Amidst the buzz surrounding potential transfers in the footballing world, one name has emerged as a focal point of interest for Liverpool FC: Willian Pacho.

The Colombian defender has been garnering attention for his promising performances, leading to speculation about a potential move to Anfield.

It is set to be a summer of change at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp stepping down from his role as manager come the end of the season.

Arne Slot is set to take the reins at Anfield, with his announcement as the new Reds boss all but officially confirmed.

Determined Liverpool in touch with Bundesliga defensive ace’s agents as summer overhaul draws near	‘Serious’ Liverpool hold talks with agents to sign £50million star – Report	Liverpool 'serious' about $62m Willian Pacho transfer as contract 'talks' opened

It has already been reported that the Reds will look to bolster their defensive ranks this summer.

Virgil van Dijk is not getting any younger and will be turning 33 later this year, while Ibrahima Konate’s injury record leaves a lot to be desired.

Meanwhile, Joel Matip is expected to depart the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.

Therefore, it would make sense for Liverpool to be seeking options in that department – as Konate all the way back in 2021 was the last centre-back Liverpool has purchased.

With that in mind, let’s take a deeper look at Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho.

Early days of Willian Pacho

Willian Pacho was born on Oct 16, 2001 in Quinindé, Ecuador – making him 22 years old.

He began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of local club Del Valle Independiente

The defender honed his skills during his developmental years in the Independiente academy, standing alongside notable graduates such as Piero Hincapie and Moises Caicedo.

He made his professional debut with his boyhood club in 2017 and racked up 40 appearances before leaving for European shores.

In January 2022, he ventured into European football by joining Belgian club Royal Antwerp on a five-year contract.

There, he quickly established himself as a key figure in the first team, flourishing under the guidance of Dutch football legend Mark van Bommel.

Royal Antwerp – A star is born

At Royal Antwerp, Willian Pacho was truly put on the map – and in his debut season no less.

Under van Bommel and paired with former Tottenham Hotspur man Toby Alderweireld, Pacho thrived.

He made 53 appearances for the Belgian club in his first season, only conceding 26 goals in the regular season of the 2022/23 Belgian Pro League.

This made them the tidiest defensive pairing in the league and enabled him to win the Belgian Pro League in his debut season.

Pacho is a physically imposing defender who seems to have an interesting mix of mental and physical attributes.

At 6’2?, he seems ready for the rigours of the Premier League.

However, his impressive body of work in Belgium prompted Eintracht Frankfurt to pick him up just last simmer.

Eintracht Frankfurt – A defender in demand

The 22-year-old defender only arrived at Eintracht Frankfurt in the past summer transfer window, completing a €9m switch from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp.

He is contracted at the Bundesliga until 2028, and it is believed that there is no release clause inserted in his deal.

Standing at 6’2?, Pacho combines physical robustness with an astute sense of positioning, making him a formidable opponent in aerial duels and one-on-one situations.

His ability to read the game and intercept passes contributes significantly to his team’s defensive solidity.

Moreover, Pacho is comfortable with the ball at his feet, often initiating attacks from the back with his precise passing, aligning well with the modern demand for ball-playing defenders.

He has made 57 appearances across all competitions this season for the Bundesliga giants, highlighting that he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

An excerpt from Total Football Analysis’ report on Pacho reads:

“Pacho’s a very tough defender, physically and mentally.”

“At 6’1” tall, Pacho possesses all you want in a defender when talking about physical aptitudes.”

“Mentally, his concentration is one of the keys to his game.”

“He’s careful to cover his back, jump out of his line and make rigorous actions to help his team out from the back.”

“Also, he’s very committed and disciplined.

He can go and help his teammates when they are in a risky situation, but he makes it without a foul, timing his attempts perfectly.”

As a result of his performances, Liverpool are now seemingly keen to bring the Ecuadorian to Anfield.

However, if Pacho departs in the summer, Eintracht will want a fee of approximately €60 million.

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