Liverpool have officially announced the sale of Jordon Ibe to Bournemouth.
Jordon Ibe makes permanent move to Bournemouth: https://t.co/JZ4vAoF0TD pic.twitter.com/ind4GRnoR0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 14, 2016
Ibe’s progression has stagnated, although he endured a short spell of success just after the appointment of Jürgen Klopp. However, times have changed and Ibe became nothing more than a fringe player for Liverpool in the last part of the season, contributing four goals and two assists in 41 appearances, with over half of these coming from the bench.
He hasn’t convinced the Liverpool staff that he was good enough to be a starter, nor close to unlocking his potential. With Sadio Mane bought for the final spot in the attacking midfield, Ibe could have faced a spell with even less playing time in the upcoming season had he stayed.
When Raheem Sterling was sold for an astonishing £49m, many spent time talking ill of Sterling on Twitter. However, others were ecstatic that we received that kind of money and were pleased that we already had the replacement within our own ranks;Ibe.
Many stated that they rated Ibe higher than Sterling including former Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson who said, “I do feel as though Ibe has the greater ability”. With that said, Ibe hasn’t repaid that faith and have had a hard time dealing with the hype.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ibe is a great talent and he might become a rather good player one day. His pace is always a threat against any defence, but he is lacking the creativity, composure and maybe also the skill to do the unexpected.
I have lost count at the times I have predicted which way he would dribble and I reckon if I can guess his moves, a professional football player can as well!
He becomes way too predictable and has made some poor calls in different situations. At times when he should have used his pace to pass a defender, he decides to dribble and at times where he should challenge the defender with his footwork, he often chooses to accelerate directly into trouble.
Klopp believes in training and in developing players, but somehow Ibe hasn’t progressed as you would have expected. Ibe’s lack of development and impact on the field have left both the coaching staff and Ibe frustrated.
It’s clear to me he needs a fresh start. A new town, a new team and a new set of supporters who won’t hold comparisons with Sterling over him.
In Bournemouth, he will work under the guidance of a young talented manager in Howe, who might be the one to get the best out of him. He will get the chance to play more regularly and play for a club with lesser pressure than he would at Liverpool.
So £15m?
Still only 20-years old, he is British, has already seen his fair share of Premier League action with 58 appearances and that automatically drives up the price.
If he had played a more important role in Klopp’s future plans, we wouldn’t even have consider selling him, but the reality is Klopp doesn’t feel he can get more out of Ibe and somehow I believe Ibe has pushed for a move as well.
So he has potential, but didn’t look like a man with a future in Liverpool.
All things considered, I believe it is a fair price for both the buying and selling clubs.
