Transfer Talk:
After serving Arsenal a blow by luring away Alexis Sanchez in January, Jose Mourinho seems to be in the mood to take another gem away from Arsenal’s crown. Antonio Valencia is getting no younger and Matteo Darmian has failed to live up to the hype that arrived with him at Manchester. For the brief period that the Ecuadorian was out with a hamstring injury in December, Mourinho preferred to deploy Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young in that position.
However, owing to his amazing fitness and longevity, Valencia hardly sits out of games and hence Mourinho hasn’t had the trouble of looking for a backup in the right back position since then. But with time, United will feel the need for someone in that slot, and the latest name being touted to move to United is that of Hector Bellerin.
Hector Bellerin: Talent Going Wasted?
Having emerged from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Bellerin moved to Arsenal in 2011. He was sent on loan before making his breakthrough in the year 2014. The Spaniard possesses searing pace and stamina which enables him to run up and down the pitch with amazing frequency. He can stretch the attack and is adept at beating his adversary with his acceleration and skills on the ball.
Bellerin is quite offensive, to be honest, and has often been used as a wingback owing to the danger that he presents while going ahead. However, certain things have let him down constantly at Arsenal. Bellerin has been criticised often due to his defensive attributes.
The Spaniard has often been let down with his positioning and the inability to read attacks while going back. This makes him a weak link in defence. Therefore, the offensive and defensive aspects of his game are almost in contrast to one another.
Should Jose make a move?
Arsenal have surely not made the best use of Hector Bellerin and a part of it is due to Wenger’s inability to make his players better defensively. Ever since his arrival, little work has been put in polishing the finer aspects of Bellerin’s game.
The good thing is the fact that the lad is still 22 and has lots of time to improve his style of play. Jose has been known to train his players well defensively and his strict disciplinary nature could work wonders for Hector in the longer run. However, any deal involving the right-back would require a lot of work considering the apparently strained relationship between the clubs after the arrival of Sanchez to Old Trafford. But the figure of £50m being quoted is something, if offered, will surely make Arsenal consider the offer.
United already have young lads such as Timothy-Fosu Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe out on loan. Both these youngsters can play well in the right-back position and can be slotted as centre-backs too. However, quality wise Hector Bellerin is way ahead and hence Jose has a tough decision to make regarding this transfer.
