Liam Bridcutt: Could he do a job?

Tree13 · January 25, 2013

23 year-old ex-Chelsea youth product, defensive midfielder, English... According to Transfermarkt, his contract expires this summer: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/liam-bridcutt/profil/spieler_40612.html

Brighton and Hove Albion are looking pretty handy at the moment and, from watching their cup victory over Newcastle the other week, this chap seems to play a significant role. He was the standout midfielder in that game, easily dominating the Newcastle midfield and shielding his own back four very well. With Osman and Neville both getting on a bit, and Hitz hardly being any younger, this is the type of signing that we need to refresh the squad.

Arsenal will travel to face Brighton in the cup next, which allows us another look at whether there are any other potential diamonds in the rough, but I was wondering whether anyone had paid any attention to this lad in the last few months? Is he a better prospect than Ofoe, for instance?

tasslehoff · January 25, 2013

I heard they are all Voyeurs at that club. Whatever that means like

AaronTheBlue · January 25, 2013

He's a tidy little player, He's small but quite strong and is good on the ball, He'd be worth taking on a free to see how he does / enhance the squad, And if he isn't up to it we could sell him.

bignev23 · January 25, 2013

Of course he could do a job. He could clean the bogs at goodison for us.

tsubaki · January 25, 2013

Would be better than Hitzlberger, Heitinga or Neville as a defensive midfielder, so definately.

Moomin · January 25, 2013

I need to see a Youtube montage before making a comment.

I NEED A MONTAGE.

quasi modo · January 25, 2013

One of mates is a Brighton fan, goes the games regularly, say Bridcutt is the stand out player for them.

Tree13 · January 25, 2013

quasi modo said:
One of mates is a Brighton fan, goes the games regularly, say Bridcutt is the stand out player for them.

Does your pal have any idea why Brighton are allowing Bridcutt's contract to run down? Do the club not rate him, or his he holding out for a bigger deal than they're offering? I don't think I've heard or seen anything in the media about it.

I can't help but think this might be the sort of player Moyes might be looking at, considering his previous successes in identifying lower-league talent. I'll be interested to see how he performs against Arsenal.

quasi modo · January 25, 2013

Tree13 said:
Does your pal have any idea why Brighton are allowing Bridcutt's contract to run down? Do the club not rate him, or his he holding out for a bigger deal than they're offering? I don't think I've heard or seen anything in the media about it.

I can't help but think this might be the sort of player Moyes might be looking at, considering his previous successes in identifying lower-league talent. I'll be interested to see how he performs against Arsenal.

I've just spoke to him about Bridcutt, he said "Best defensive midfielder in the league. Great in the tackle, always has time on the ball, good control, great passer would grace any side outside the top 4or 5 in the Prem"

He also said he was expected to sign a new contract last summer, but nothing has come of it.

Nealroy · January 26, 2013

Ive seen bridcutt quite a bit as i live in brighton and can confirm hes looking like a top player.

He's a bit of a scott parker type dm - strong tackler, turns quick, good in the air for his height, uses ball well but mainly short passes...so not sure he's the deputy for gibbo....more an upgrade on pip.

Was apparently brilliant against arsenal today.

Tree13 · January 26, 2013

Nealroy said:
He's a bit of a scott parker type dm - strong tackler, turns quick, good in the air for his height, uses ball well but mainly short passes...so not sure he's the deputy for gibbo....more an upgrade on pip.

Was apparently brilliant against arsenal today.

I'm pretty sure we could use someone who looks to play short passes as opposed to hoofing. All the better if it kept Neville out of midfield!

Will be watching the Brighton-Arsenal highlights with interest.

chopper6 · January 26, 2013

I also know Bridcutt well (not personally, just as a player)and was at the Brighton game today. He is small but wins alot more headers then you might think considering his size. Athletic, neat passer. Keeps ball well.

Not entirely sure he's what we need though having seen him regularly.