Why do Real Madrid want Liverpool Sporting Director Michael Edwards?
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 14 Dec 2021 18:36 GMT
- 5 min read
Since the mid-2010s Liverpool have re-established themselves as a powerhouse in English and European football.
After a period of slump, the Reds are now one of the most feared teams in the continent, with Jurgen Klopp's high-energy style of play helping to secure their second Champions League trophy in 2019, and their first ever Premier League trophy the following year.
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However, Liverpool have managed to climb up the ranks without the same resources as their rivals. While Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs have a seemingly unlimited transfer kitty, the Anfield side certainly don't. They aren't as wealthy, so they can't spend as much. It means they have to be clever in the market, and there's one man who has directed that vision since Klopp's arrival. His name? Michael Edwards.
Edwards is Liverpool's Sporting Director until the end of the season, when his current contract expires. The club have announced that Edwards won't be renewing his deal, with Julian Ward set to be his replacement. It will mark the end of a remarkable period of success for Liverpool, who have Edwards to thank for their recent triumphs.
While Klopp has been rightfully praised for his work at the club, Edwards deserves just as much acclaim for his role.
In charge of identifying talent, and executing a transfer strategy, Edwards effectively makes all decisions regarding transfers at Liverpool, whether that be arrivals or departures.
So, him leaving will be a big miss. Not only will his absence be felt, but he could also begin working his magic at another European giant. That is according to The Independent, who have reported that Real Madrid are interested in appointing Edwards as their new Sporting Director for next season.
The report says that Los Blancos have already approached Edwards and 'are hopeful they can persuade him to take the role.'
Unlike their Clasico rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid have already begun an effective transfer policy. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos left over the summer, but their exits were easily dealt with by signing David Alaba on a free transfer, and promoting Eder Militao to a starting role, which has worked brilliantly as the Brazilian has been excellent.
Youngsters such as Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo have all been signed recently, all in an attempt to reduce the average age of the squad.
However, they feel Edwards would help take them to the next level. But, why?
Excellent talent identification
One of Edwards' greatest qualities is identifying talent before anyone else. Although Joe Gomez has fallen out of favour this year, Edwards helped agree a deal to bring him to Anfield from Charlton back in 2016, signing the defender before he was a household name. Roberto Firmino was also signed that summer, and while the move was initially seen as an over-payment, it's certainly worked out. Nobody else was seriously interested in Firmino, yet Edwards struck in the knowledge he would perfectly suit Klopp's style of play.
Other examples include signing Joel Matip on a free transfer, nabbing Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle, and agreeing a deal with Hull City for Andy Robertson in 2018.
That doesn't include the more well-known stars such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Alisson, all of whom have been incredible servants for the club.
Power in negotiations
The deals for Van Dijk and Alisson may be seen as worth it now, but at the time they were both viewed as excessive. However, ignoring those two moves, and Edwards knows how to operate on a shrewd budget. Robertson was signed for only £1 million more than Chelsea paid for a six-month loan deal for Gonzalo Higuain in 2019, and both Salah and Mane were similarly bought for only £1m more than the Blues spent on Tiemoue Bakayoko.
That shows how good Edwards is at negotiating. When selling players, he is arguably even better. He managed to accumulate a combined £57.5m for Dominic Solanke, Jordan Ibe, and Rhian Brewster, which says it all really.
Philippe Coutinho was also sold for an extortionate price, which funded the aforementioned moves for Van Dijk, and Alisson.
Edwards is an expert in this field, and Real Madrid are keen on using that to their advantage.
Knowing when to sell
Not only is Edwards an expert negotiator, he also knows when to sell. The problem that befell Barcelona just as much as their ridiculous spending, was keeping hold of ageing players, or those in their prime who were wanted elsewhere.
Edwards doesn't fall for the same tricks, which is why he sold Coutinho when he did. Many Sporting Director's would've kept hold of the Brazilian given his importance to Liverpool at the time, but Edwards recognised that he'd be more valuable to the club by being sold, than kept.
It's that kind of smart thinking that has helped Liverpool to keep up with Manchester City, despite their disadvantage in the spending department.
