Category Uncategorized

Since first breaking into Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded line-up at the Bernabeu last season, the career of Spain’s latest striking sensation has been on a very steady rise in-deed. 22-year-old Alvaro Morata has been in impressive form for Seire A giants Juventus this season, and despite having to operate largely from the bench under Massimiliano Allegri, his contribution in the famous black & white has been largely appreciated by fans of the Old Lady.

The former Real Madrid star has a decent goalscoring return in 2014/15, scoring six goals from eighteen league appearances, whilst supplying his teammates with four well deserved assists in the process. Although such statistics may not be the cause for widespread praise or acclaim in the Spaniard’s direction, when you consider that most of his appearances have come as a substitute, the potential on offer from Morata really starts to become apparent.

Despite Real Madrid having first ‘dibs’ on any move linking their former talent away from Juventus, the technically gifted striker has reportedly been attracting serious interest from the Premier League and beyond this campaign. Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal will supposedly all be in for the Spanish goal-scorer throughout what is likely to be a very interesting summer.

In light of such developments, how would Alvaro Morata take to a potential new life in the English top-flight, and which of the Premier League’s front runners would be best suited to housing the in-form Spaniard?

Since arriving in Italy for a fee in the region of £16million last summer, Morata has rarely been able to escape the spotlight in his attempts to develop as a player. He certainly arrives as a raw gem in need of a great deal more work, namely on his physicality and aggressiveness in and around the box, but Spain’s latest talent nevertheless has a great deal going for him at this current stage in his career.

[ad_pod id=’football-friends’ align=’center’]

The former Bernabeu man has quick feet that can often get him out of trouble, processes impressive movement and always gives his teammates the option should they need it, as well as being able to find the net in great style, and at a decent level of frequency. Whilst none of the aspects that make up Alvaro Morata’s game have been perfectly fine-tuned as of yet, perhaps under the guidance of one of the Premier League’s most high profile bosses, such development can truly start to take place.

With that in mind, Arsene Wenger would seem like the perfect man to get the Juve no. 9 firing in the English top-flight. The long-term Gunners boss is adept at working with just this type of player, and as someone of Alvaro Morata’s style and talent will be nothing new to the main man at the Emirates, the Spanish hitman would likely thrive at Arsenal.

However, as Wenger has been known to opt for one single centre-forward to lead the line for his team in the past, as well as for the fact that many of the Emirates faithful are expecting a more high-profile striker to arrive at the club in the near future, maybe Morata isn’t quite as suited to Arsenal as he may initially seem.

For that reason, perhaps one of the Premier League’s other big clubs would be better suited at housing the youngster. The current Juve star could certainly see his game come on leaps and bounds whilst playing alongside the likes of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria at Old Trafford, but as Manchester United are team who seemingly have too many ‘must have’ names in their starting XI right now, Morata might just be faced with even more bench time should he decide to join up with Louis van Gaal’s regime.

Liverpool could therefore be the perfect solution for the Spanish hot-shot should his time in Serie A come to a natural end. Playing among Rodgers’ skilful strikeforce would certainly be a beneficial experience for Morata, and as the Reds have needed someone to simply stick the ball in the back of the net throughout the course of this season, the former Real Madrid forward could be a great option. The Anfield faithful may be expecting someone of a more recognised level to lead the line for their team next season, but Morata’s youth, hunger, and so far promising record would certainly hold him in good stead should Brendan Rodgers decide to take the gamble.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Wherever Alvaro Morata’s future ultimately lies, expect the Spaniard’s name to continue to do the rounds within the footballing community, and continue to develop as a player for whatever team he chooses to represent.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’magicsponge’ align=’center’]

Personally, I can’t wait for the transfer window to close. The last 25 days has been the most frustrating period of time since, well, the takeover. Unfortunately, there are some recurring themes that have appeared throughout both.

When GFH took over they couldn’t have expected the amount of blame, and at times abuse, that would get thrown their way within the first few months of being here. Sure, they are the owners now and they have to accept responsibility for whatever goes on at the club, but to be slating them for an apparant lack of ambition one month into their tenure is ridiculous.

