Tag Archives: Chelsea

10 signings who have been bigger flops than Mesut Ozil

7 Replies

In 50 years time, if they were to label the current age of football, it would be given the title ‘The Reactionary Age’, a time where one win see’s you labelled as title challengers, and one defeat see’s fans demand the managers head. A period where Tottenham reserve Andros Townsend can have 1 good game and be labelled as the future of English football, booking his seat on the plane to Brazil, whilst triple German Player of the Year Mesut Ozil has apparently lost his seat on the plane after going off at half time with an injury.

You have to wonder, with the current reactionary state, what would have happened to the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires had they been making their debuts this season. Would Cristiano Ronaldo, labelled as a “fancy dan cheat” when he first arrived, ever of become the worlds best player? Even more recent players, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker were written off after barely a season – they are now the best centre back partnership in the world. It seems we are very quick to right off a player as a ‘flop’ and it is dangerous to do so.

Yes, there are many big money flops who have played in the Premier League. Fernando Torres’ and Andriy Shevchenko’s big money moves to Chelsea never paid off, Juan Sebastian Veron’s time at both Manchester United and Chelsea, Andy Carroll, firstly at Liverpool, then  at West Ham, has flopped. And what about Owen Hargreaves contribution to Manchester United? But Mesut Ozil is the 2nd most effective and consistent attacking midfielder in the Premier League. The Premier League spent £630 million in the summer and an additional £130 million in January, and many players have contributed a lot less than the under fire Mesut Ozil. Here is 10:

Erik Lamela (Roma to Tottenham – £25.8m)

The man who was set to replace Gareth Bale at Spurs arrived with a big transfer fee and big expectations. In a deal worth up to £30m, it is unlikely that Spurs will have to ever pay any of the ‘additional bonus payments’ as he is set to become the biggest flop ever in the Premier League. 3 league games started, 0 goals scored. That is nearly £10 million a start. And apparently you can not divide by 0, so I can not work out his goals/cost ratio. He has at least contributed 1 assist in the total of 9 games played in the Premier League. Spurs even tried to sell him in January!

Marouane Felliani (Everton to Manchester United – £27.5m)

When Arsenal were signing Mesut Ozil, Manchester United were signing Marouane Felliani. Many experts claimed Arsenal would have been better off buying the Belgium. Pointing out Arsenal required his strength and steel in defensive midfield rather than Mesut Ozil’s guile. Of course, these experts forgot that Felliani spent most of his time at Everton playing behind the striker. The big man has struggled to get into Manchester United’s midfield, despite it being useless. He has more red cards for Manchester United this season than he does goals and assists.

Willian (Anzhi to Chelsea – £30m)

Snapped up by Chelsea under the noses of Spurs, it could be argued that Tottenham got a lucky escape, until you remember they then turned their sights to Erik Lamela. £30m for an attacking midfielder who had a reputation for a hard shot, Willian has scored 2 goals with 6 assists in all conceptions. Super-flop Mesut Ozil, remember, has 6 goals and 13 assists this campaign. In Willian’s defence, he has not been helped by Mourinho turning him into a defensive forward (later to be known as the ‘Willian Role’). Although his record shows that he is not a goal scoring midfielder. You would certainly expect more for £30m.

Roberto Soldado (Valencia to Tottenham – £26.4m)

It is a pity that Roberto Soldado scored his 2nd league goal from open play against Cardiff City on March 2nd, as it meant the joke “What does Asmir Begovic and Roberto Soldado have in common? They have both scored 1 goal from open play” was no longer as funny. The Spaniard has been so bad that Emmanuel Adebayor has been recalled to the Tottenham 1st team.

Juan Mata (Chelsea to Manchester United – £37.1m)

He might have only just recently joined Manchester United, but in the Reactionary Age, I will happily label him as a flop. In 6 games since his move, he is yet to score and has 3 assists. In the last 6 games for Arsenal, Mesut Ozil has 1 goal and 2 assists. If one is on a poor run of form and makes him a flop, then likewise, we have to chuck Juan Mata into the fold too. You get the feeling with a side who already has Wayne Rooney, Kagawa, Nani and Young in its midst, Mata is a vanity signing, made by Moyes to make him look good.

Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina to Manchester City – £22m)

A one time, long term Arsenal target, the decision of Arsene Wenger to pursue Gonzalo Higuain, and later Luis Suarez, led to Manchester City jumping in and signing the Montenegrin captain for £22m, despite already having Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo & Edin Dzeko in their squad. A mixture of injuries, unimpressive displays, and the pure weight of players ahead of him has led the 24 year old to start just 2 league games this season.

