Would Mathieu Flamini be welcomed back to the Emirates? I ask this question because after 6 months in Milan, the former Arsenal player hasn't managed to stamp his authority all over the first team and has been linked with a loan move to Napoli, but I put forward Arsenal.
The Gunners' biggest flaw this season has been the lack of a combative midfielder and Flamini could be just the man to fill the void he left.
He left Arsenal in acrimonious circumstance, with Arsene Wenger reluctant to let him leave but not willing to meet his £60,000 a-week wage demands. AC Milan were waiting with open arms and an open chequebook. A rare signing, being he is under 35 years of age.
Whilst starting the first game of the season (a defeat to Bologna) Flamini has found it difficult to settle in a side boasting the talents of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Rino Gattuso. Many, including myself, expected Flamini to be one of the first names on the team sheet, but it has not materialized only starting 9 games, he has found himself warming the San Siro bench most of the time. Given that Gattuso is sidelined for the entire season, you would think Flamini is a ready-made replacement. Even this has not lead to more opportunities.
Making life in Milan even more difficult for the Frenchman is the arrival of David Beckham, who has started every match since he signed and has looked extremely impressive, turning back the clock with commanding performances against Bologna and Genoa. Though, Flamini can take comfort knowing he replaced Beckham on his debut ... after 89 minutes.
Unable to force his way into the team, what will he decide? In my humble opinion he will stay and fight for his place, that is the character of the man. Even so, I don't think he will win a starting berth anytime soon. Carlo Ancelotti seems to have settled on his midfield trio and it does not include Monsieur Flamini. It would seem a loan move could do him the world of good. I would prefer if he remained in the peninsula and acclimatise to the wonderful world of Calcio.
I see him as the future, part of the re-building that will no doubt continue in the summer. Combining with Pato and Thiago Silva to form the spine of the next great AC Milan side. For all that, I feel a move would do him good and who knows maybe Arsene will welcome him back to little France before you can say ‘Sacrebleu.'
Friday, 30 January 2009
Will Juve win be the kickstart to Udinese's season?
Udinese 2 Juventus 1 ... that's right! Udinese have finally won a game. In a shock victory for Udinese, who have not beaten Juventus in the Stadio Friuli since 1995 and had just three draws from their last 10 Serie A games.
This was their first win since the 29th of October, when they beat Catania 2-0. Could it be the Bianconeri have finally turned a corner? Pasquale Marino's side have persevered through a very dramatic and dismal period, also recently flirting with the prospect of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.
So, what of the Zebrette, can they move forward from this and mount a Roma-esque surge up the league and present a case for Champions League qualification. Make no mistake, Udinese deserved their win over Juventus and outplayed them for the full 90 minutes, with goals coming from Fabio Quagliarella and the magnificent Antonio Di Natale, Juventus were outclassed from the off. Juve manager Claudio Ranieri was humble in defeat and commended Udinese on their performance, "they proved impeccable both in defence and on the counter-attack," he declared.
The confidence of the side was at an all time low, humiliated by Reggina and Atalanta, throwing away a 3-0 lead against Lazio, destroyed 5-1 by Beckham's AC Milan. It looked as if nothing could stop the slide of the Bianconeri, who, after 8 games were sitting pretty at the summit of Serie A and playing the kind of football Arsenal would covet. A Scudetto challenge was mooted, or more realistically a UEFA cup place. Maybe this pressure penetrated the player's minds, unsettling a team of massive potential, culminating in the mediocre run of results.
Pasquale Marino, to his credit, has kept the faith with the players available and his loyalty has finally been repaid. During the 3-month barren period, Marino was coming under increasing fear of the sack and even received the dreaded ‘vote of confidence' from President Gianpaolo Pozzo. In spite of that, he has remained, for the time being at least. That in itself is a mean feat in Italy, citing a recent example: Bepe Pillion of Reggina being axed after 5 weeks! Taking that into account, praise must go to the Udinese hierarchy for not succumbing to media pressure and realising they have a very talented tactician on their hands.
After constant criticism, tactical tweaks and a revamp of the training structure, the relief in Udine must be palpable. Even so, I ask you, will the Bianconeri build on this momentous victory or will it be April before we see another Udinese victory?
This was their first win since the 29th of October, when they beat Catania 2-0. Could it be the Bianconeri have finally turned a corner? Pasquale Marino's side have persevered through a very dramatic and dismal period, also recently flirting with the prospect of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.
So, what of the Zebrette, can they move forward from this and mount a Roma-esque surge up the league and present a case for Champions League qualification. Make no mistake, Udinese deserved their win over Juventus and outplayed them for the full 90 minutes, with goals coming from Fabio Quagliarella and the magnificent Antonio Di Natale, Juventus were outclassed from the off. Juve manager Claudio Ranieri was humble in defeat and commended Udinese on their performance, "they proved impeccable both in defence and on the counter-attack," he declared.
The confidence of the side was at an all time low, humiliated by Reggina and Atalanta, throwing away a 3-0 lead against Lazio, destroyed 5-1 by Beckham's AC Milan. It looked as if nothing could stop the slide of the Bianconeri, who, after 8 games were sitting pretty at the summit of Serie A and playing the kind of football Arsenal would covet. A Scudetto challenge was mooted, or more realistically a UEFA cup place. Maybe this pressure penetrated the player's minds, unsettling a team of massive potential, culminating in the mediocre run of results.
Pasquale Marino, to his credit, has kept the faith with the players available and his loyalty has finally been repaid. During the 3-month barren period, Marino was coming under increasing fear of the sack and even received the dreaded ‘vote of confidence' from President Gianpaolo Pozzo. In spite of that, he has remained, for the time being at least. That in itself is a mean feat in Italy, citing a recent example: Bepe Pillion of Reggina being axed after 5 weeks! Taking that into account, praise must go to the Udinese hierarchy for not succumbing to media pressure and realising they have a very talented tactician on their hands.
After constant criticism, tactical tweaks and a revamp of the training structure, the relief in Udine must be palpable. Even so, I ask you, will the Bianconeri build on this momentous victory or will it be April before we see another Udinese victory?
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