I understand how frustrating it is watching transfer windows come and go, how could I not, I’m just a fan like the rest of you, and throughout the last eight years that frustration has been completely justified every single time. Bates showed no ambition, he was here for the money, forever keeping his fingers crossed that Leeds’ lucky stars might all align one day and the club might pull off a complete fluke by getting promoted back to the Premier League. His lucky fluke never happened, his plan backfired. We’ve been told he left the club with a supposed £19 million debt, but what is the true cost of the Bates era?

Most of the fans are ruined. It absolutely kills me to say it, but they are. I dont mean in regards to wanting the best for Leeds, nor am I suggesting that as a fan of a club they are somehow inferior to others, but they’ve been burned too many times by Bates to trust anyone else. This, I dont blame them for, it has been absolute torture for us all.

Unfortunately, while I can defend their way of thinking, I cannot defend their assumption that GFH are the same.

Every single day I log on to Twitter or the messageboards and they are awash with ridiculous conspiracies that well and truly belong in the past. I’m going to use yesterdays news of Becchios transfer request as my example here.

As we all know, Luciano has handed in a transfer request, with the official site stating financial reasons as the reason for doing so. Bear in mind here, he’s been with us for five years now, he’s 29, has a family, and probably wants a new challenge after giving his all to the club.

Almost instantenously people errupted with all their collective anger aimed at GFH. Once again their financial stability came into question, their ambition got mocked and their integrity was being ripped apart shred by shred.

Not for the first time, people missed the bigger picture. If they’d looked closely enough they’d have noticed how the official site also mentioned that we’d tried to negotiate a new contract with a player that already ears more than anyone else at the club.

A lack of ambition? or a lack of desire to lead Leeds back into financial instability?

Football fans have short memories, but I cannot understand the anger over GFH not bowing down to Becchios demands, considering the whole reason we’re still trying to find our way out of the maze that is the Football League is because we once tried to live beyond our means.

I know it’s easy to assume that yesterdays statement was just the club reeling out the old ‘he wants too much money’ line because we’ve heard it so many times before, but that was under Bates. Just for one minute consider whether GFH might actually just be being open and honest with the fans about the situation, Becchio wants this much, we cant afford that much without leaving ourselves in a precarious position, and he’s requested a transfer.

I honestly dont think GFH realised quite the size of the task they took on when they bought our club, but I have no doubt in my mind that whatever decisions they make will be in the best interests of the club. I’ve said this a million times before but GFH do not pick the transfer targets, if a player is old or an ex Portsmouth reject it is not their fault. The same applies to players we try to sign on loan, if that player is only available on loan, and Neil Warnock wants that player, then GFH aren’t to blame for any lack of ambition.

As for Alan Tate’s comments about ‘the financial situation’ up here, I can’t help but feel like this is just a case of sour grapes. I for one am glad we are no longer wasting money on players that aren’t up to it anymore, meaning that we aren’t panic buying defenders like Tate just to fill the gaps.

Regardless, GFH must honestly feel like they cant win. On Wednesday the Yorkshire Evening post revealed that the club had made an enquiry with St. Etienne regarding Max Gradel. Phil Hay has since confirmed that this information didn’t come from the club and that he has had it confirmed by three different people. Despite this, some fans still think that the link is simply a smokescreen for a failed transfer window.

Once again, just forget everything from the last eight years, and imagine that the story could actually be true. If this was truly a PR stunt, why would GFH risk losing face over a player they know is held in the highest regard by the very fans they are trying to bring back to the club? These conspiracy theories all sound good at the time, but if you think logically about them for more than a minute you realize that they really dont make any sense.

In short, GFH have my every sympathy. The transfer window has 6 days left, and I’m still more than happy to give them what’s left of it to bring in the quality needed for a push on the top six. I know it’s frustrating and as I said earlier, I can’t blame anyone for having their doubts, but considering we’ve just gone through eight years of hell, let’s give GFH at least the next six days to prove that they really are the saviours they claimed to be.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

If by this time next week nothing has changed then questions will need to be answered, but until then it makes no sense at all to implode.

