Liverpool can get free Fabinho solution in January transfer window by signing U21 international
Not many players can provide adequate cover for the skill-set Fabinho brings to the table
at Liverpool.
Even fewer can be acquired for free.
Yet that is the situation of France U21 international Boubacar Kamara, whose contract at Marseille
expires next summer — FSG can negotiate with the player directly from January, and
should seriously think about doing so.
Like Fabinho, Kamara is a defensive midfielder with the emphasis on defensive . In fact,
the Marseille academy product started out as a centre-back, before his obvious technical
qualities led to a move slightly further forward.
However, those instincts for snuffing out danger are as strong as ever — and at 21,
they will only improve.
In a profile on the player, Get Football News France describes how Kamara “is a calm operator
in a dynamic system under Jorge Sampaoli, where defensive stability often goes out of
the window amid Sampaoli’s characteristic organised chaos.”
Sound familiar?
Jürgen Klopp’s particular brand of chaos is not the same as Sampaoli’s, but the ability
to act as an anchor as part of a high-energy, attack-minded team is an ideal trait for a
Liverpool number six.
Of the current squad, only Fabinho really offers that trait.
His absence was felt hard in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and in the first half of the
3-2 win over Atlético Madrid.
It certainly feels as though Kamara is slipping under the radar.
At the age of 21, he has already made 157 senior appearances, and at a relatively high
level.
This includes experience in the Champions League last season, where he played in five
out of the six group stage games — including matches against Manchester City.
While not as established as Fabinho was when the Brazilian joined Liverpool, he has certainly
earned enough pedigree to warrant consideration as an understudy in the defensive midfield
role at Anfield.
In truth, he would be a viable candidate even without the contract situation; the fact that
FSG can acquire him for free, with negotiations possible as soon as January, makes it seem
like an obvious move.
Perhaps the emergence of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni have dampened the
hype around Kamara, but that’s all to the good for Liverpool.
They will surely not have a free pass at the midfielder — Man City have been linked in
the past, and Newcastle United are currently being mentioned the most often.
However, nobody appears to be making a major play for the Marseille man just yet, and FSG
would be wise to steal a march.
Kamara also boasts leadership qualities.
He captained multiple youth sides in his progression through the youth ranks, and has even sported
the armband for the senior side three times this season.
One such game was an impressive goalless draw against a PSG side featuring Lionel Messi,
Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
Another was a comprehensive 2-0 win over Monaco.
In fact, anchored by Kamara, Marseille have only lost twice this season in all competitions.
His composure with the ball at his feet has been a big reason for this.
Like Fabinho, his pass completion rate (87.8%) is unusually high for a midfielder.
On the defensive side of things, he is above average in tackles, clearances and aerials
won.
Again, these are traits he shares with the Liverpool man.
This all bodes well for the future.
While Kamara would have to settle for a squad role initially at Liverpool, he appears to
have all the attributes to become a staple of the next great side at Anfield.
Like James Milner or Joël Matip, he could do so at no cost whatsoever to FSG: a January
approach over a free transfer seems like an obvious course of action.