Stolen from another site:
I came across this article, written by an Norwegian scout named Tor-Kristian Karlsen, located in London who earlier was scouting chief for Hannover 96 (2004-2006), and was a part of the scouting team for the likes of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2000-2004), Watford FC (1998-2000) and Grasshopper-Club Zurich (1996-1998).
I will do my best translating it from Norwegian to English, so please bare with me:
"After a trophy-less season, is another passenger what Rafael Benitez needs to get the Merseyside-express back on track?
Recently the club announced that Philipp Degen will join the rest of the team from July 1st. Despite the rumours have been doing the rounds, myself and many other people who both respect the tradition-filled club from north-west, and follows the German league, raised our eyebrowns.
The truth is, that Borussia Dortmund, who finished 13th this season, already in january told Degen that his contract will not be renewed. BVB wouldn't even try to offer him a new deal - not because they couldn't meet his demands, but because the ex-Basel player hadn't lived up to their expectations and therefore decided to give Antonio Rukavina from Croatia the chance in the right-back position.
Most likely, Degen had foreseen a move back to Switzerland, or maybe a smaller team in Germany, but when Rafael Benitez came with his cheque book, the phrase "I was never in doubt when Liverpool offered me a contract and I couldn't sign it quick enough" have been more literally ment.
Philipp Degen is not a scandelous weak footballer. When he's fit, he is the first choice in his position on the national team.
His physique and his attacking minded play have raised some eyebrowns. He hasn't got a good accleration, but when he has a route schuelded up, he can be difficult to stop.
His physique and attacking play is his two strongest areas. Other strengths aquired to justify a move to an European giant as Liverpool FC is positioning, mentality and end-product when it comes to crosses and constructive pass and move.
In these areas, I'm afraid Degen is way to weak to be able to contribute enough for a Europen top-club such as Liverpool.
Degen will probably not be the only newbie walking through the gates at Anfield. Gareth Barry and Andrea Dossena are both on a daily- basis being lined up as potentially new players for Rafael Benitez.
Isolated, they are both good players, but I doubt they are players who will get Stevie Gerrards hands closer to the Premier League trophy.
Anyway, the signing of Degen signals that Liverpool haven't learned from last year when they signed Andriy Voronin, who also was a player without a contract or memorable success from the Bundesliga, who didn't deserve to touch the famous "This is Anfield" sign.
Equally with Vornin, Benitez will probably point out that Degen is signed as a back-up player, but if Steve Finnan is on his way back to Fulham and Alvaro Arbeloa is his only
competitor, I can hardly see anything else that the right back positon will be a weak point for Liverpool next season.
Of course, the Spaniard may be restricted in form of funds with all the things happening around the ownership situation, but what is the purpose bringing new playersr in just because they're free?
If the player doesn't have the abilities of a top-class player, which is the case with Voronin and Degen, it doesn't matter if the player is free or gives Rafael Benitez unlimited goods in form of chocolate."
I came across this article, written by an Norwegian scout named Tor-Kristian Karlsen, located in London who earlier was scouting chief for Hannover 96 (2004-2006), and was a part of the scouting team for the likes of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2000-2004), Watford FC (1998-2000) and Grasshopper-Club Zurich (1996-1998).
I will do my best translating it from Norwegian to English, so please bare with me:
"After a trophy-less season, is another passenger what Rafael Benitez needs to get the Merseyside-express back on track?
Recently the club announced that Philipp Degen will join the rest of the team from July 1st. Despite the rumours have been doing the rounds, myself and many other people who both respect the tradition-filled club from north-west, and follows the German league, raised our eyebrowns.
The truth is, that Borussia Dortmund, who finished 13th this season, already in january told Degen that his contract will not be renewed. BVB wouldn't even try to offer him a new deal - not because they couldn't meet his demands, but because the ex-Basel player hadn't lived up to their expectations and therefore decided to give Antonio Rukavina from Croatia the chance in the right-back position.
Most likely, Degen had foreseen a move back to Switzerland, or maybe a smaller team in Germany, but when Rafael Benitez came with his cheque book, the phrase "I was never in doubt when Liverpool offered me a contract and I couldn't sign it quick enough" have been more literally ment.
Philipp Degen is not a scandelous weak footballer. When he's fit, he is the first choice in his position on the national team.
His physique and his attacking minded play have raised some eyebrowns. He hasn't got a good accleration, but when he has a route schuelded up, he can be difficult to stop.
His physique and attacking play is his two strongest areas. Other strengths aquired to justify a move to an European giant as Liverpool FC is positioning, mentality and end-product when it comes to crosses and constructive pass and move.
In these areas, I'm afraid Degen is way to weak to be able to contribute enough for a Europen top-club such as Liverpool.
Degen will probably not be the only newbie walking through the gates at Anfield. Gareth Barry and Andrea Dossena are both on a daily- basis being lined up as potentially new players for Rafael Benitez.
Isolated, they are both good players, but I doubt they are players who will get Stevie Gerrards hands closer to the Premier League trophy.
Anyway, the signing of Degen signals that Liverpool haven't learned from last year when they signed Andriy Voronin, who also was a player without a contract or memorable success from the Bundesliga, who didn't deserve to touch the famous "This is Anfield" sign.
Equally with Vornin, Benitez will probably point out that Degen is signed as a back-up player, but if Steve Finnan is on his way back to Fulham and Alvaro Arbeloa is his only
competitor, I can hardly see anything else that the right back positon will be a weak point for Liverpool next season.
Of course, the Spaniard may be restricted in form of funds with all the things happening around the ownership situation, but what is the purpose bringing new playersr in just because they're free?
If the player doesn't have the abilities of a top-class player, which is the case with Voronin and Degen, it doesn't matter if the player is free or gives Rafael Benitez unlimited goods in form of chocolate."
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