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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Nathan Bliss

Would reported target Dani Ceballos be a good signing for Liverpool? We asked Football Manager

It's predicted to be a quite summer transfer window for Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp happy with the balance of his squad, and will only enter the market if it's for the right player.

The right player might just be a creative midfielder, a player who can unlock stubborn defences with accurate passes in the final third and would add that extra bit of quality to an already impressive midfield lineup.

One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent days is Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, who has just won the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championships with Spain this summer.

So, would he be a good signing for Liverpool?

And, what kind of player is he?

We asked Football Manager 2019 to find out.

Dani Ceballos - Real Madrid

Dani Ceballos celebrates a goal (Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Current ability: 145/200

Potential ability: 168/200

Positions: CM/AMC/AMR/AML/DM

Best attributes: Passing (16), technique (16), dribbling (15), first touch (15), vision (15), work rate (15), acceleration (15), long throws (14), bravery (14), decisions (14), leadership (14), agility (14).

(Football Manager 2019)

Ceballos is an exciting midfield talent, who excels in all areas, but particularly in terms of technical ability.

The Spaniard's strong passing, first touch, technique, dribbling, vision, long shots and finishing attributes make him a very creative and clever player, who can hurt the opposition in a variety of ways.

In terms of mental attributes, the Real Madrid midfielder is extremely well-developed for a 22-year-old, with high attributes for leadership, work rate, decisions, bravery, teamwork, positioning, concentration, composure, aggression and anticipation.

Physically, the former Real Betis man is very quick and has decent stamina, but isn't particularly strong, but that doesn't make a massive difference in the modern game.

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Ceballos has a current ability of 145 out of 200 on Football Manager 2019, to put that into context, that's slightly lower than the likes of Gini Wijnaldum (155), Naby Keita (153) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (151).

However, the Spanish under-21 international has a potential ability of 168 out out 200, which would make him the best midfield player at Liverpool, much more highly rated than Fabinho (156).

In fact, if Ceballos was to reach his full potential, Football Manager 2019 predicts that he could be as good as players like Toni Kroos, Miralem Pjanic, Thiago and better than Bernardo Silva and N'Golo Kante.

If Liverpool were thinking about bringing in a more creative midfielder this summer, someone who could unlock opposition defences with clever passes, impressive dribbling and skill, Ceballos should be right at the top of their list.

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