Bates’ era ended last year whether you believe the conspiracies or not, it’s time for us all to move on from the damage he caused. I’m confident that by this time next week the only reason we’ll be looking back is to see just how different things are.

Having faith has always been central to everything we stand for as a club, for just one more week, keep it.

Twitter – @giddy_goose

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

Everton fans are all saying the same thing about the links to PSV’s transfer guru Marcel Brands – that it should mean the end of Steve Walsh at Goodison.

Steve Walsh was a busy man last summer, but not a particularly successful one. Of the several big money moves Everton made in the transfer window, only Jordan Pickford can offer both immediate quality on the pitch and significant resale value.

Davy Klaassen has hardy played for the club, Sandro Ramirez is out on loan, Nikola Vlasic is struggling to get in the squad and Michael Keane has been far from impressive at the back. Gylfi Sigurdsson has shown his quality, but hasn’t really done enough to justify paying £40million for a 28 year-old.

[ad_pod ]

Links are intensifying between Everton and PSV’s sporting director Marcel Brands, and fans are hoping it means saying goodbye to Walsh, or at least moving him to a purely scouting role.

Brands is responsible for developing players like Mousa Dembele, Gini Wijnaldum, Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens in his time in the Netherlands, all of whom have moved on to top European clubs.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Everton fans have been discussing Walsh’s future on Twitter, and some of the best reactions can be found below…

After Andy Carroll’s eagerly anticipated return from injury last month, the West Ham striker has started all three of the Hammers’ league wins. The big man scored twice against Swansea City at Upton Park on Sunday, which helped the East Londoners move up to third in the Premier League table.

Despite Carroll’s absence from the West Ham first-team at the beginning of the season, Sam Allardyce’s side have enjoyed a superb start to their league campaign. The recent arrivals of Alex Song, Cheikhou Kouyate, Aaron Cresswell, Morgan Amalfitano, Enner Valencia and the goal-machine Diafra Sakho have all gelled together extremely quick, to give West Ham their best start to a league season for a number of years.

Some would have questioned how and where Carroll would have slotted back into the starting XI. But with 15 minutes remaining of the Irons’ 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa on November 8th – the ex-Newcastle ace played his first bit of football since the final day of last season. Since then, West Ham’s £15m man has started every game and they have a 100% record with him.

Carroll gives Allardyce another option up top. With the lively Sakho and Valencia – along with Carlton Cole, West Ham now have plenty of quality attacking choices – something they haven’t had for a good few seasons.

Carroll disappointingly missed out on Roy Hodgson’s 23-man World Cup squad in the summer, as the boss opted for the experienced Rickie Lambert instead. The decision would have no doubt hurt Carroll, who had performed so well in England’s Euro 2012 campaign. The 25-year-old has also missed out on the last few international squads due to injury.

Now that the imposing Geordie is back in Allardyce’s first-team he must be hoping his recent club performances haven’t gone unnoticed by Hodgson. Lambert has endured a tough start to his Liverpool career, although he has picked up his form recently in Mario Balotelli’s absence.

Carroll and Lambert both give the England boss a good problem to have. But the fact that Liverpool are doing so poorly and with West Ham flying high in third, it could put Carroll in the driving seat. England’s next competitive match is a European Championship qualifier against Lithuania – which takes place in late March next year.

Carroll – who has accumulated transfer fees of £50m – has represented his country nine times and scored two goals, including England’s opening goal in the 3-2 Euro 2012 Group D win over Sweden. His last appearance came in the Three Lions’ 5-0 World Cup Qualifying win over San Marino over two years ago.

