There has been a lot of talk this summer with regards to the future of Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles. There is speculation that Liverpool may be willing to sell Raul following the arrivals of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam this summer. Both are central midfielders and considered a threat to Meireles’ position in the team. A lot of rumours have circulated that Raul may be headed to Italy this summer with Inter Milan showing a great deal of interest.
But Raul has spoken out today (Tuesday) whilst on tour in China with Liverpool that he is not planning on leaving the club this summer.
When Raul was asked if he would still be a Liverpool player this coming season, he replied: “Of course.”
Meireles has also had an ankle problem, but he says he is feeling a lot better now: “I have a little problem with my ankle, but I’ve start training today. It’s a little problem.”
So for now we know that the player himself is keen on staying at Liverpool which quashes the speculation that he was not happy with his current contract at the club. We still have to wait and see if the club want to sell him now that we have so many central midfielders or is it simply going to mean we are going to have lots of players fighting for positions which will bring out the best in them? Or will the club look to cash in on Meireles since we have an overflow of midfielders?
I’m hoping that Raul stays as he’s a quality player and we need competition for places. Comolli has said that the team won’t sell its best players and Raul certainly fits into that category. I can see Adam sitting behind Gerrard and Lucas playing his long diagonal passes with Meireles just in front of those two supporting Suarez and Carroll. Henderson and Raul can both play on the right at times also, so there may be a way to make Adam/Meireles/Henderson fit into the same starting eleven. We’re also bound to have injuries.
I guess thats good news.