Ronald Araujo: real value for Liverpool

According to Sports.

Context

Ronald Araujo, who plays for Barcelona in La Liga, is considered one of the most promising central defenders. Despite limited playing time in previous seasons, his potential and ability make him a valuable asset for Liverpool as they look to improve their defense in a competitive La Liga.

Why is this important

The signing of Ronald Araujo is key for Liverpool as they look to strengthen their defense amid age-related changes in their squad. With the departure of some players and injuries, having a reliable central defender like Araujo could be a decisive factor for the club's success in La Liga football. Araujo, with his La Liga experience, can make a significant contribution to the Reds' defensive line.

Key takeaways

• Ronald Araujo: real value for Liverpool.
• Liverpool are preparing to announce the signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on a one-year loan with an option to buy.
• The very best in Spain: Ronald Araujo's real value to Liverpool explained - Yahoo Sports.

Liverpool will soon announce the signing of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on a one-year loan with an option to buy. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds will be able to pay 55 million euros to finally buy the player next July, while they will cover his entire salary during the loan period.

At first glance, Liverpool's decision seems logical. The team needs a central defender in his prime - a player who could fill the gap between Virgil van Dijk (35), Jeremy Jacquet (21) and Giovanni Leoni (19), offering perhaps more reliability than Joe Gomez. In addition, Araujo can play as a right-back, which is especially important in light of Connor Bradley's injury. Thus, the logic of this transition is quite clear.

However, questions have been raised about Araujo's reliability. Last season he played 1,062 minutes in La Liga, which equates to approximately 12 full matches. This figure was even lower in the previous season - 759 minutes, and only once did he play more than 25 matches in a season (30).

Our model evaluates a player's value by his contribution to the team over the season, taking into account both offensive and defensive value, which can be measured by the number of goals he is involved in and his impact on the defense. This allows you to judge a player's value in terms of his contribution to the team as a whole. Based on this, we believe that Araujo was the most valuable central defender in Spain last season based on average minutes.However, his limited playing time prevents him from being the most valuable defender in La Liga as he has not played enough.


Liverpool hope they can use Araujo on the pitch for more time, thereby increasing his value. For example, his performance in the top 5 European leagues shows that he has one of the best minutes values ​​among centre-backs, but his actual value per season is significantly lower. Virgil van Dijk, despite his relatively low average per 90 minutes, was the third most valuable centre-back in Europe last season.

It should be noted that Araujo is positioned as an attacking full-back and it was his offensive output that increased his value last season. We consider him the most valuable attacking centre-back in Spain last season, again based on average minutes. While his playing time has had a significant impact on his statistics, no other defender can match his per-90-minute numbers over the last three La Liga seasons.

Thus, Araujo is a player to watch in attack and not just in defense.Moreover, for any player, more value can be gained in attack than in defense, and Araujo particularly stands out in this regard. Based on a graph showing the number of successful duels against the percentage of duels won, Araujo is in the average range compared to central defenders in the top 5 leagues in Europe. He's above average in both categories, but not elite in either category. Unlike Virgil van Dijk, who has the best success rate in Europe.

What makes Araujo outstanding? First of all, these are his skills in attack and passing. He was one of three players in the top 5 leagues in Europe to finish in the top 10 in shots and successful passes. This is where Liverpool see their value. Araujo is an attacking asset who is a competent defender but not a great one, but he can have a decisive impact on the ball. Will it cost 55 million euros? Time will show.

What happens next

According to information, Liverpool are expecting an official announcement about the signing of Araujo in the coming days. If the move goes through, it could lead to changes in the team's tactical formation, especially in light of his ability to play as a centre-back and right-back. In case of a successful performance, the club can activate the buyback option, which will strengthen their defense on a long-term basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Liverpool sign Ronald Araujo?

Liverpool are in need of a centre-back and Araujo can fill the gap between Virgil van Dijk and the young defenders, offering greater reliability.

What is Ronald Araujo's loan price for Liverpool?

Liverpool are loaning Ronald Araujo with an option to buy him for 55 million euros next July.

What is Ronald Araujo's performance in La Liga?

Last season, Araujo played 1,062 minutes in La Liga, which equates to approximately 12 full matches.

What positions can Ronald Araujo play in?

Araujo can play as a central defender or as a right-back.

Why is Araujo not considered the most valuable defender in La Liga?

Although Araujo was the most valuable center back in Spain based on average minutes, his limited playing time prevents him from being the most valuable defender in La Liga.

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