Is this the REAL evidence that Samir Nasri is just in it for the money?

I’ve never heard anything like it. When it comes to game-time footballers usually complain that they’re not getting enough of it. Unless they are nursing an injury it’s almost unheard of for a professional footballer to complain that they’re playing too much. But that’s exactly what Manchester City’s Samir Nasri has stated was the case during his time at Arsenal.

The fact that he even feels the need to justify his limited game time at Manchester City speaks volumes. He’s been the subject of plenty of criticism – not just from Arsenal fans and it’s clearly affected him. Why else would he cook up crazy excuses and justifications like this?

Speaking to Canal+ Nasri claimed that he hasn’t been underplayed whilst at Manchester City. In fact he claims: “at Arsenal, I played too much”. Are we expected to believe that Nasri spent most of his time with the Gunners wishing he could put his feet up on the bench?

First off, I’ll confess that there has been some doubt over the veracity of these quotes. Yet, when it comes to Nasri I’m willing to consider him guilty until proven innocent.

When you’re getting paid the salary of a professional footballer, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect to play one or two games a week. Whilst footballers do need to be rested from time to time, to actively speak out about being played too often seems a step too far. Surely if you’re passionate about football you want to get involved as much as possible? If you’re not just there to pick up a paycheck surely the desire should be to start every game?

Besides, Samir Nasri made 110 starts over three years at Arsenal. That’s an average of 36-37 games a year – hardly extortionate.

What’s weird is that Nasri is always so keen to paint himself as an ambitious footballer. He didn’t leave Arsenal for the money, he left because he wanted to join a team that was seriously competing for silverware. This is something he was keen to underline in the same interview: “I came here to win the title, play at the highest level and I’m improving.”

For a start, despite his barnstorming performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night I’m not sure he has improved since leaving Arsenal. If anything he has been more inconsistent. Whilst he’s playing at the highest level (something he was also doing at Arsenal) his chances of winning the title this season are seriously undermined by Manchester United’s current form.

For all this talk of ambition and desiring success, his willingness to sit large chunks of the season out is a little worrying. Surely genuine ambition in football is encapsulated by the desire to be the man leading your team onwards to success? As it stands, serious questions remain over Nasri’s motives.

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