Will Benzema leave for the Gunners? (photo by Jan Solo)
Arsenal apparently want to sign Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, for God knows what amount. One thing that we can predict from the past is that Arsenal are not known as heavy spenders. They are more like, heavy sellers. A selling club, so I do not understand the reason why Wenger had to make the comments that he did make.
Apparently, Wenger is a huge admirer of Benzema and thinks that Karim Benzema is one of the best strikers in the world. Wenger was very particular about Karim Benzema’s work ethic and his positioning relative to his teammates. He thinks this gives Benzema a clear advantage over other fellow strikers in world football.
Benzema’s agent has outright denied that Karim Benzema wants to leave Real Madrid. He says that Benzema is happy at Real Madrid and wants to play every game with the same energy and enthusiasm. Though, reports say that Real Madrid want to extend Adebayor’s stay and that is why they want to sell Benzema in order to fund Adebayor’s contract.
Real Madrid want to buy him on a permanent basis. We all know Mourinho’s soft corner for big, strong and tall strikers who can hold up the ball at the front and wait for the teammates to arrive and make a play out of nothing. I think, to beat Barcelona, Real Madrid are going to have to deploy the tactic of playing long balls to Adebayor and then pushing Ronaldo and Maria down the wings to attack Barcelona’s full backs.
Otherwise, I do not see the point of signinig Adebayor and selling Benzema. Benzema has got way more potential and is much more clinical when it comes to taking chances 1 v 1 with the keeper. Adebayor is a horrible chance to goal converter. He missed some sitters in many games and should have scored a couple against Barcelona as well. Not to say that he is completely useless, I mean, Ronaldo missed some easy pies against Barcelona as well (return leg this years Champions League Semi Final at Camp Nou).
For me, I would stick with Benzema and let Adebayor leave. I think Benzema is young and can still improve. People are saying that he had a horrible season last season and the fact is that he was not given enough playing time. But, he still has ended up with 26 goals which is a pretty good return. Especially given the fact that Mourinho rarely gave him the confidence of being a starter every game.
In other news, Xabi Alonso has explained why he left Anfield. Apparently, he talked with Rafa Benitez at the end of the season (in which he arrived at Real Madrid, 2008 was it?) and Rafa told him that they were looking to sign Gareth Barry to replace Alonso. Even though Alonso was the absolute player of the season for Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso explains his side of the story
Xabi Alonso did not like the idea of being used to raise funds for other players. He thought he was really important to Liverpool and Benitez. Luckily, Real Madrid bought Xabi for 30 million British pounds. That is a heck a lot of money. But, given the performances Xabi Alonso has displayed so far, I think he has justified every penny paid for him.
I think Spanish players generally have difficulty in living in England. You know, markets gets closed really early, around 6 or 7 pm in some places. The weather is cold and rainy. Two things, spaniards never enjoy and thus it was inevitable that Xabi Alonso would leave Liverpool for a spanish club.
Fabregas is also rumored to be, heading for Barcelona. More on that in some other post as that is one transfer I would love Barcelona to make. Ok, that is about it for now. HALA MADRID!!!
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