Arshavin - Chelsea Linked (+ Video)
ARSHAVIN
By dixon9
June 24 2008
Since the UEFA Cup Final and the beginning of Euro 2008 the player on most people’s lips is that of Andrei Arshavin. The Russian has put in some inspired performances - in particular against Holland, and titters of laughter due to his unfortunate surname have turned into serious cries of “We should sign him!” from fans of some of the top clubs around Europe.
Arshavin is what you might call a “midfield playmaker” much in the mould of a nippier Liam Brady or Alan Hudson - very precise passing and seeing that through ball that others can’t – or to compare him to a modern day player (if you’re younger!) he reminds me very much of Modric.
At 27 years old he is obviously a late bloomer – or an undiscovered gem (in fact I’ll be honest and say before the UEFA Cup Final, I’d never heard of him).
The Russian has already advertised the fact that he’s up for grabs:
"I would like to change club. It's not a big difference between England and Spain. It's another level for me."
Zenit coach Dick Advocaat isn’t going to stand in his way either:
"I can understand that he wants to play in Europe. I think he has some clubs in his mind, some in England and others in Spain, because they are the only two countries he would like to play in.”
"If you lose one of your main players you don't like it as a coach but you have to be realistic."
"I have worked with him for two years and he is a very talented player. "He's just turned 27, he's very quick, he has an excellent shot on both legs and besides scoring he can also provide for other players."
The Spanish media claim that his childhood dream was to play for Barcelona whilst our BBC has linked Arshavin with Arsenal and Chelsea.
"I see English games on TV - it's the best league in the world," Arshavin said.
The rumours after the Russia’s first two matches were that Wenger was earmarking him whilst one match later it was suggested that Abramovich was interested (presumably because he is Russian) although there has been no feedback from Scolari on Arshavin - or for that matter (with the exception of Deco), any other player since the Brazilian’s appointment at Stamford Bridge.
I could see why Wenger would like him at Arsenal; with the possible departure of Hleb, Arshavin would be a shoe-in.
Chelsea; Lampard, Ballack, Deco? Arshavin? If Lampard stays (and we should know this week) and Deco therefore goes to Inter (unless Scolari has some cunning plan to use all three) I can’t see any room for Arshavin - although the prospect of the choice of two out of a trio of Ballack, Lampard and Arshavin is mouth-watering - plus we would have a good few more years out of the Russian than his English and German midfield colleagues.
But what about Liverpool or the Mancs? Well if Benitez decides not to give in to O’Neil’s demands for Barry then the funds from the sale of Alonso (I’m at a loss as to why he wants to sell Alonso to buy Barry but hey ho!) could be used for the purchase of Arshavin.
The Mancs? Well they’d have plenty of money available IF they sell Ronaldo – but then again they have the likes of Nani and Anderson.
I’m not to sure about his attitude. He has his own line of trendy clothes and the tongue out gesture after scoring against the Dutch struck me as a bit strange.
According to Advocaat, Arshavin needs to be given a free reign to get the best out of him:
"It is difficult to say which league would suit him best. We play more or less 4-3-3 and our wide players have a lot of freedom.”
"I'm not sure other coaches will give him the freedom but you have to otherwise it's difficult to use him. He needs the freedom to do what he thinks is best for the team.”
Which manager would be prepared to do that?
VIDEO COMPILATION
(I don´t think we´ll sign him though - I put the story up more as a discussion point).
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin has set his heart on a move to Barcelona this summer after the end of Euro 2008.
Arshavin, who has been one of the stars of the tournament in Russia's run to the semi-finals, has also been linked with a move to the Premier League.
But the 27-year-old Zenit St Petersburg midfielder says playing for the club he supported as boy would be his "dream"
"Barcelona are my dream, I never thought I would have a genuine chance to play for the club," said Arshavin.
He added: "I have supported Barcelona all my life, let's see how the situation unfolds. For now I can't say anything for sure."
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Dunno if Arshavin even played tonight
Spurs have done very very well in signing him.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Good signing by Spurs, indeed.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.