Player focus: Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

So what kind of a defender is Mamadou Sakho?

Blessed with pace, a monstrous build and aggression which makes him both a winner on the field as well as off it, you could argue Mamadou Sakho is a complete centre-back despite just being 23 years of age. He is predominantly left-footed and, although he prefers to play as the left centre-back, he has played on the right and is equally comfortable in both roles. Along with his aggression and undeniable strength in the air, Sakho is perhaps one of the most intelligent young defenders in the game. His reading of the game is that of a seasoned veteran and his positional sense is quite remarkable for someone so young. Very rarely is Sakho caught out of position and on the rare occasion he is, he uses his pace and acceleration to great effect to recover his ground. It is this pace and acceleration which also saw Sakho start his professional career as a left-back playing over 100 games for Paris Saint-Germain in this role.

Physically, Sakho is an imposing defender. However, despite being strong in the tackle and seemingly unbeatable in the air at times, he has an air of elegance and likes to play football which led to French journalists to label him the next Lilian Thuram earlier in his career. Off the pitch and in the dressing room, Sakho is a vocal individual who demands the respect of players much older than him. When Paul Le Guen appointed Sakho his club captain aged just 17, the likes of seasoned internationals Gregory Coupet, Ludovic Giuly and Pauleta also adorned the same dressing room as the Frenchman. However, Sakho was unphased and his team mates quickly learned to respect their young captain whose winning mentality and unnerving ability to organise others around him led to them following their leader rather than rebelling.

It was the same story at youth level. Mamadou Sakho captained France at all youth levels from the Under-16s through to the Under-21s and is now being touted as France’s next captain as manager, Didier Deschamps, has all but made Sakho a permanent fixture in the French national team’s rearguard where he has played eight times for Les Bleus the past season.

So what of Liverpool’s interest in the Frenchman?

With Brendan Rodgers saying at a recent press conference that he would like to bring in another four new faces before the end of the transfer window which would include a left-back and centre-back, Mamadou Sakho’s name has been mooted in the press.

It was initially thought that Paris Saint-Germain would entertain offers of £8m for the French defender but newly installed manager, Laurent Blanc, has stated that he would be open to loan offers for Sakho so long as he signed a renewal to his existing contract. Its a clever move by Blanc as he is willing to allow Sakho to go out on loan in a World Cup year with Thiago Silva likely to partner new signing, Marquinhos, next season; but with the added bonus that he can recall Sakho at the end of his loan spell knowing that he is still under contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

There seem to be numerous suitors across Europe for Mamadou Sakho’s signature with AC Milan, Barcelona and AS Monaco expressing an interest along with Liverpool. Monaco seems the least likeliest destination as they will be in direct competition with Paris Saint-Germain for Ligue 1 next season which leaves AC Milan, Barcelona and Liverpool to fight it out for his signature.

With Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates’ futures looking far from certain and with Jamie Carragher having retired at the end of last season, there could very well be a place for Mamadou Sakho in Liverpool’s rearguard this forthcoming season. Likewise, another aspect that will appeal to Brendan Rodgers is Sakho’s ability to play left-back. Although Aly Cissokho seems nailed on to join Liverpool on loan, it gives Rodgers another option and like with all big teams, competition for places is always a welcome headache for managers.