Hamann: Can could be very important
Dietmar Hamann has hailed the confirmation of Emre Can's transfer to Liverpool, providing an expert lowdown on why the midfielder could be 'very important' for the club's future.
The 20-year-old's switch from Bundesliga contenders Bayer Leverkusen was formalised today after a deal had been agreed in principle for the talented and versatile youth international last month.
A predecessor in his position at Anfield, compatriot Hamann has followed the German youngster's progress closely and delivered a glowing report on Brendan Rodgers' third summer signing.
"He's a very talented player," the 2005 Champions League winner told Liverpoolfc.com of Can, who represented Bayern Munich before joining Leverkusen.
"He's a technically gifted player of Turkish origin; these players always handle the ball very well. He's also not short of pace and he's physically strong.
"He left Bayern Munich last year and went to Bayer Leverkusen and had a good season. He played more or less every position for Leverkusen; they had a few injuries and he had to play in a lot of positions.
"He still has to find his best position. I'm sure that Brendan will have a position in mind. But when you have got players who are versatile, it's almost like having an extra player in your squad, because if they stay fit and you can use somebody in two or three positions, it's a big asset to the club, the team and the squad.
"I think his best position is at centre midfield, even though he can play at the back or a bit further forward. I think central midfield or defensive midfield is his best position. He's only very young, but he's physically strong and technically gifted so the English game should suit him.
"You've got to be careful not to expect too much early on because when you come into a different country, it's different football in England. He's only 20 years of age. But for the future he could be a very important player for Liverpool for years to come."
Can arrives at Anfield with experience belying his age; he clocked up 29 appearances in Germany's top flight during 2013-14 and featured seven times in the Champions League.
Hamann believes, therefore, that the midfielder has the credentials to compete for a berth in Rodgers' starting XI from the outset of his time with the club.
The 40-year-old added: "He's ready to play. If you play six or seven games in the Champions League - last season Leverkusen got into the knockout stages - then you've got to be ready to play for any team in the Champions League.
"Don't forget that there'll be a lot of players in the squad next season who haven't featured in the Champions League, so he may be one of the few players who has actually played in the Champions League - which counts for a lot.
"He has got some experience in the competition. Sometimes people take a few weeks or months to adapt, so I wouldn't be too harsh on him in the first three or four months.
"But come Christmas, at the latest, you should see the real Emre Can. He may hit the ground running, which would be a bonus and I hope he does.
"He's ready to play. I don't think he's a player that Brendan bought to play in two or three seasons - this is a player he wants to play now. If he does the right things and if he plays as well as he did in Germany, I'm sure he will.
"I'm just excited to see him. It is different football [in England] - it's not as physical and quick in Germany. I'll be interested to see how he does.
"But I think potentially he could be a tremendous buy for Liverpool. Maybe not in the first six months or the first year, but over the course of his contract he could be a very important player."