Carroll has a presence up front that would benefit any team, although inconsistency has sometimes troubled the striker. After his £35m move to Anfield from Newcastle nearly four years ago, the pressure on him to succeed was enormous. But it wasn’t Carroll’s fault that Kenny Dalglish splashed out that sort of money on the then 22-year-old. Carroll really struggled on Merseyside, but since his loan spell to West Ham was made permanent, he really seems to have found his home at Upton Park.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Sam Allardyce’s West Ham travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday – to face a Sunderland team desperate for the points – and Carroll should be expecting to start, especially after his two-goal performance last time out. If Carroll can stay fit, and if the Irons can keep on picking up positive results, he will fancy his chances of being included in Hodgson’s next England squad announcement.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Lionel Messi is overrated and Lionel Messi is boring. Barcelona are no longer the grandmasters of the game, rather becoming a washed up group who relive their past glories because they can’t work on any new material. If that’s your line of thinking then you’re probably watching the wrong sport. It is and should be impossible to grow tired of Lionel Messi.

It should also be impossible to ignore what he’s done in the game. At 25, the Argentine has won more Champions League trophies and Ballon d’Or awards than many clubs have league titles. And that’s not even getting into the myriad of trophies the player has won with Barcelona in domestic competition.

Messi is the best that ever played the game, and it shouldn’t require near-meaningless additions to legitimise that claim. The player needs a World Cup, well not really. The Champions League has become the pinnacle of the game, even if people say otherwise. It’s the club vs. country row, with club taking the cake every time. The player needs to do it in England. Why? So we can bastardise a gift to the game by setting him up in a head-on collision with any number of players from a town up north? No. Lionel Messi has helped one of the world’s best teams become the greatest team we will ever see. Barcelona under Pep Guardiola surpasses Ajax, AC Milan, Real Madrid.

Let’s put it into perspective and break it down. Barcelona would put five, six, seven, eight goals past teams every week. It didn’t matter if they were relegation fodder or former Uefa Cup or European champions. It didn’t matter to Barcelona and Messi when Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid came to town for the first time: they put five past them too.

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/why-the-premier-league-needs-to-be-on-transfer-alert-over-barca-ace,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/liverpool-target-to-sign-new-deal-at-barcelona,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/the-man-that-liverpool-are-crying-out-for-in-january” target=”_blank” type=”tower”]

Would he do it England? Could Messi do it in England? Why not? Why would people actively search for reasons to discredit the undisputed greatest of the modern game? Zinedine Zidane didn’t have to prove his worth in England, nor did Ronaldo or Paolo Maldini or Michel Platini.

Messi is a genius who has done the unthinkable. While the Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga’s finest are hitting 30 goals a season, Messi is putting away 90 in a calendar year. Unfair comparison? Ok, the number was 50 for La Liga goals alone last year, taking away what he did in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. Those figures are eye-watering, they’re a hammer blow to the defined and apparently unbreakable parameters that footballers work in. We’re impressed by 30 goals in a season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 42 goals to go with his Champions League medal were plastered all over the papers. Messi’s numbers are symbolic of an unnatural talent that deserves so much more.

It’s not just about being acknowledged and awarded with the highest personal accolade in world football, it’s about taking rightful credit right across the board. It’s always easy to be dismissive of what’s readily available and what you assume will be around forever, a product that can be found by simply flicking between channels and as easily discarded and discredited when something a little ‘easier’ to digest is available.

Who thought up the idea of this bandwagon? Are there fans who really think it’s cool to dismiss Messi? It’s a bit different, it’s a bit dangerous, a bit Rock n Roll. No, it’s as stupid as saying The Beatles were worthless, that Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson weren’t some of the greatest voices recorded. It’s unforgivable to label Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky or Babe Ruth as anything other than the greatest to ever play their sports.

People should be privileged to be living in a day when the greatest footballer that ever lived hasn’t even reached his peak yet. What would many football fans give to watch George Best again? Pele, Maradona, Cruyff? You’ve got one better, and the most special thing about it is that Messi is yours, not a player from another generation who you try to latch on to. They’ll never belong to you and you can’t identify with it.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

As football fans, we should be watching Messi not as a footballer, but rather an icon, a gift and a defining figure. There may not ever be anyone like him. He could do it all again next year, topping his current figure of 90 goals and reaching 100. He could finish his career with a haul of Champions League trophies that forces disbelief and a shake of the head. You’re supposed to smile, be awestruck and want to see him do more.

