Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United’s pursuit of Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Moura wets the appetite ahead of the new season. It is the kind of “worldie” signing that United need and it’s about time we see a Brazilian prosper in the Premier League.
The little man Juninho lifted hearts on Teeside during two separate stints at Middlesbrough but he was never a world beater. Gilberto Silva enjoyed a sucessful period at Arsenal but he was more accustomed to the role of enforcer as opposed to a match winner. That’s not forgetting (although most probably have) Kleberson who lit up the latter stages of the 2002 World Cup with the eventual winners Brazil but then flooped at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex’s attempts to sign the a certain Ronaldinho back in 2003 were scuppered by a last minute reluctance on United Chief Exeuctive Peter Kenyon’s behalf to match Paris St. Germain’s asking price. The deal was effectively done but for the last minute snag. United missed out, Ronaldinho went to Barcelona and the rest as they say is history. While current United United Chief Executive David Gill won’t be guided by this, let’s hope that he keeps it mind and secures this deal.
Arsenal Captain Robin Van Persie has remained in London this week while the rest of his Arsenal team mates jetted off to the Far East for their pre-season tour. The Dutchman’s imminent departure is a major disappointment for Gunner’s supporters as yet another Arsenal captain departs The Emirates.
Captain Patrick Vieira departed for Juventus back in 2005, Thierry Henry left for Barcelona in 2007, just last season Cesc Fabregas returned home to Catalunya and now Van Persie is set to join that list with either Manchester United, Machester City or Juventus the likely destination.
It begs the question, how do this Arsenal side expect to progress if big players and big leaders continue to leave? Thomas Vermaelen looks set to fill the captaincy void left by Van Persie but what happens if potential suitors make their move for the Belgian next year with the offer of better wages and a greater opportunity of winning trophies?
While Arsenal’s determination to maintain their football finance philosophy is admirable, it is naive in it’s idealism and fails to recognise the shift within football.
Take Wayne Rooney’s contract stand off with Manchester United in the back end of 2010. Rooney threatened to leave citing United’s lack of ambition as his reason. Eventually Rooney had a change of heart and decided to stay not before becoming the highest paid player in United’s history and the top earner in the Premier League.
The point here is that top players need to be paid top dollar, it ain’t pretty but is it the reality we are faced with. Arsenal will continually lag behind and continue to serve as a feeder club until they recognise this.
One issue does rankle with me over the whole Van Persie issue, that being his statement questioning the ambition and direction of Arsenal. It was unnecessary and disrespectful to Arsene Wenger who has offered the Dutchman more support than others.
It makes you wonder what gives any player the right to do that? Why didn’t Wenger or Arsenal submit their own statement questioning Van Persie’s fitness during his many injuries over the years? Of course this would never happen but it just goes to show the high level of player power we have reached and the subsequently low level of player loyalty.
danoneill1986 