Liverpool have completed the signing of Isaac Christie-Davies from Chelsea after the young midfielder was not offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
We’ve spoken to Read Chelsea’s Ryan Darby to find out more about the player and what we can expect from him at Anfield.
Here is what Ryan had to say about Liverpool’s latest signing.
What sort of player is Christie-Davies?
Christie-Davies can be a really exciting player to watch. He has a good habit of picking up good pockets of space in the final third and is usually quite good on the ball.
He has an eye for a goal too, almost Frank Lampard-esque, he was known to find himself in the box, getting on the end of things during his time at Chelsea.
Are we right in saying he’s enjoyed a successful time at Chelsea?
He, along with the rest of the players his age did enjoy a successful time at the club. He won back-to-back FA Youth Cups and was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Youth League.
To some, that may not sound like a lot. However, at Chelsea, despite what many people think, the achievements at youth level are held in very high regard.
Especially the UEFA Youth League, which they have won twice in recent years. It is something the club are very proud of.
While Chelsea as a club are struggling to get these lads into the first-team squad, there is a conservative effort to dominate at youth level, and they have done in recent years.
The aim is for these young lads to go far in competitive competitions, giving them that winning mentality that you need to make it at the very top.
Can it make the grade at Liverpool?
I think it is really interesting that Liverpool have snapped up Christie-Davies so quickly. After having him on trial last season, they’ve clearly seen something they like.
Regardless of whether they saw a future for him at Stamford Bridge or not, this will come as a blow to lose a young player to a divisional rival.
He has a lot of work to do, both technically and tactically if he wants to make it at Liverpool, but they clearly have a plan for him.
Is there a Liverpool player you’d compare him to?
It is always really difficult to compare youth players because naturally, their game is going to change to so much over the years.
He’s got a bit of a presence about him, he’s technical with a good eye for a pass. In that respect, you could possibly draw comparisons to the recently-departed Emre Can in terms of size and technical ability, but he’s probably someone who is more mobile and more likely to get himself into the final third with the aim of finding the back of the net.
Do you envisage him taking a similar role to Dominic Solanke?
He turns 21 in October, so I think he has another season at youth level in him.
I think a loan move could be beneficial, but also a big risk at the same time.
Another year at youth level, adapting to Liverpool’s style of play and the environment there is probably the best idea for him in the long run.
Solanke was very much viewed as the back-up striker, but with the way Liverpool player, that meant he got very little game time. You may see Christie-Davies in the early rounds of the cup competitions, but I wouldn’t expect him to have such a predominant role in the first-team squad next season.
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