Lionel Messi may not be everyone’s cup of tea, The Beatles may be the last band you look to when shuffling through your collection. But you’ve got to admire, respect and acknowledge that they’re the greatest.

Declan Rice has seemingly inadvertently suggested that David Moyes will remain as West Ham United manager for next season.The Scotsman was appointed by the East London outfit in November on a six-month contract, and the board are expected to review the situation once the season comes to an end.There is a tense atmosphere surrounding the London Stadium at the moment following the unsavoury scenes that marred the club’s recent Premier League match.During a 3-0 defeat to Burnley on home soil, a handful of pitch invasions occurred, with one man being grappled to the floor by club captain Mark Noble.[ad_pod ]Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan were the targets for abuse, and in response to the dramatic events, West Ham have vowed to take serious action against those involved.Plenty of fans remain discontent over the current situation, with many accusing the club’s implementation of heightened security as a way to prioritise protection for the board rather than the supporters.The playing squad spent last week in Miami at a warm-weather training camp, trying to focus on turning around the team’s fortunes on the pitch.As it stands, West Ham are just two points above the relegation zone following three straight defeats.There is uncertainty over the club’s league status, but there is also uncertainty over whether Moyes will be at the helm this season.While speaking to the Hammers’ media team, Rice seemed to suggest that the Scotsman will remain by claiming that the players have had a taste of what pre-season will be like under the manager’s rule.

Brazilian Anderson has only featured in two games for Manchester United in all competitions this season, 20 minutes in the 0-0 against Burnley in the league, and the 4-0 loss against MK Dons in the League Cup. The limited amount of appearances he has made and the fact he was given permission to leave Old Trafford last summer by manager Louis van Gaal, his contract is unlikely to be extended next summer when it expires.

If the Red Devils want a return on some of the £20m they paid for his services from Porto in 2007, they would have to sell him in January, otherwise they will lose him on a free in the summer.

If he does leave the club in the next transfer window or if he let to leave on a free next summer, here are FIVE clubs he could move to.

[ffc-gallery]

CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE FIVE

[/ffc-gallery]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Porto

A move back to Porto would be an option for Anderson. Whilst they don’t have the calibre and reputation of Manchester United, they still have the aspirations of achieving well in European football. Casemiro is only on loan from Real Madrid at the Portuguese side and is playing well. If they are unable to bring the player in on a permanent transfer, Anderson could be an option.

Gremio

Rumours have been making their rounds that Anderson could return to one of his previous clubs Gremio. The Brazilian would love to return back to his home country, but the problem is the club might not be able to afford his expensive wages. Anderson said the following when he was linked with the club: “There’s always the possibility of returning to Gremio,” he told Radio Bandeirantes.

“It’s my home and I still support them – everyone knows that. It would allow me to be near my family.”

Internacional

Another Brazilian club interested in Anderson is Internacional. A move to any Brazilian club would bring Anderson closer to his family, but he wouldn’t be offered the high wages amount given to him by European clubs. The 26 year old said on Inter’s interest: “They called me. Inter has interest on me. I want to go back home, and any club in Brazil to be close to home.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Dortmund

An overhaul of players could soon be leaving the German side due to their poor performance this season. If they don’t finish in a European spot, the likes of Marcos Reus will probably leave the club, leaving a gap in midfield. Anderson could be an option to fill this void. He could also join before the end of the season to help Die Borussen push towards a top six finish.

QPR

A move to QPR would keep Anderson in England but also meet his wage demands as well. Whilst a move to the London side might be unappealing because of the prospect they could be playing Championship football next season, he would receive playing time in one of the top leagues in the world. The R’s midfield could do with a player like Anderson as well to provide opportunities for their strikers to score more goals and win games.

At the top, the Premier League is an intensified, unrelenting beast, eager to suck out as much joy as it gives to the beautiful game. Cries for a winter break continue to fall on deaf ears, as the Christmas fixture pile-up takes its inevitable toll on first-team regulars.

