Michael Edwards’ return to FSG, will signal a return to the ‘old ways’ for Liverpool. Under Edwards, the focus was the club was always on churning out the most value from Liverpool’s players. And if their performances were not up to the standards, then selling them on for as much money as possible.
Edwards was an efficient operator. He was able to build an extremely successful Liverpool team starting from scratch. Over the course of his previous decade at the club, he was also renowned for selling players well above their transfer value.
Philippe Coutinho left for way more than Barcelona probably wanted to sign him for. The likes of Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke were also sold on for mass profits. All thanks to Edwards being a tough negotiator and standing firm when the push came to shove.
Now as Edwards embarks on his latest challenge at Liverpool, the goal will again be to use his old tricks. And he has plenty to work with. Under Jurgen Klopp this season it’s not just been the fringe players who have stepped up, but the club’s academy stars as well. Inevitably, they will have all increased their transfer values.
What Conor Bradley has done to impress Michael Edwards
Conor Bradley has been one of those academy stars who has really elevated his game recently. Since 2024, he has been a revelation for Liverpool, and has definitely increased his value. Especially if we take a look at his numbers.
Bradley has contributed to seven goals in 2024 – that is the record highest among U21 defenders from Europe’s top five leagues. Overall, for the entire season, Bradley’s seven goal contribution ranks in third place for U21 defenders from Europe’s top five leagues, behind Malo Gusto (8) and Yan Couto (10). Impressively, while the two aforementioned players have achieved their numbers by playing over 2000 minutes so far, Bradley has been able to do this playing just over 1000 for Liverpool – almost half of Gusto and Couto’s minutes.
Based on those numbers alone, it’s difficult to deny Bradley the title of being one of the most exciting young full-backs in world football right now. Certainly, in terms of his output, no one can compare to him in his age peers. Even measuring him up in a category higher – among U23 defenders – Bradley has averaged 0.52 goal contributions per 90 this season, which is again the highest from players playing in Europe’s top five leagues in that category.
He’s also impressed defensively by averaging 9.92 defensive duels per 90 (Wyscout) – a really high volume for a full-back and impressively winning 64.1%. Anything above a 60% rate is a solid return, so Bradley has definitely proven himself defensively as well. Especially when you take into account that he averages 5.38 interceptions per 90 (the highest among Liverpool’s defenders) and 10.6 recoveries.
It perhaps doesn’t come as a surprise thatAlan Shearer has lauded Liverpool’s 20-year-old youngster as ‘outstanding’ recently.
During his time at Liverpool Edwards loved players who increased their transfer value. What Bradley has done over the course of the last few months will have delighted the former Liverpool sporting director. It now means the club has another really valuable asset at right-back.