Degen signed.

[Bo Benn]

Surprised there no thread about our new boy coming in. One reason could be he's a bit unknown and I doubt he is going to be much more than a squad player for us.

 

But still, anyone seen him play?

What's his playing style (mostly interested in his attacking/defensive proneness?)

Can he compete with Alvaro and Finnan?

Is he in the Swiss squad for the euro champs?

[Guest Snorky]

Thread re-opened as he's actually signed now.

[Bailo]

No

Better attacking than defending I think, he's quick

Yes, bet he's first choice next season

Yes

[Guest Snorky]

Some replies on a Basel forum I visit from time to time:

 

In my opinion P. Degen is a really bad player, of course he is technically good, but he doesn't meet his tasks in a team. In Dortmund he played as right defender but only ran forward and didn't come back to defend. There where too much gaps... That's why Dortmund had to find a new defender. 95% of the fans in Dortmund could not understand, why someone like Degen is signing in Liverpool.

 

About Degen: my first reaction was disappointment because I thought he's not the missing link Liverpool needs to seriously mount a title challenge. True, he's had problems with injuries and the system or/and the manager at Dortmund. But... it could turn out to be a good transfer.

 

I think Benitez signed him for one reason: Liverpool often find it difficult to break down ultra-defensive teams and therefore drop points against inferior sides such as Wigan or others. So Liverpool could profit from Degen's attacking style of play in those games. While Finnan and Arbeloa both are better defenders than Degen, an injury-free Degen can cause more problems for any defense and hopefully delivers useful crosses into the box.

 

Anyway, as he is a free transfer there is hardly a risk for Rafa.

 

here's the deal: Degen is a great player, but is not easy to handle. He's only good if he's playing in a system that fits him. He's famous for his rushes along the side, but even in Dortmund he had some trouble. He played for a long time in the starting 11, but after some injuries had a hard time getting back that spot.

 

Like I said, he could be good (if the system fits him), but since he's not an easy character it'll be hard for him. I personally like him and hope he'll do great, but as you can see (maybe not understand ) from the responses here, many people doubt this. But thi may be since his twin brother plays with us and only showed a hand full of good games this season.

[Bailo]

From those descriptions, he appears a very cheap alternative to Alves. The exact same could be said of him, and he's got loads of people creaming over him.

[Guest Snorky]

Another one:

 

I come from germany and I'm supporter from Borussia Dortmund. So I think I can rate Degen correctly.

 

There are some things that make me very angry... So when he loses the ball in the midfield or in the foreign half he doesn't want to take the ball back. He grins and - how I said before - he leaves gaps in the defensive. Perhaps Benitez can make him not to do this. I hope so...

[Eiler99]

From what I can gather he's a quick full back who likes to get forward and can run all day.

 

Sounds a lot like the type of full back Rafa's been after since he came here (Alves, Rafinha). I have no idea if Degen is good enough, though. But we'll get a chance to assess him in the Euros, so I'm looking forward to that.

[Hassony]

From those descriptions, he appears a very cheap alternative to Alves. The exact same could be said of him, and he's got loads of people creaming over him.

 

 

The big difference is that Alves is brazilian and would cost £20m

 

I am sure alves is a better player, but i have never ever seen him having a good game, maybe I am just a jinx on him!

[Hassony]

From what I can gather he's a quick full back who likes to get forward and can run all day.

 

Sounds a lot like the type of full back Rafa's been after since he came here (Alves, Rafinha). I have no idea if Degen is good enough, though. But we'll get a chance to assess him in the Euros, so I'm looking forward to that.

 

I am even more excited about the euros now

[Zoob]

I know nothing about the guy, but as long as he's not a completely useless defender, he could be a very useful signing.

Look how Arsenal and Man U's full backs contribute to their attacks. These players provide more width than the 'wide' midfielders, who tend to cut inside more.

 

And because players like Evra, Sagna, Clichy are all so quick, (and it looks like Degen is quicker than any of our full-backs) they can contribute to the attack and also get back to defend. Out of all the top sides, we must have the slowest full-backs around, and (insults towards JAR aside) that's partly why they contribute less to the attack

[johngibo YPC]

So when he loses the ball in the midfield or in the foreign half he doesn't want to take the ball back. He grins and - how I said before - he leaves gaps in the defensive.

 

That will go down well!!!

[Guest Kaizer]

That will go down well!!!

 

[Guest Snorky]

This is a good one:

 

Enjoy lil' Philipp, you will love him at times, hate him the other 23 hours/day

[Woodsyla]

At least we've firmy established that he's not slow !!!!!!

 

If Degen goes off attacking all the while it will give Mash something to do against crap sides at home i.e covering for the AWOL full back. Only difference for Mash will be this one is on the right side not the left !!!!!!

[Gomez]

The problem for me is that Finnan is one of our best crosses of the ball, so I hope he can do that, no point in running down the wing and not being able to cross, we've had enough of them.

[Hassony]

no point in running down the wing and not being able to cross, we've had enough of them.

Have we?

[fyds]

As said earlier, he provides an alternative we don't have - speed and attacking nouse against those teams who come to set up a wall at Anfield, against whom maybe with Degen in the side, we may go three at the back if that's how Rafa sees his best use. That said, I can't see Rafa or Sammy not expecting him to track back if he loses possession unless there is cover behind him. He could also be one of those players who works a lot better in a better team....after all, Dortmund have been right kak this year and Thomas Doll their manager quit a couple of days ago as they finished about 13th i think.

 

A freebie anyway - so no skin etc.

[fyds]

The problem for me is that Finnan is one of our best crosses of the ball, so I hope he can do that, no point in running down the wing and not being able to cross, we've had enough of them.

Finnan is a great crosser - I'll give you that, but as he's got older he's done that less and less as he seems to be slowing up (or at least using that side of his game less) I can only easily remember the one he put on Torres' head against Spuds this season as an example of his good forward play.

[Bailo]

Finnan is a great crosser - I'll give you that, but as he's got older he's done that less and less as he seems to be slowing up (or at least using that side of his game less) I can only easily remember the one he put on Torres' head against Spuds this season as an example of his good forward play.

Spot on. I've noticed less and less good Finnan crosses this season, he's not played as much obviously, but also, I think he bombs on less as he's concerned at getting back.

[Alonso]

His number at Dortmund was 23 and seems to be the same for the Swiss team so looks like he'll have to find another number, or fight Carra for it!!

[fyds]

His number at Dortmund was 23 and seems to be the same for the Swiss team so looks like he'll have to find another number, or fight Carra for it!!

So Degen can take Kewell's place on the treatment table then...

[Guest Snorky]

He comes from a village called Lampenberg, which means Lamp Mountain

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

Rafa hasn't had a great history signing RB's....

[Bailo]

He comes from a village called Lampenberg, which means Lamp Mountain

How far away from Pieter Vink's birthplace is that?

[Silencio]

Tried him out in Pro Evolution Soccer and he's pretty good. Let's have a party...