Tag Futebol

A disappointing season by Manchester City’s standards has seen them fall along way short of regaining their Premier League crown as Chelsea stole the show by becoming worthy champions and despite their defeat on Monday night still hold an unassailable eight point advantage.

City are expected to ring the changes over the summer and there looks certain to be plenty of transfer activity over the next few months as Manuel Pellegrini reshuffles his side into one that can challenge for the league once again as well as put up a better showing in Europe.

And while there have been a number of stars linked with a move to the Etihad during the transfer window, some of City’s key players could be on their way out of the club if reports are to be believed.

One of these players is England international James Milner, who looks set to leave the Blues after five years in Manchester.

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool as his contract at City draws to a close and despite the clubs best efforts to keep hold of the midfielder he may well be leaving on a free transfer in the next few weeks.

City are thought to have offered Milner one last improved contract in a bid to ensure he remains at the Etihad, and although he has previously dismissed such offers, he really should consider staying put as he would be foolish to move elsewhere.

In the past Milner has felt undervalued at the club, and rightly left frustrated by a lack of first-team football. Having only started 12 games last season he had every right to consider a move given his quality which was being wasted as he sat on the bench.

[ffc-gal cat=”premier-league” no=”5″]

But City’s latest victory at Swansea saw Milner score a fine goal in his 44th appearance of the season, and 31st in the league from a possible 37 league fixtures.

Pellegrini has continued to speak of Milner’s importance to the club, and the fact he has started 27 games this term which is more than double of last season’s total, goes to show just how important he vital he has become.

And it’s not just the smaller teams he has featured against, having started in both games with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona highlighting how is also trusted in the big games.

He may feel he wants to be starting every game possible which a move to Arsenal or Liverpool may cater for, but in reality it would be step down from where he is now.

City are the second best team in the Premier League and a move away would arguably dent his chances of picking up more trophies during his career.

He’s guaranteed Champions League football, something which Liverpool can’t offer him, and with a few new additions they are sure to be challenging at the top of the table once again. The same certainly can’t be said about Liverpool, and for Arsenal, well there’s a chance but it’s not a guarantee.

And then he has the contract itself to consider. At this point in his career a four year deal of £165,000 a week is certainly nothing to be sniffed at and realistically it’s one he should be signing.

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 he puts pen to paper, the deal would make him one of the top earners at the club with an estimated £34m. Surely that type of money shows how much they value him and want to keep him.

It’s clear the Citizens are desperate to sign him up to a new contract, particularly as he is an English player, and although at first he had a right to dismiss their offer; having played a big part this season and with the contract being offered to him, it shows he is a wanted man.

To leave a club that presents him with the best chance of silverware would be a bad move, and the fact he is being offered £165k a week shows he’s not going to be a bit part player. Would they be offering that type of money if he wasn’t part of their first-team plans? Certainly not!

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

[n5lbanner type=”generic”]

Amid denial and conflicting reports, Wayne Rooney is likely to be the second big name leaving Old Trafford this summer, with clubs both in England and abroad looking to offer him a fresh start in his career. You can’t help but feel that a move would benefit both club and player, with Rooney failing to live up to the expectation of him and Manchester United looking to alter the look of their frontline this summer.

The part of this story that is most intriguing is whether Rooney, one of the biggest English names, is suited for a move abroad – and I’m not just talking about talent or playing style. Players like David Beckham have been the exception to the rule, that being that English players rarely break out of their comfort zone. The Premier League may be billed as the best, but for English players it’s what they know and are accustomed to.

For United, this summer may be the best opportunity to start again. Here is a player who has sent in a second transfer request since being at the club, and this time there isn’t such a need for Rooney to remain at Old Trafford. The player’s performances have been down, he’s scored only 12 league goals – a number which is not befitting of his reputation in football – and, most importantly, United have found ways of winning and surviving without him in the team.

It’s also a matter of what Rooney represents and that he is often the first name most would think of when thoughts of United come to mind. His adaptability at various positions in the team also make him a great asset to have, but just because he does well in the centre of midfield doesn’t mean that is the best option for the long term.

One of the problems going into this summer is that United will do all they can to avoid selling domestically. You really have to applaud that level of thinking and strength in holding that position. Despite being off their books, Rooney would still prove to be an issue, either directly or indirectly, if he remained in the Premier League. But do PSG, one of the frontrunners abroad, tick all the boxes?

Interestingly, it might make the most sense. Both PSG and Rooney could be argued to be on similar paths at this stage. The player is trying to regain (or attain) a higher standing in the game, while PSG will be keen to build their own reputation across Europe after their Ligue 1 triumph. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely to depart this summer, there is an opening for a big-name striker to take over.

