Former Italian shot-stopper Giovanni Galli believes Liverpool summer signing Bradley Barcola is not much better than Alieu Njie.
Former Fiorentina goalkeeper Giovanni Galli has sensationally claimed that Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola is not much better than Alieu Njie, describing the £123 million signing as only marginally superior to the Swedish youngster who joined Fiorentina on loan with a £14 million buy option.
Galli believes Njie has the potential to become a major player despite his limited experience at senior level, and suggested there is little separating him from some of Europe’s most expensive young wingers. His assessment centres on Njie’s bilateral attacking threat, a quality increasingly prized in modern wing play.
“There’s one player I’m crazy about and I think he could be a real powerhouse in two years: Njie,” Galli told Lady Radio via TEAMtalk.
“I don’t think Barcola and Diomande are much better than this guy, who still needs to put together a few things like finding some goals, but he’s someone who can beat players both left and right, combines pace with stamina.”
Galli also addressed comparisons between Njie and Rafael Leao, although he believes the Fiorentina winger has his own characteristics.
“Some have compared him to Leao, who is certainly a great talent, but has very different attitudes.”
Is Njie really on Barcola’s level?
The comments will raise eyebrows given the huge difference between the two players’ transfer fees. Liverpool made Barcola their major attacking investment after Mohamed Salah left the club during the summer, eventually agreeing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain that could reach £123 million.
The Frenchman has featured five times for Liverpool so far but is yet to register a goal or assist. Andoni Iraola has also indicated that he wants competition across the flanks, meaning Barcola may not automatically start every match.
Njie, meanwhile, joined on a season-long loan from Torino, with Fiorentina holding a £14 million purchase option. The 21-year-old is still at a very different stage of his career to Barcola. He has made only 35 league appearances in total and has contributed to just three goals.
However, Njie’s early displays have clearly impressed Galli. The Sweden youth international has already provided an assist in four appearances for Fiorentina and will now have the opportunity to establish himself in Serie A. Barcola, by contrast, arrives at Liverpool with considerably greater experience and expectations after developing into an important player at PSG and earning recognition with France.
Whether Njie can convert his loan into a permanent switch at Fiorentina will largely depend on his ability to sharpen his finishing. Galli might believe that the 21-year-old as talented as Barcola, but as things stand, the Fiorentina winger needs to do a lot more to be considered on the same level as the Liverpool summer arrival.
