A Liverpool transfer target who declined a summer move to Anfield has been described as a “shadow of his former self.”
Last summer, Liverpool underwent a midfield overhaul, welcoming four new stars while bidding farewell to several others. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch arrived with a combined investment exceeding £140 million, contributing to Jürgen Klopp’s team’s rise to the top of the Premier League.
Although Liverpool had various targets, such as Roméo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, they couldn’t secure them. These players, including another notable name, encountered difficulties elsewhere.
Kephren Thuram, brother of Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram and son of French icon Lilian Thuram, was strongly linked with Liverpool last summer. However, after a move didn’t materialize, the Nice midfielder expressed his desire to remain at the Ligue 1 club.
“Regarding the transfer window, I chose to stay,” Thuram stated in November. “I wanted to continue my progression at Nice and evolve as a player in this club. It was gratifying to be linked to various clubs, but I knew I wanted to stay here.”
However, Thuram has since struggled for form at Nice. According to journalist Luke Entwistle, writing for Get French Football News and The Guardian, Thuram has found it challenging to adapt to manager Francesco Farioli’s tactical system, which emphasizes a defensive approach, unlike his preferred box-to-box midfield role.
“Thuram, often lurking in the block’s shadow during recent games, is a mere shadow of his former self,” Entwistle noted.
Nice captain Dante has also observed the 22-year-old’s difficulties. “We’re accustomed to him delivering standout performances, so when he falls short, it’s noticeable,” said the former Bayern Munich defender.
Thuram’s decline has led to him slipping down the pecking order in the French national team, putting his place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming European Championships in jeopardy.