And let’s not assume that Rooney would be off in some obscure corner of European football and lacking any kind of competition. For all their wealth, PSG will still face competition from the other big names in French football. Monaco will re-join Ligue 1 and will do everything their wealth allows to put together a strong title challenge. And it also shouldn’t be forgotten that PSG did well in this season’s Champions League; with players like Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi, they’re sure to make an impression next season again.

From a footballing standpoint, PSG does look to be one of the better destinations, and one who United would certainly do business with. The question remains as to how Rooney himself would adapt to life in France. As mentioned, there isn’t really much to go by in terms of other big English stars moving abroad. Beckham did all he could to embrace Spanish culture, but you certainly feel that Rooney and his personality would be a little different in France.

And then there are the options in England, with Chelsea and Arsenal rumoured to be possible destinations. Either of these teams would seem ridiculous for what it would mean in the Premier League, and for all the shouting they may do, it appears beyond reality for what may actually happen this summer.

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.

Manchester United are not Arsenal, they won’t sell to a rival if they don’t want to. Moreover, why strengthen Chelsea in such a way when the focus will be to put themselves and David Moyes in a position of absolute strength in England?

Bayern Munich have been touted too, as well as Real Madrid and Barcelona. But for everything that can be made sense of at this time, France would appear to be Rooney’s best destination should he depart United this summer. If Rooney could lead PSG to title glory he would more than elevate his status in European football. It would be a signal that amid all the frustration and disappointing performances, a very good player just needed a fresh start, a new challenge and unwavering confidence as a club’s most important asset.

[cat_link cat=”manchester-united” type=”grid”]

There is no question that Antonio Valencia has been a wonderful servant for Manchester United.

The Ecuador international hardly set Old Trafford alight with his performances as a winger, but he has developed into a very strong right-back for the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, in the absence of Michael Carrick, Valencia has worn the captain’s armband for the 20-time English champions during the 2017-18 campaign.

The 32-year-old certainly deserves credit for some outstanding performances this season, but it appears that a number of United fans are looking for an upgrade at right-back this summer.

[ad_pod ]

A selection took to social media to urge their club to sign a new right-back at the end of the season, although that is not a view shared by all United fans.

Indeed, one individual branded Valencia, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, ‘the best defender in the world’.

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.

It is certainly an interesting debate, and we will see over the next few months whether head coach Jose Mourinho brings a new right-sided full-back to Old Trafford.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the United fans, who have again called for the summer arrival of Antoine Griezmann, can be seen below:

Louis van Gaal is a tactician. He’s feted worldwide as a student of football, one of the most sophisticated coaches on the planet.

In the mid-90s, he nurtured a group of young Ajax academy graduates, coaching them to become some of the best known names in world football and helping them to a Champions League title in the process. Two finals in two years to be exact. The team included Edwin van der Sar, the De Boer brothers, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert.

It was a hell of a team, and they played some amazing football. In fact, in November of 1995 they played what van Gaal insists is the only ‘perfect game’ that any of his teams has ever played.

By this he means played to his tactics, right down to the letter. Not letting it slip once, getting the passing right, getting the off-the-ball movement right, getting the positioning right. Van Gaal’s teams play sophisticated football – every player has a job, and every movement is choreographed. Or at least, that’s what van Gaal would like it to be, he’d love to move the players around himself. You get the feeling he’s very, very good at FIFA.

And his United team have been getting better at doing his bidding this season. They’ve slowly progressed into what everyone agrees is something representing good form. They were contesting the leaders at Christmas but their challenge has waned. Yet their performances have got better. The team has got more used to the possession game, and with Michael Carrick in front of the defence – or slotting into the defence when United are attacking – the United back line looks much stronger than it did at the start of the season.

United have become more and more of a van Gaal team, as you’d expect. LvG would never compromise on his principles, and you’d always expect his teams to conform to his ideas. But over the last few games, United’s tactics have been nullified by good defending and good shape from both Chelsea and Everton. And the manager has to take some of the blame for that.

His tactics aren’t wrong, per se. He’s got a squad with the likes of Carrick, Rooney, Herrera and Mata, all players who know how to pass the ball very well. He’s got pace in Valencia and Young, and these are also two more traditional wingers who are good at crossing the ball. And he’s got the aerial threat and physical prowess of Marouane Fellaini.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video-small’ align=’left’]

So why shouldn’t he use all of these elements?

United can pass the ball around and work it to Fellaini’s feet for him to hold it up and bring others into play. Or they can work it wide to the likes of Young and Valencia and get crosses in towards the big Belgian’s head.

