Mascherano Wants Inter Move
Argentina captain, Javier Mascherano, has hinted that he wants a move away from Liverpool with Inter Milan said to be interested in signing him.
It is thought that the Liverpool midfielder greatly respects his former boss, Rafa Benitez, and wants to move to Italy in order to play for him. However, it does not seem that the player has been able to sit down with new Liverpool boss, Roy Hodgson, and discuss his future.
There are still players from both of these sides who will be in South Africa and need to move back to each club before these clubs can talk to all of their players and address any commitment and transfer issues.
It's very important that Liverpool try and hang on to Mascherano because he gives them a lot of things that no other players at the club can provide. Therefore, if he leaves then the club will have to work very hard at finding a quality replacement.
Benitez Respect
It is clear that the player holds a great deal of respect for Benitez. Sometimes players can get very attached to certain managers that they admire and respect. Therefore, when that manager moves away it is only natural to expect these players to want a move in the same direction.
Mascherano is very much a feature of the way that Benitez likes to play football and he would give Inter Milan something they do not already have. This would be a deep determination in the area just in front of the back four, which the Argentine would display perfectly.
It's also become very clear that Benitez helped Mascherano out a great deal personally when the player first moved to Liverpool after a confusing spell at West Ham United. There would have been a whole group of personal issues that the player needed to overcome e.g. the language barrier, and Benitez worked wonders in these areas.
Liverpool Worries
There are worries for Liverpool if they do not fight to keep the player at the club. Roy Hodgson may not have had a chance to sit down with this player, and others, in order to assess whether they really want to be at the club.
Hodgson is one of the most respected managers in the global game and he has many attributes, which could help persuade Mascherano to stay at Liverpool. He knows more than two languages and this something Benitez does not possess.
Hodgson also has the ability to make the most uncharismatic of players have a big impact on the game. The Argentine will feature heavily in any plans he has because any team in the modern game needs a player who can sit and protect the defence.
If Mascherano does move to Inter Milan then you can bet with confidence that the Italian champions will retain their title. You can bet on them to do so even if Mascherano stays put because they are good enough. The point is that if the player wants to go, then Benitez may jump at the chance to sign him.
Liverpool are not as likely to win the Premier League next season. If the player stays where he is then he will still have a very important role to play in the side but the point is that he won't enjoy as much success and the club do not have any Champions League football.
As for Mascherano as a player, he will never score that many goals. However, he is likely to pop up with the odd booking every so often and there is a good chance that he will score many points in terms of tackles and assists.
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