Andy Carroll (Liverpool to West Ham – £15m)

Last season, Andy Carroll joined West Ham on loan and scored a magnificent 7 goals in 24 years. This led to the Hammers spending £15 million on him. 2 league starts, 0 goals and 1 red card later has led Sam Allardyce saying he is finding it hard to pick between Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole, who they released on a free in the summer.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Gary Hooper and Johan Elmander (Sporting, Celtic & Galatasaray to Norwich – £13.5m total)

A 3 in one special here. Struggling for goals? Go out and buy 3 new strikers who scored 56 goals between all of them last season. End result? 10 goals between them over 70 games. Not really what you would expect from 3 high profile summer signings expected to score the goals to keep you up. Norwich are the second lowest goal scorers in the Premier League this year, despite signing the 3 strikers. Crystal Palace would have run them close for this spot had the secured the services of Lord Bendtner alongside Lady Chamakh and Dwight Gayle.

Mamadou Sakho (PSG to Liverpool – £18m)

The long hyped French centre back was sold to Liverpool despite being PSG’s youngest ever captain. Another one linked to Arsenal (more to do with him being young and French) the question on those who know a thing or two about football was ‘why would PSG let him go if he was any good’. And the answer is clear. He is not as good as Football Manager makes it out. Shifted between centre back, the left of a back 3 and full back, the Frenchman is now looking like a very expensive mistake. He has played just 13 games in all competitions for Liverpool, whilst Kolo Toure has been picked ahead of him.

Dani Osvaldo (Roma to Southampton – £15m)

Buy a player who has scored 42 goals in 3 years in Italy and Spain, then watch as he kicked and head butted a team mate, leaving ‘blood everything’ before later reportedly brining a samurai sword into training. They might have got 3 goals out of the Argentine, but it is unlikely he will ever play for again. A £15m buy bombed out within 6 months is surely a flop.

Keenos

Which team is 10 games unbeaten, W 8, D 2, F 20, A 4?

9 Replies

Arsenal are a club in crisis. Or that is what you would believe if you listened to the press and only followed the club on twitter. It seems now, a crisis club is defined as one which;

  • Is unbeaten in 2014
  • Has conceded just 4 goals in the last 10 games
  • Has gained 90 points in their last 38 league games
  • Is top of the league

I am more than happy being a crisis club at the moment. If we remove the off field actions of our board from the equation, things are fairly bright and sunny at Arsenal at the moment. Have I mentioned we are top of the league?

Yes, we failed to strengthen in the January transfer window, but who did? Chelsea shuffled their squad, selling attacking players for more defensive ones, resulting in an inability to break down West Ham at home. Neither Manchester City or Liverpool bought anyone. Spurs tried – and failed – to sell every player they bought in the summer. Everton bought Aiden McGeady and signed their 4th loanee (what will they do next year without Barry, Lukaku, Deulofeu & Traore). Finally Manchester United splashed out £37m on an attacking midfielder when they really needed 2 central midfielder’s, 2 centre backs, a right back, a left back and a new manager.

In reality, it is ‘as you were lads’ with regards to the top teams Premier League squads. Yes, we have perhaps missed a trick. Had we got in the 2 players we so desperately need, we could have run away with the league title. But then again, it is fairly hard to improve on 19 points from the last 21. And we are top of the league!

We are being labelled a crisis club, yet look around. Manchester United are 15 points off the summit. 7 points off top 4. They have an incompetent manager who has spent £70m on two players they do not need (Mata & Fellaini). If Arsenal were in Manchester United’s position, the press would be having a field day. But no, Manchester United, in 7th, are in transition, whilst Arsenal, who are top of the league, are a club in crisis.

Spurs are with a new manager, just conceded 5 at home (for the 2nd time this season) and spent £100m on so many duff players that their current top performing central midfielder is a youth team product. Imagine selling your best player, sacking your manager and wasting £100m. Yet all the press talk about is how good a job Tim Sherwood is doing. Meanwhile, Arsenal, who are top of the league, are in crisis and Wenger is incompetent.

Manchester City had been on a great run of late, with 34 points from 36. They were reportedly running away with the league title. Yet at best, they gained a 1 point lead on Arsenal. Arsenal are now top of the league. Manchester City are 2nd, 2 points behind.

And whilst the world go’s on about Arsenal’s midfield problems, with no Ramsey, Wilshere & Flamini, it was their replacement in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who stepped up in the game against Crystal Palace with 2 brilliant goals. Meanwhile, Manchester City, who have spent over £100m on defensive midfielder’s over the last 5 years (Barry, Toure, Garcia, Rodwell, Fernandinho) played yesterdays game with a 33 year old centre back in the engine room.

Even last night on TalkSport, after Manchester City’s home defeat to Chelsea, they spent as more time speaking about Arsenal signing Kim Kallstrom than they did about Demichelis playing central midfield for City.