They’ve done it to great effect for most of the second half of the season, and have even been accused of being a long ball team at times this season.

I don’t think anything could be further from the truth – United don’t just lump it to Fellaini, they try to work it into an area where a high ball has a better chance of finding his head in a good position. But I can see why people might think they’re a bit of a hit and rush side.

It’s got less to do with the actual high balls and more to do with the rigidity of the game plan.

United are painfully rigid at times. Yes they try to pass it around and keep possession, but it always feels like they’re just trying to work it wide so they can get a cross into Fellaini’s head. The have lots of possession, lots of outlets for passes in the midfield, but only one line of penetration.

And it’s not like Fellaini isn’t good with the ball at his feet, either.

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.

And you’d think that for a manager like van Gaal, the well-worked long passes to the big man would be a plan B. Something to pull out of the bag when silky football isn’t working. It’s nice to have that club in the bag, but it’s not the club you start with – more of a rescue club than a fairway wood, if you like.

But for United at the moment, it’s plan A. It worked very well against City and against Liverpool, but Everton and Chelsea were able to sit deep, man mark and easily nullify the threat. Kurt Zouma had Fellaini in his pocket all game.

And like any game plan, it’s fine to use it so long as you can change it in games where it just doesn’t work. But United can’t – when you use plan B as your plan A, it’s difficult to change things when it doesn’t work. It’s difficult to go from playing it long to passing it around in the 80th minute when you have very little time left. It’s much easier to just start to hoof the ball in the final few minutes when you desperately need a goal. Normal human psychology doesn’t really lend itself to trying to play slow, silky, thoughtful football when you’re chasing a game. Adrenaline is running too high, heart rate is high too, and there’s too much of a temptation to panic.

United won’t win the league this season, and they’ll more than likely qualify for the Champions League. Van Gaal has achieved what he set out to achieve this season, and he has brought United back to where they belong – the top table of European football. But they could maybe have had much more if only Van Gaal had stuck to his guns and played along the ground more often, using Fellaini’s height as a backup rather than a starting tactic. But i’m sure we’ll see more of this next season – van Gaal’s too classy a coach for this to last too long.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

In what is being billed as a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final Manchester City and Wigan meet in the Premier League just a matter of days after booking their tickets to Wembley in May. For City the competitions showpiece is something to relish for their supporters in a season of underachievement at the Etihad Stadium. Roberto Mancini’s men go into the game 15 points behind leaders and arch rivals Manchester United after watching their title defence alarmingly disintegrate over the course of an erratic campaign. But there is a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel with victories over United and Chelsea in their last two games putting City in pole position for second spot with Arsenal

The stakes for Wigan are much higher as they continue their bid to secure top-flight safety. The Latics will be riding the crest of a wave after progressing to their first ever FA Cup final with victory over Millwall last Saturday and have the luxury of games in hand on the teams around them. Despite dropping back into the bottom three Robert Martinez’s men have been in good form of late, winning three of their last five in the league, and make the short trip to Manchester in high spirits regardless of the opposition that awaits them. The three teams above them, Aston Villa, Stoke and Sunderland, are all locked on 34 points and a draw would undoubtedly keep the heat on them.

Team News 

Jack Rodwell (hamstring) is back in contention for Manchester City, as is Maicon, but Roberto Mancini is unlikely to risk David Silva. Micah Richards could play some part after six-months out.

Wigan have no fresh injury concerns after Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final triumph meaning manager Roberto Martinez has a fully fit squad to choose from.

What the managers said… 

“We’ve got such an important game now that we’re not allowed to celebrate too much. We have the final in front of us and we will enjoy that occasion, but now we’ve got to go into that mode again and think about the league. I think we have shown a natural way of switching from the Cup to the league and that’s what we must do again.” Roberto Martinez insists Wigan are focused on Premier League survival (Mirror Football)

“United deserve to win this title but we deserve to fight until the last two or three games. Our target at the start of the season was the Premier League and FA Cup. We knew the Champions League would be difficult because we had a difficult group. We had a chance to win another Premier League if we worked well last summer. But we didn’t. We made some mistakes. We are frustrated about that but we know we are a good team. Roberto Mancini says he Man City won’t just hand the Premier League title over to rivals United (Daily Mail)

Pre-match Statistic: Manchester City strikers Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero have two of the last three home against Wigan at the Etihad Stadium. 

