Should He Stay or Should He Go: Fabio Aurelio
9Monday, January 04, 2010 by Paul Grech
There are two scenarios that normally come into play when a player enters the final six months of his contract: either panic because of the imminent loss of a player for free or else relief at the realisation that someone who wouldn't otherwise be shifted is about to leave.
Deciding which end of those two Fabio Aurelio fits into, however, isn't that simple.
For a player who arrived at Anfield having won Spanish league titles with Valencia and with the promise of being as good a passer as Alonso, he has decidedly disappointed albeit through little fault of his own: an apparently neverending list of injuries has instead seen to that.
Then again, on those occasions that he has been able to play with some regularity he has shown that he could be quite a good player not to mention an ace free-kick taker. The problem with Aurelio is that those occasions have been far too infrequent. Every time he starts getting some momentum, he is out injured.
Which causes a number of problems for Benitez. Realistically Aurelio cannot really aspire to hold down a regular spot but, at the same time, it is equally debateable whether he can be considered a good backup if he is injured when he is needed. It is, perhaps, why Emiliano Insua keeps his left-back spot despite struggling in recent weeks whilst Aurelio has been getting minutes filling in on the left side of midfield.
And it is also why Liverpool have been so reluctant in granting him a new contract. A pay-as-you-play deal, something that has been rumoured, seems to be the most sensible way forward except perhaps for the player himself.
Even so, from his side of the fence there must be some doubt whether there is any other club out there willing to offer him a contract that exceeds one season. For Aurelio has had too many minor problems for his injuries to be written off as merely down to ill luck: his body simply cannot seem to handle playing regularly. And that's without taking into consideration the challenge that comes from playing to actually win things which is what is on offer at Liverpool.
Fully fit and capable of handling a full season, there isn't much doubt that Aurelio would be a very good player. Unfortunately, his fitness is too much of an issue to really consider him a vital player in the squad. Losing him would hurt Liverpool - not least because it would mean that money would have to be spent to bring in someone as back-up for Insua - but unless the terms of any new contract can take into account his injuries then it will be a sacrifice that Liverpool will have to make.
Does Fabio Aurelio deserve a new contract? Or is he too injury prone? Join the debate on twitter.
Category Fabio Aurelio
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9 comments »
one of the worst player to wear a liverpool shirt. he's a leftback and yet he can't defend. play him at left midfield, he has no pace nor dribbling kills to go past defenders. play him at central midfield, he's too lightweight, most central midfielders in the league will have him for breakfast, lunch and dinner. his only redeeming quality is his freekicks, but those are far and few, so tell me what's this useless prick here for again?
Shut up you knob, he's quality at holding the ball up, he has excellent control and passing and only has one problem, his injuries. Problem is he isn't played at left back which is where he should be rather than Insua.
Fabio Aurelio is a much better full back than Insua, i'm not saying he's great by any means, but Insua, like Lucas is short of the mark, since these two players have become regulars, Liverpool look and are ordinary. Combine this with Rafa's incompetence(oh, i know i'll play two holding midfielders against whipping boys) and there's your problem. Two new full backs, two new wingers, a playmaker and stiker to play with Nando please.
well said anony 3.50pm.
The guy also got us kicked out of the CL last year. He left Ballack all alone for a simple tap in.
What?!?! For a free transfer Aurelio (when fit) has been great for the club. He was probably one of the best left-backs in the league last season. Admittedly, this season, he hasn't been good, but that is probably down to the fact that he hasn't played in his natural position this season. He has played at left-mid and centre-mid due to our long list of injuries. Insua has occupied the left back position!
That comment is totally out of order. Last year when we went on the run in which we battered Man U, Real Madrid, Aston Villa etc etc, Aurelio was one of our best performers. In fact, he was probably the most in form full back in Europe during that run. He was a brilliant buy for FREE! Quality left back.
quality leftback?? man, how many times has he let players ghost in from behind to nick a goal? countless!!!! no doubt insua is not as good, BUT he's young and he WILL improve. aurelio, pls......he's 30 and he's good enough for the championship not the premierleague.
He makes Harry Kewell look like an Anfield legend.
I does not matter if he is the best left back in the world which he is not by the way, simply put it if you are constantly injured for half the season than you are of not much use. Nando does get injured too but whenever he is on the field he makes an impact most of the time (Aston Villa Game). Add our hapless manager and Lucas keeping him is a disaster, just like we regret giving that waiter a new 5 year deal.
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