However, there are those who can enjoy the festivities in the same manner as the fans in attendance. This is not because their manager has gifted them special compensation, but rather they are unlikely to be called upon during this hour of need.

Some players have been confined to the reserves rather unjustly while others simply do not have talent to ever risk penetrating the starting line-up. Either way, the Premier League always carries a fair few passengers with each new campaign.

Click on Louis Saha to reveal the players sitting on the coattails of their colleagues this season

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made three changes to the side that were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday for the trip to face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, and Gunners fans have been quick to have their say on the selection.

Calum Chambers, Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi come in for Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck, with Bellerin and Welbeck on the substitutes’ bench and Ramsey not even making the squad on the south coast.

Wenger’s men are in desperate need of the three points in order to keep alive their extremly slim chances of securing a top-four finish, with wins for Liverpool and arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday leaving them 13 points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots with just 10 matches of the season remaining.

Arsenal supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the Frenchman’s selection, and while one said “LOL BELLERIN HAS FINALLY BEEN DROPPED”, another said “pathetic management once again”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

[ad_pod ]

How close were Arsenal to landing Sami Khedira from Real Madrid this summer and finally laying to rest the topic of the defensive midfield role? Not very, according to Arsene Wenger. Contact and even interest from the Gunners was apparently pure fabrication.

So it’s back to the drawing board, and if we’re to believe that Wenger is interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Adrien Rabiot – the Ligue 1 side are willing to let him leave due to his expiring contract – Arsenal may yet go another window without buying an established specialist at holding midfield.

Should there be worry? Well yes, but only if you subscribe to the rigid theory that all defences need to be protected by an axe-wielding behemoth standing seven feet tall. Obviously I don’t. If Arsenal are to secure the signing of Rabiot, who has been on the radar for many months, it will act as a means to make up the numbers. The French midfielder could eventually be moulded into the team’s first-choice defensive midfielder, but his signing would indicate that Wenger has found his solution in house.

There is sure to be frustration among the Arsenal support. Wenger has the financial means so why not flex that muscle in the transfer market? The question, though, is where does he take aim?

Khedira’s wage demands make him an undesirable option; Lars Bender won’t be released by Bayer Leverkusen; and Javi Martinez, even if Bayern Munich were willing to negotiate, is now injured until sometime after the winter break. Beyond them there are no obvious candidates. Morgan Schneiderlin? Alex Song? William Carvalho? It doesn’t need much explanation as to why Wenger would be put off by those deals.

So if the players aren’t there, why spend just for the sake of spending? I have absolutely no doubt that Arsenal need another option in midfield. Rabiot would be a good addition who won’t carry too much pressure to perform immediately; he’s 19 and would quite clearly be marked as one for the future.

So what are the options?

It may very well be that Wenger has identified Jack Wilshere to take up that role. Now obviously that won’t strike confidence in most, but the Arsenal manager must like what he’s seen from Wilshere in pre-season training to be convinced that he’s an option. If not, Aaron Ramsey; and it shouldn’t be written off that both Ramsey and Wilshere could partner one another in the centre of midfield. Mikel Arteta may hold the captain’s armband, but he doesn’t have the legs to be a mainstay in the team for the entire season.

But the chapter isn’t closed on bringing in an established player. Sami Khedira’s agents are still reportedly trying to conclude a deal that would see the German international leave Real Madrid – and the Spanish side are very much keen to see him off this summer rather than for free in a year. If that is to be the case, Rabiot’s prospective signing could simply amount to Wenger gambling on a low-risk but high-reward talent.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Above all, Arsenal need numbers. The style of play employed by Wenger doesn’t necessarily force the need for a destroyer in the midfield, just players intelligent enough to break up opposition play. Silverware can be attained without clubs acquiring a stereotypical defensive midfielder.

If Rabiot signs and blossoms into a good player, then Wenger will have completed another good piece of business. But the Arsenal manager isn’t known for loading the decks. If Rabiot arrives, he more than likely will be the only central midfield addition. Such a scenario would suggest the manager has his ‘defensive midfield’ option already at the club.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]