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.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Make your bets ahead of the showdown at the Etihad Stadium by clicking on the banner below

[ad_pod id=’hititbet’ align=’center’]

Everton fans can’t believe Sam Allardyce’s latest comments, after the Blues’ boss said Saturday’s Swansea draw was a good result.Everton’s poor start to 2018 continued on Saturday as they dropped two points at the Liberty Stadium in a 1-1 draw.The Toffees have enjoyed wins against Brighton and Stoke recently, but a heavy defeat to Manchester City followed by drab draws against Liverpool and now Swansea have left fans on edge.After a shaky start at the Liberty Stadium, the Toffees took the lead on the stroke of half time courtesy of a Kyle Naughton own goal.Swansea deservedly levelled in the second half though, as Jordan Ayew found his seventh goal of the season with a composed finish.[ad_pod ]Big Sam seemed in high spirits despite the performance and result, pointing to Swansea’s good home form as reason for optimism.“It’s a big, battling point today for us,†Allardyce said.“I’m pleased with the point. I said to the players we know we could have played better, particularly in possession.“It’s a big point against a Swansea team who are very good at this moment in time at home on their own patch.â€Swansea have indeed won four and drawn one of their last five home matches, but nonetheless fans are furious with the manager’s comments.Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

According to the tabloids, Manchester United are set for quite the striker switcheroo this summer.

The ageing Robin van Persie will be sold to either Inter Milan or Juventus, according to The Daily Mail, and PSG front-man Edinson Cavani has been lined up as his replacement in the Old Trafford front-line, according to The Express.

The news follows reports of an apparent bust-up with manager Laurent Blanc after the Uruguay international was subbed off after an hour against Marseille two weekends ago.

But with the French champions allegedly intent on recouping their full £55million investment in the former Napoli star, made in summer 2013, it’s hardly a deal that strikes good value for money from United’s perspective.

With that in mind and being the ever-helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed FIVE cheaper alternatives to the PSG star.

Would the Red Devils be better off with one of these FIVE leading their line next season?

[interaction ]

GONZALO HIGUAIN

Not a striker particularly similar in style to Edinson Cavani but certainly one capable of providing a similar amount of goals, Gonzalo Higuain ended his Real Madrid career with 122 goals in 264 appearances, boasts a return of 23 in 46 for the Argentina national team and has netted 46 times over the last two campaigns for Napoli.

He’s a more diminutive forward than Cavani, measuring in at just 6 foot, but offers an abundance of creativity, having claimed 13 assists in his 61 Serie A appearances whilst averaging just over one created chance per match.

And Higuain looks almost certain to move on this summer, according to The Metro, unless Napoli can close a seven point gap on Roma with just eight games to go to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

However, The Metro also claim Arsenal are already in talks to sign the former River Plate man this summer – so United will have to act quickly.

DANNY INGS

Signing home-grown talent will be high on the agenda of every major Premier League club this summer, following news FA Chairman Greg Dyke wishes to expand the HG quota from eight to twelve players per squad from the 2016/17 campaign onwards, and few strike better value for money than Burnley forward Danny Ings.

The 22-year-old’s influence has petered out somewhat in recent weeks but nine goals and four assists in 29 Premier League appearances is by no means a poor return for an inaugural Premier League campaign – building upon the 21-goal haul that fired Burnley to the top flight last season.

In addition to the England U21’s goals, it’s his intelligence, movement and creativity that stand out, suggesting he’s got the ingredients to ply his trade at a much higher level.

Admittedly, Turf Moor to Old Trafford is a rather seismic step. But available for a nominal compensation fee this summer upon the expiration of his Burnley contract, the former Bournemouth youngster seems well worth the punt.

PAULO DYBALA

Another budding youngster on the verge of blossoming into a top striking talent, Paulo Dybala’s 13 goals and nine assists for Palermo this season have seen him emerge as one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, with regular links to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus.

Due to his exceptional dribbling ability, deft finishing and tenacity, the 21-year-old has drawn comparisons with three South American strikers; Man City’s Sergio Aguero, Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

High praise indeed, but it’s difficult not to overhype a 21 year-old ripping apart Serie A defences on a weekly basis.

The good news for the Red Devils is that Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed Dybala will likely be sold this summer – as reported by ESPN. The bad news, however, is Zamparini’s valuation of €40million, accompanied by the claim PSG, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea all want to sign the prodigious front-man.

KARIM BENZEMA

Gary Neville believes Manchester United must insist upon a Real Madrid player this summer if they’re forced to surrender star goalkeeper David De Gea to the European Champions – at which point, I turn your attentions to Karim Benzema.

The France international often finds himself overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo and that’s reflected in his goal tally, having claimed a somewhat unspectacular 133 goals in 278 appearances since moving to the Bernabeu in 2009.

