Luzhny has described Konoplyanka as a ‘headless chicken.’
Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk winger Yevhen Konoplyanka in the January transfer window.
However, the £15m Ukraine star is not suited to English football, claims former Arsenal defender and national compatriot of Konoplyanka – Oleg Luzhny.
“I saw how he played in the second leg of the play-off against France, when Ukraine lost 3-0, and he was like a headless chicken,” Luzhny was quoted by the Sun.
“It is a completely different level. When you play in the Ukraine, you can afford not to run. Against France, it was evident that Konoplyanka barely runs at all.
“He is a good player, but he is suited to Spain or Italy, not England. He’s far better suited to there, I just don’t think the English league is right for him.”
Luzhny spent four years with the Gunners between 1999 and 2003, winning the FA Cup twice and the Premier League title.
The 45-year-old has been managing in Ukraine for the past nine years and has seen a lot of Konoplyanka, who is a 24-year-old winger that has risen through the ranks at Dnipro.
The Reds were looking to make a £15m move for the Ukrainian, after missing out on Mohamed Salah to league rivals Chelsea.
However, manager Brendan Rodgers may have yet another deal hijacked as Spurs also entered the race to sign Konoplyanka.
The attacking midfielder’s current contract with Dnipro runs out in 18 months and while the club don’t want to lose the player, if the offer is right they could well be tempted.
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