Scout Report – Iago Aspas

Having acquired Luis Alberto from Sevilla late last week, Liverpool returned to La Liga to finally complete the signing of Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo on a long-term deal. The 25-year-old passed a medical at the club on Sunday afternoon and, subject to international clearance, will arrive at Anfield for a fee believed to be in the region of £7.7m.

The club’s third signing of the summer, after the Reds also picked up Kolo Toure earlier this month, Aspas is reported to have rejected the likes of Valencia and Swansea, in addition to interest from Spain and Italy, in order to push through the transfer. In an interview with the club’s official website, he went on to say:

“It wasn’t a tough decision at all. I’m really happy to have come to a big club like this one. Having weighed up all my options for this window, a massive club like Liverpool was always my first choice. I’ve not had the chance to talk with the manager at any length just yet but I think that good players can slot into any role and not just one set position.”

The History

A product of the Celta Vigo youth academy, Aspas’ career kicked off in 2006-07 for the club’s reserves. He spent three seasons there, scoring 11 goals in 84 appearances before making his first-team breakthrough towards the end of the 2008-09 campaign, where he notched twice in three appearances for the-then second division-based side.

Installed as the club’s main forward, Aspas proceeded to score nine times in 64 league games over the next couple of seasons before finally finding his feet in 2011/12. Racking up 23 strikes in 35 matches, he ended the campaign as top scorer in the Spanish second division, with his displays helping clinch his side’s promotion. Last term was Aspas’ first in La Liga, which he passed with flying colours – with 12 goals and seven assists in 34 appearances his contribution was key to Celta’s survival, playing a part in 19 of their 37 goals over the course of the campaign. Intriguingly, Aspas’ 57% shot accuracy last term would have been second highest in the Premier League, according to the Liverpool site, with Luis Suarez further down the list on 50%.

The Prospects

Although he was mainly fielded as the lone striker in Celta’s 4-2-3-1 system, Aspas will offer Liverpool plenty versatility should Rodgers persist with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Predominantly left-footed, the Spaniard can be fielded on either flank as well as through the middle and, in addition to possessing a keen eye for goal, is technically adept and will afford the Reds plenty creativity up top.

Crucially for Rodgers, Aspas is also a dynamic type of player who will slot in seamlessly with the club’s pressing game, hassling and chasing down defenders from the front. Judging by the praise from certain quarters, his arrival looks yet another good bit of business from Rodgers, though ultimately, the future of Luis Suarez is likely to determine just where the new boy is utilised. If Rodgers decides to sell his star man, Aspas could well vie with Daniel Sturridge for the central role, though the pair could also alternate on the right, with Rodgers even looking for an interchanging front three along with Philippe Coutinho during matches.

The rumoured deal for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also play a part in how we assess the Anfield landscape, with the Armenian’s preference for a role in “the hole” suggesting a move to 4-2-3-1 if he eventually completes his mooted move. Certainly, Rodgers’ desire for increased squad competition this season looks on the cards, though Aspas can surely be expected to knock the likes of Stewart Downing down the pecking order. Although the Liverpool boss sang Alberto’s praises after snapping up the youngster last week, his lack of first-team experience may see him settle for game time from the bench, while the likes of Raheem Sterling and Fabio Borini may have to accept squad roles in the campaign ahead.

Aspas’ price is obviously key across the Fantasy games. Liverpool racked up 71 goals in their first season under Rodgers – the fourth most impressive record in the Premier League – highlighting the potential of their main attacking assets. A cost of around 8.5 to 9.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) seems likely and if Suarez does indeed depart, the Spaniard could well be earmarked by many managers as a real alternative to Sturridge as part of our front three. Ideally, it would suit Fantasy managers best for Suarez to still be at Merseyside when the player price lists are revealed next month and then leave before the season starts – this would ensure he comes in at a cost in accordance with last term’s displays and allow the Reds’ other forwards a kinder price tag. Suarez is, of course, suspended for Liverpool’s opening six fixtures of the season and while Sturridge is currently nursing an ankle injury, he is expected to be ready well in advance for the opener in a couple of months’ time.

There’s no doubt that Coutinho’s cost is also likely to have a say in our plans, though. If, as expected, he remains classified as a midfielder, a price of around 8.0 to 8.5 may be enough to persuade many to invest in the brilliant Brazilian and free up a vital space for our forward three. Given that he produced nine or more points in three of the last four Gameweeks of 2012/13, the former Inter man may well prove the best value of any Liverpool attacker next time round, though if Aspas turns out to be Suarez’s direct replacement, both Coutinho and Sturridge have already shown it’s not all about marquee signings when assessing Liverpool’s Fantasy prospects.

The fixture list is also in Liverpool’s favour. With home games against Stoke, Southampton and Palace allied with trips to Villa, Swansea and Sunderland, Rodgers’ side have the strongest schedule of any side in the opening seven Gameweeks, according to our season ticker. Goals seem likely, then, but picking the correct Liverpool option is becoming increasingly tricky as Rodgers continues to strengthen his options – there is no denying Aspas is a quality signing but perhaps it’ll be only at the end of August, when the transfer window slams shut and Liverpool’s shopping spree is done, that we’re likely to get a better handle on his Fantasy potential for the season ahead.

Further Reference

Iago Aspas Wikipedia

Iago Aspas Transfer Markt Page

Iago Aspas 2012/13 Highlights