The Spaniard was the talk of the top flight 12 months ago, as the relatively unknown quantity from Rayo Vallecano bagged 18 goals in 35 league appearances during his debut season in England.
This year has been comparatively underwhelming for him though, with Michu having only scored two league goals, while a troublesome ankle injury has limited him to just 12 appearances.
On the pitch he has cut a disconsolate figure, with Swansea’s regression from high-flying Capital One Cup winners to relegation battlers seemingly affecting the confidence levels of their stars.
But with Swansea potentially Football League-bound and the man who signed Michu now gone, should the Premier League’s biggest sides turn their attentions back to the Spaniard again?
Liverpool have been linked with him in the past, with the Reds’ boss Brendan Rodgers reportedly seeing the 27-year-old as capable of thriving in his free-flowing attack line.
Michu’s quality was obvious as Swansea initially thrived under Laudrup and, while his form has suffered during this campaign, in a much better team he could rediscover the form that made his name in England.
The perfect example of that can be seen in the amount of opportunities Swansea create. Last season the Swans recorded a total of 376 shots and chances, of which 88 of those came to Michu, who in turn scored 18.
Last season Michu took 23.4 per cent of all the shots taken by Swansea, whereas this campaign in a struggling team the attacker has attempted only 9.5 per cent of the 243 chances created by the Welsh side, making it less surprising that his goals-per-game ratio has dropped from a goal less than every two matches to a goal every six games.
By comparison Liverpool have totalled 314 shots and chances in the Premier League to date this season, scoring 58 goals (or 18.5 per cent of their chances created). In a team that creates more opportunities, Michu would have a better chance to improve his goals-per-game ratio.
But where would Michu fit in at Anfield? Liverpool boast a number of attackers, each providing something different for Brendan Rodgers, but none in the Michu mould.
Given the way that Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are playing this season, it’s fair to say Michu wouldn’t displace any of them right now, but he would certainly improve the Reds’ options.
Over the course of the season, injuries and suspensions are inevitable and squad strength has a large say in which clubs challenge for the title and top four places.
As Liverpool battled in vain to gain three points at West Brom recently, would the Reds rather have looked to their bench and see Iago Aspas, or Michu?
Even the fact that Michu has not been nearly as impressive this year compared to last can be seen as a good thing, potentially lowering his transfer value for any bidders.
Liverpool can’t afford to burn money like Man City and Chelsea, so acquiring a proven Premier League talent at knockdown price could be too good an opportunity to ignore.
Written by Steve Milne