But the 27-year-old’s blend of height, power and technique, measuring in at 6 foot 2, would make him a natural fit for the Premier League and particularly United’s direct style of play under Louis van Gaal. Of all the strikers on this list, he’s probably the most comparable to Edinson Cavani.

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.

Whether Los Blancos would be prepared to part with Benzema remains to be seen. He’s proved a perfect counterweight to Ronaldo in recent seasons and speculation suggests they’re intent on strengthening – not weakening – their forward cast this summer.

But a top-class talent still with a point to prove, an Old Trafford switch could be of interest to the former Lyon man.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski only signed for Bayern Munich last summer – that infamous bosman move from divisional rivals Borussia Dortmund – but it’s hardly proved to be a match made in heaven, despite a return of 20 goals in 39 appearances for the Bundesliga champions.

Indeed, the Poland international is your classic No.9 of the Alan Shearer or Didier Drogba mould, but he’s utilised more as a poacher by the Bavarians – and, on occasion, even found himself fielded on the left wing.

There’s no questioning the 26-year-old’s talent, however; few strikers throughout the history of the sport have scored four goals in a single game against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, bringing Lewandowski’s career total to 185 goals in 340 appearances.

And having moved to the Allianz Arena on a free transfer, Pep Guardiola’s side may be willing to part with the 6 foot striker for significantly cheaper than some might expect. Reports from over the weekend, for example, claim United are considering a bid around the £35million mark.

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain says he is fully focused on the club despite reports linking him with a move to Arsenal, according to the Marca.

The Gunners are on the look out for a new striker this summer and the Argentina ace along with Barcelona striker David Villa are said to be on Arsene Wenger’s list of targets.

Higuain has struggled to establish himself in the Real side this season due to niggling injuries and the form of Karim Benzema but he has still managed to ship in with five goals in the last six games.

There have been suggestions Higuain could head to the Premier League in the summer with the Gunners and Tottenham both keen, but the player says he is staying focused on Real for now.

“I’m not going to talk about that now,” the striker revealed. “I can only say that I’m committed to the club and will help the team until the end of the season.”

Whether Arsenal could conclude a deal remains to be seen as the transfer fee coupled with the player’s wages would mean Wenger having to break the bank to land him.

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.

[cat_link cat=”arsenal” type=”grid”]

Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright believes that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho would be prepared to allow Anthony Martial to leave Old Trafford this summer.

Martial has reportedly rejected the chance to sign a new contract with the 20-time English champions amid suggestions that he is frustrated with his lack of playing time.

The France international was a regular in the first half of the campaign, but has struggled for minutes in his favoured position on the left of the attack since Alexis Sanchez made the move from Arsenal during the January transfer window.

Wright has claimed that Martial ‘has almost fallen off a cliff’ at United, and the pundit would not be surprised to see the Monaco youngster leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.

Wright told Sky Sports News:

“Martial has almost fallen off a cliff with Mourinho and if he (Mourinho) had to let one of them go it would probably be Martial.”

The United supporters are desperate for Martial to stay, and they have good reason with the 22-year-old still contributing 11 goals and 10 assists this season despite struggling to hold down a regular spot in Mourinho’s starting XI.

Many saw Arsenal’s £16million signing of Danny Welbeck as a shrewd bit of business last summer.

The former Manchester United striker was always seen to be a player who had the potential to do great things in the game if you could get regular game time.

Arsenal offered him that opportunity and, at first, it looked as if Welbeck was about to embark on an exciting future as the Gunners’ goal-getter.

But just four goals in 22 Premier League outings suggest otherwise. Yes, he’s had injuries to deal with and also the resurgence of Olivier Giroud to contend with, but you’d expect a £16million rated striker to find the net more than once every 5.5 games.

He loves a goal for England, that’s for sure. But for Arsenal he continues to be a shadow of the player everyone hoped and expected him to develop in to under Arsene Wenger.

And the Guardian have gone some way in backing up the suggestion that the striker could turn out to be a waste of money for Arsenal in their findings below.

Welbeck has scored with just 9.76% of his shots on goal for Arsenal this term, which is the third worst conversion rate behind Bafetimbi Gomis of Swansea and Sunderland’s Conor Wickham.

To put that in to perspective, teammate Olivier Giroud has a shot conversion rate of 31.71%, which is the fourth highest in the Premier League. Stoke’s Jonathan Walter’s is statistically the Premier League’s most prolific striker with 38.89%.

But perhaps he can take some comfort in knowing he’s joined by the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku in the Premier League’s worst 11 strikers based on goal conversion (minimum three goals).

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.

So there. Danny Welbeck was a complete waste of money…

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