Football Fixtures: Wesley Sneijder

Showing posts with label Wesley Sneijder. Show all posts

Nani for Sneijder?

Wesley Sneijder

Nani Nani of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on April 9, 2011 in Manchester, England.

When Nani walks out onto a football pitch wearing Manchester United colours, you know that he will have an effect on the game. He will cause problems on the wings, he will come inside and unleash a thunderous shot, he will win free-kicks in dangerous areas, he will create and score goals. If it wasn't for him and his stunning form this season, United wouldn't be where they are now - 7 points clear at the top of the Premier League and on course for a Champions League semi final and FA Cup Final.

It wasn't always like that, and at one point he might have been out of the Old Trafford door with a thumping headache and Sir Alex Ferguson's angry words ringing in his ears. But he kept at it, and has turned inconsistency's into an instrumental role at United. Why on earth would United want to let him go?

Well apparently, for Wesley Sneijder. The Netherlands international and Inter Milan play maker has been on Ferguson's wanted list for a while now, with the Inter Milan president confirming solid interest in the player from United. Considering the great World Cup he had and the well known quality in midfield that he can inject, that is very much understandable. Weight is added to the argument when you consider that Paul Scholes' contract negotiations are well off resolving and retirement is just around the corner. United will be looking for a replacement, and what a fantastic one Sneijder would be.

Would Ferguson really allow Nani to leave United so he can exchange him for an older player, in a different position? One that statistically has not had anywhere near as good a season as Nani has, and one who has never played in England before? Sure, he may settle down very quickly in England, but what if he doesn't? One of United's most influential players would be enjoying life in Italy while the player exchanged for him is suffering in a new, very different environment.

Manchester United fans have been left scratching their heads as to why Nani has been left off of the Player of the Year short-list. He has, in the Premier League alone, scored 9, and directly assisted 14 while playing a prominent role in countless Manchester United attacks, often proving lethal for the opposition. Meanwhile, Sneijder has managed 3 goals and 5 assists in the Italian Serie A.

I for one, would not like to see Nani leave Old Trafford for Sneijder. I would like to see the Dutchman wearing the red of United, but not at the expense of one of United's best, who is always looking to improve. Sir Alex has spoken of Nani's early troubles before, and by the sounds of it, the great Scot would not be any hurry to see Nani go either:

“Nani wasn’t close to leaving because he’d have had to get by me! Of course we sat down and talked. You do that with all your players.

“I don’t need to trumpet his improvement, he’s been consistent all season. He’s a match winner – he creates goals and he scores goals. Every time he gets near the ball, you think something special is going to happen. That’s the sign of a great player.”

Is £25 million Young the Best Man for United?

Wesley Sneijder

Ashley Young Ashley Young of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Ghana at Wembley Stadium on March 29, 2011 in London, England.

As a child, Ashley Young was a devoted Arsenal fan. That isn't the best introduction considering United's fierce rivalry with the Gunners, but don't worry, "They're just another team" now according to the 25 year old who has been recently linked to a big money move away from Aston Villa to clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool.

Since joining Aston Villa in 2007, he has always been an attacking threat that is a nuisance for defenders to deal with. In his second season at Villa, Young managed 17 assists and nine goals, as well as every wingers' ambition - to leave the defenders dizzy. However, despite winning Player of the month twice in 2008, many performances have been shaky and ineffective. His pace and dribbling abilities are obviously his strong points, but his strength and sometimes effort have let him down.

His recent performances for England have propelled him to a higher level however, and his impressive two games against Wales and Ghana have certainly changed my mind about him. In both international games he looked very bright, and one of England's main threats as he thrived in the 4-3-3 formation - being given a more free and roaming role against Ghana in the absence of Rooney.

His club may not be having the best time this season; currently wavering in the midst of a relegation battle which, considering the players they have, is hard to believe, but he has impressed. 8 goals, 8 assists and attempting a total of 64 shots is ambitious and not bad going, and he has the spark to be a great winger.

