 Frenchman’s experience and toughness could greatly benefit a team in transition.
Adrien Rabiot’s Potential Impact at Liverpool
Rabiot has had a successful career in European football, winning numerous trophies in France with Paris Saint-Germain and in Italy with Juventus, including two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.
According to FBref, he was in the top 11% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 14% for progressive carries, the top 8% for progressive passes received, and the top 11% for aerial duels won per 90.
These statistics have led to comparisons with Jude Bellingham, who is currently highly regarded in English football under Gareth Southgate.
| Adrien Rabiot: Similar Midfielders | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Club |
| 1. | Ilkay Gundogan | Barcelona |
| 2. | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| 3. | Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool |
| 4. | Pedri | Barcelona |
| 5. | Teun Koopmeiners | Atalanta |
| Sourced via Football Transfers | ||
Comparing him to Bellingham, currently one of the most promising talents in sports, may seem ambitious, but there are notable similarities. Bellingham, who moved to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for a fee that could reach £115m last summer, has achieved significant success, winning both La Liga and the Champions League. He scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists during this period.
His accomplishments place the 6-foot-1 superstar among the top 2% of players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored per 90 minutes, and in the top 1% for pass completion rates.
Bellingham is emerging as a global phenomenon, known for his remarkable technical ability. However, his success is primarily due to his exceptional spatial awareness and natural movements. He times his runs impeccably and exploits spaces effectively to create scoring opportunities with precise strikes.
This parallels Rabiot’s performance for Juventus last season, where he took on a deeper role but still demonstrated his exceptional talent during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 11 goals and contributing six assists with great skill.
| Jude Bellingham vs Adrien Rabiot (23/24 Comparison) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Jude Bellingham | Adrien Rabiot |
| Matches played | 28 | 31 |
| Goals | 19 | 5 |
| Assists | 6 | 3 |
| Pass completion | 90% | 84% |
| Big chances created | 7 | 6 |
| Key passes per game | 1.7 | 0.8 |
| Tackles per game | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 4.2 | 4.8 |
| Dribbles per game | 1.8 (59%) | 0.9 (59%) |
| Duels won per game | 6.7 (55%) | 5.7 (57%) |
| Stats via Sofascore | ||
Both players display versatility in their styles. Bellingham had a standout season, yet Rabiot showcased a strong work ethic, making more recoveries per game and nearly matching him in creating key chances, highlighting his playmaking ability comparable to England’s talented squad.
Furthermore, despite lower dribble and duel success rates, Rabiot, the current Juventus player, executed these maneuvers with equal precision. Liverpool would benefit significantly from acquiring Rabiot, who could prove to be a strategic and impactful addition.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Among Premier League Clubs Tracking Record-breaking Midfielder
