Most of my Twitter followers already know my stance on Robin van Persie, but if you have not heard yet/you do not follow me on Twitter (You should @stiuge) – I will repeat those views now!
There is no denying that Robin van Persie is a fantastic footballer, or at least he has been scoring regularly for Arsenal during the 2011-2012 season. But before that he has only managed to score 66 Premier League goals in 194 games. 0.34 goals per game.
For comparison, Wayne Rooney has scored 129 Premier League goals in 251 games (0,514 goals per game). Not to forget Rooney has played most of his games in a deeper role, and still managed to score 11 or more goals in every single season for United.
And no, I am not saying Robin van Persie is as good as Rooney, only Arsenal fans seem to think so, but I think this comparison is not too far fetched since both of them play for big Premier League clubs, and are considered their best strikers.
Now to my second point, Injury problems, last season was Robin van Persie’s first, when he managed to play in more than 28 Premier League fixtures, actually he played in every single one. But that doesn’t change the fact he is injury prone, some could say his legs are made of glass. Arsenal’s physios know van Persie better than his wife does, well you got my point.
And at 29, there is no re-sell value – and if he really wants the switch to United, we should wait and sign him for free after next season. He would also ask for a proper high salary package that would bring him around the same wages as Wayne Rooney is earning at the moment, mental? Yes.
Moving on, what would this signing mean to our young guns and new signing Shinji Kagawa?
Danny Welbeck had a fantastic season for us, and he is only going to get better providing he gets to play regularly. What is the point to bring young players through our ranks and send them out on loan to adjust them to life in the Premier League, and then not play them?
If we end up signing Robin van Persie, I think it will end Hernandez’s or Welbeck’s United career.
Also Welbeck is still in the middle of his contract negotiations, and I could see this deal harming those discussions, and in the worst case we would have to sell him when he rejects the new contract. This of course being the worst case scenario.
What about our new signing Kagawa? He was most likely brought in to play behind Wayne Rooney, in #10 role, what would happen to his chances in the first team if we signed van Persie? Kagawa is not a central midfielder, he cannot be used there.
He has been deployed as left winger by Japanese national team, but it’s hardly his best position. And given the wide choices we have in Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia (And Bebe!) – I cannot see Sir Alex Ferguson using him as a winger.
I don’t know, it’s just what I think of it all, I might be wrong too.
But let’s continue on this subject IF he signs for us.
In other news Lucas Moura has completed his move to PSG, after rejecting a chance to move to United. Rumours say his agent receives a whooping €9 million euro agent fee.
Its madness, right? Well Bebe’s agent received €3.5 million when his client joined United from Vitoria Guimaraes, now that’s just bonkers!
By @stiuge
Comments are closed.