But is he good enough, do they need him and will he fit into the Manchester United side?

First of all, at that price, it's a no go. A £25 million transfer fee and apparently, £100,000 a week wages is way too much for a player who rarely shines against top opposition. Yes, he can perform well against sides with poor defences - four goals against Blackburn and one each against Bolton and Wigan this season. He did score 1 each against against United and Chelsea, but from the penalty spot. Whether he has turned a corner whilst in an England shirt remains to be seen, but when United play in Europe, all of the players have to perform to progress.

I don't think Nani will leave this summer, but if he does - which has been rumoured, Young wouldn't be a bad replacement. He hasn't had as good a season as Nani - who has been exceptional, but under Ferguson, he may be able to improve to United's level. Ryan Giggs has extended his contract at United for another year, but if Young were to arrive before the Welshman's departure, he could only benefit from a man who ruled the wings for about 20 years.

Pace, dribbling ability and superb crossing were exactly what Giggs possessed in his early to late twenties, but as Young is used more of a central threat and further up the pitch, he may become a better player. Even if Sir Alex has been given £100 million, the price is still a stumbling block as well as the proposed wages. The money, I believe should be used for a Paul Scholes replacement primarily, and then after that, perhaps a winger. A player like Wesley Sneijder should be priority.

"The interest from Manchester United in Sneijder is real." - But...

Wesley Sneijder

It is no secret that Manchester United need reinforcements in midfield. The frailty's have been for all to see this season, and it is credit to the winning mentality at the club that they are at the top of the Premier League table by five points without playing their best football.

Paul Scholes is still yet to sign an extension on his contract with the club, and if he does decide to retire or move on at the end of the season, Sir Alex will urgently need to find a replacement. Likewise, Owen Hargreaves' injuries continue to pester him, and whether or not Ferguson decides to stick with him and attempt to get his moneys worth for the Canadian is yet to be seen.

Nevertheless, it is no surprise that Inter Milan have confirmed United's interest in Wesley Sneijder. Last summer, Sir Alex dismissed the fact that he had made a bid for the 26 year-old Dutchman. He said:

“I don’t know where those reports about Sneijder came from. How can anybody turn me down when I haven’t even made a bid?”

The interest however has now been confirmed by the Inter Milan President, Massimo Moratti who said this:

“The interest from Manchester United in Sneijder is real. But I didn’t look into it. My only interest is seeing Sneijder play here for many more years to come.”

Sneijder is the creative spark that the United midfield would love to have. In 21 games this season, the Dutchman has scored 3, created 5 and unleashed an ambitious 93 shots on goal. He is quick, strong and powerful with accurate shooting ability but apparently out of United's reach.

Sneijder Wouldn't turn down Manchester United

Wesley Sneijder

Reports that Manchester United had bid close to £25 million for Wesley Sneijder in the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson dismissed as rubbish. He said that Sneijder hadn't turned United down, because they hadn't even made an approach. But no doubt, Ferguson was interested.

His nose would have been pressed up against the shop window, and as he checked his pockets for money, he would have found a few buttons, a couple of chewing gum wrappers and a note from the Glazers reminding him that Manchester United were in billions of pounds of debt. He couldn't enter that shop.

But maybe, sometime in the future, the United manager will have his pocket money increased, and maybe then he can enter the shop instead of browsing on the outside. After what Wesley Sneijder said today, it seems that if Ferguson were to pay the money, the Dutchman would jump at the chance of joining United.

"If somebody asks me if I will ever play for Manchester United, it's impossible for me to say no," Sneijder told the Daily Star Sunday.

"How can you say that if the chance came you would not play for one of the biggest clubs in the world? I don't think there is any player in the world who could publicly rule out ever playing for Manchester United, and if they did I would doubt they were telling the truth."

"The Premier League, in terms of top clubs, is the strongest in the world, and it would be nice to finish my career saying I have played at the very top in Spain, Italy, and England. There is not many who can say they have done that, and if that does happen for me I would only want it to be with Manchester United."