People are still doubting Arsenal’s credentials when it comes to the title race. Yes, Manchester City have a very strong squad, with plenty of squad depth, and probably are favourites for the title. However, we are now 24 games in. Arsenal are still top. The excuse that we have ‘yet to play anyone’ has passed. It seems now pundits are refusing to even discuss our title chances. Almost ignoring that we exist, that we are top. Yesterday’s game between Chelsea and Manchester City was billed as a title decider. It is February. They are 2nd and 3rd. Arsenal are top.

No matter what you think about our off the field matters at the moment – and they are a disgrace – the men on the pitch are doing there job. When they cross the white line, we need to ensure we are behind them. We need to be the twelfth man. We are not in crisis. We are top of the league. Let’s stay their.

Keenos

Are Theo Walcott and Eden Hazard equals?

14 Replies

On Saturday, I made a comparison between Eden Hazard and Theo Walcott on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/KeenosAFC/status/422019060184788992

Anyone who follows me knows I am a massive stats man. It is very easy to confuse a player playing well due to step overs, cute passes and plenty of skill, whilst writing off a player who plays a very simple, yet effective game.

Comparing Theo Walcott to Eden Hazard got me a lot of criticism. Perhaps rightly so. Many claimed Eden Hazard to be world class football, who will become an equal amongst Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Whilst Theo Walcott is no more than a (and I quote) “Yet another Englishman who has not fulfilled his potential.

To use some stats from the period highlighted earlier (that being for last season and this), in the last 2 seasons, the above mentioned have scored in all competitions:

  • Cristiano Ronaldo: 84 goals
  • Neymar: 67
  • Lionel Messi: 66
  • Theo Walcott: 27
  • Eden Hazard: 24

So the 1st thought from me is “who is crazier, me comparing Walcott to Hazard, or those people who put Hazard in the Messi/Neymar/Ronaldo bracket.’ I think the stats tell you the answer.

Moving on, the main criticism I got was that ‘I had to remember Hazard was in a new league, and that I should be comparing his first 54 Premier League games to Walcott’s 1st 54”. Firstly, this is ridiculous. Walcott was 19 when he had played 54 Premier League games. To compare a 19 year old to a 23 year old is just pointless. However, this did actually send me down another route of thinking which produced many similar stats:

  • Both Eden Hazard & Theo Walcott made their professional debut’s at 16
  • Both Eden Hazard & Theo Walcott made their international debut’s at 17
  • Theo Walcott is 24, Eden Hazard is 23
  • Both Eden Hazard and Theo Walcott’s best position is wide forward
  • Both Eden Hazard & Theo Walcott have scored 74 club goals
  • Both Eden Hazard and Theo Walcott have scored 5 international goals (Hazard has 6 more caps)
  • Eden Hazard has played 282 games for Lille & Chelsea, Theo Walcott has played 281 games for Arsenal

The big argument for Hazard is that he has only just joined the Premier League. But that can be countered fairly easy. It would not have been hard for Hazard to settle to living in England. He moved to Lille at 14, so living abroad was normal for him. Lille is based in the North West of England, and is very similar to England in terms of climate and culture. It is linked to the EuroStar. Hazard was born in Belgium. Belgium, like the Swiss, have adopted English as a second or 3rd language. The majority of the country speak it fluently. Eden Hazard spoke it fluently.

So the ‘settling’ argument is out of the window. The French league is a similar style of play to England, and Hazard would have had no trouble settling into English life. The weather would have been no problem, nor would the food, or the language. Therefore, I ask, is it so ludicrous to compare Theo Walcott to Eden Hazard?

The difference between the 2 is Eden Hazard is better on the eye. He has a trick. He has a step over. He has a shimmy. Whilst Theo Walcott is more direct. More simple. But the end product of both is the same.

A reminder of the stats:

  • Theo Walcott: 45 Premier League games in the last 2 seasons, 19 goals, 15 assists
  • Eden Hazard: 54 Premier League games in the last 2 seasons, 18 goals, 17 assists

So one plays with a bit of razzmatazz, whilst another is not that pretty on the eye, yet their output is the same.

A lot of people moan that we watch Eden Hazard for 2 seasons yet did not buy him, but surely Theo Walcott is the justification behind him? Why spend £30odd million on Eden Hazard when we have a player who scores and assists as many goals?

Theo Walcott and Eden Hazard are two players of similar age, similar experience and play in the same position. The only difference between them is they play the game in a different way. One turned left to walk around the globe, the other turned right, but they both ended up on the other side of the earth at the exact same time. One skipped their, the other walked. One did it with style, the other did it simply. Well you get my point.

So let me ask you, is it so silly for me to say that Theo Walcott and Eden Hazard are equals?

Keenos