Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic may both end up being remembered as Manchester United legends, but it was bloomin’ inconsiderate of them to both head for Old Trafford’s exit at the same time.
Louis Van Gaal, The Red Devils new master and commander is in a relatively unenviable position. He’s inherited a fairly workaday, average squad and to make matters worse, he’s now lost two of his team’s most important, experienced individuals.
Whilst improvements need to be made throughout the squad, focusing on the defense will certainly help Manchester United to prepare adequately for next season.
This brings me to Manchester United’s interest in Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen and the potential for a somewhat odd swap-deal.
According to The Mirror, The Red Devils are still interested in the Belgian bruiser, but Arsene Wenger (cad that he is), is playing ‘hardball’. As a result, Manchester United are considering offering a player to try and sweeten the deal. The suggestion is that Chris Smalling could be used to tempt Arsenal into selling.
Wait, what?
Chris Smalling has had his moments, but he still has a long way to go until he reaches anything like Thomas Vermaelen’s ability and reputation. Even granting Vermaelen’s form over the last 12 months, this looks like a deal that Arsenal could regret making.
I’m not even sure that Manchester United fans would be entirely happy with it. After all, he’s only 24-years-old and has shown glimpses that he’s ready to blossom into a good player.
Vermaelen, on the other hand, will be 29-years-old this November. Smalling is a long-term solution, whilst the Belgian is only likely to make an impact for the length of his next contract. He’s likely to slow down if he spends any longer at Old Trafford than that.
When a swap-deal doesn’t seem to make sense for either side, it’s difficult to see it going ahead. Let’s hope that this one is just tabloid nonsense.
What’s your take? Would anyone benefit from a swap deal including Chris Smalling and Thomas Vermaelen?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Of course there would be a beneficiary. Manchester United would get an experienced international centre back who could, barring injury, walk straight into the first team. Arsenal, on the other hand, would get a useles full back, an aveage centre back, in fact a player who will never be Premier league quality. So, by my reckoning, Manchester United will benefit.
QED
(stupid question really)
£5-£6m + Smalling and it seems to make sense to both sides. That said they would both ideally like to bring in one (maybe two for Utd) more defender each.
If it happens, it will be a great news for man utd. We can get 3 or 4 years from T.V, but smalling has no intention to become big. I mean, he is a flop
Totally Agree with Ivan.
Smalling does all the coached stuff well…. But !!! his brain works in slow motion.
When you talk about a players reaction time (ie, the proverbial extra yard of pace).
This guy gives everyone an extra 2 yards. Something that cannot be coached, sorry to say.
Getting rid of a liability would be a big plus on it’s own.
But LVG also likes to spot players that function greater than sum of the parts, as a team.
So I would definitely take my chances with Vermaelen. Hope it’s true.
Arsenal get a third Centre Back, who can deputise at Right Back. Under le Prof’s watchful eyes, he can blossom into the player Sir Alex Ferguson believed he could be, when he signed him. ManU get a bench warmer, but an otherwise experienced footballer.
Surely Arsenal will benefit, age is on the side of smalling. Wenger will help him with proper monitoring he will be good player. Arsenal should go ahead with the plan