There are reports that Daley Blind may be one of the left backs on Rodgers' transfer wish list, especially after his two solid World Cup performances for the Dutch, but is really that good? Let's take a look at his output last season for Ajax and compare it to last season for Flanagan and the previous campaign of Jose Enrique.
| Blind | Flanagan | Enrique |
| age | 24 | 21 | 28 |
| app(subs) | 29 | 23 | 25(4) |
| mins | 2503 | 1890 | 2257 |
| goals | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| assist | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| chances | 37 | 13 | 26 |
| gcp90 | 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.24 |
| ccp90 | 1.33 | 0.62 | 1.04 |
| pass% | 88.1 | 83.7 | 80.4 |
| bp% | 38.7 | 42.6 | 37 |
| sacc% | 28.6 | 42.9 | 36.4 |
| shot% | 3.6 | 14.3 | 9.1 |
| tack pm | 2.7 | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| tack % | 50.4 | 45.7 | 75.3 |
| int pm | 2.6 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| clear pm | 2 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| dribb past pm | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.3 |
| bs pm | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| adwon pm | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.4 |
| adwon% | 65.7 | 46.8 | 38.2 |
| own goals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TTI90 | 10.9 | 9.2 | 15.6 |
Overall, I would have to agree Blind is a slightly better player than Flanagan and Enrique. He is clearly better at passing, chance creating, and aerial duels, but should work on his shot selection. The problem I have with Blind is how much will he cost and is it worth bringing in a slightly better player, especially one who is currently riding the World Cup hype train though his club stats
aren't anywhere near someone like Ricardo Rodriguez?
A couple of things that should be factored in is that he not only plays in the Eredivisie, but he plays for the best team in the league. Ajax has won the league four straight years now, though only by an average of five points. Ajax and PSV usually have the best talent in the league, so his stats, especially his passing are probably skewed by having the most talented teammates.
His age should be taken into account as well. He is 24, three years Flanagan's senior. Who is to say Flanagan won't be as good or better if he can get the playing time over the next few seasons? Flanagan seems to improve slightly every match and his stats from the Prem last year are not too shabby considering his inexperience.
I'm not saying it would hurt to add another left back, we are gonna need at least three players at every position to get through next year's schedule congestiation if we want to be successful, but why bring in just another good player when there's a Rodriguez out there? Blind is satisfactory, but Rodgers can't get caught up in all the World Cup ballyhoo.
