Is this reported Arsenal and Tottenham target really worth £25m?
In light of what has been a impressively successful season down at St Mary’s in 2014/15 – despite the mass summer exodus that had some pundits in the game even touting relegation as a possible outcome for the Saints this term – Morgan Schneiderlin has been one of several key stars to do the business for Ronald Koeman in the last ten months.
Although the 25-year-old Frenchman looked to be on his way out after the departures of Adam Lallana and co. from the south coast last season, the combative defensive midfielder has since re-staked his claim among the St. Mary’s faithful, and proved to be more than worthy of the widespread praise and acclaim that was initially pointed in his direction.
As holding onto their star talent has traditionally been a tough ask for the bosses behind the scenes at Southampton though, it is widely expected that the former Strasbourg man will be courted by the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham once again as the new season approaches. Such notions very rarely change within the annual routine of Premier League football proceedings.
With the Saints reportedly placing a hefty £25 million price tag on the Frenchman’s head however, just how likely is it that their top-flight competitors will stump up the cash for his services next term, and is Morgan Schneiderlin ultimately worth such a sizeable amount?
Within any debate surrounding the talents of the Southampton no. 4 in recent seasons, it must certainly be admitted that the defensive midfielder definitely brings a great deal to the table.
Schneiderlin is simply a jack of all trades in the heart of his side’s midfield. The 25-year-old proves valuable in bringing the ball calmly out from the back and aiding his teammates in the attack, his reading of the game has been performed to a superbly consistent level this season – and as his quietly impressive four league goals have shown throughout the 2014/15 campaign – the daring midfielder also has a knack for finishing in the final third when given the chance.
The highly valued Saints man has therefore shown himself to be more than capable on the ball this term, but it is perhaps what he does off it that shines him in such a positive light. When it comes to tackling, breaking up play, and proving a destructive force for the opposition to deal with – Morgan Schneiderlin certainly does his fair share of the dirty work.
It is predominantly for these reasons that Arsenal have reportedly been so keen on landing the Frenchman across the past few transfer windows. Alongside the recently emerged Francis Coquelin down at the Emirates this season, the current St. Mary’s favourite would seemingly slot in perfectly within Arsene Wenger’s current set-up. He wouldn’t look out of place among the classy calibre of football played at Arsenal in recent history, but he would also give the Gunners that much needed grit in the middle that has been somewhat lacking in the past few seasons.
The player himself has already supposedly ruled out a move to White Hart Lane next season, likely preferring the offer of Champions League football at the Emirates instead. As the Saints simply aren’t operating in the same ball park when it comes to Europe, perhaps this summer the St. Mary’s faithful may have to resign themselves to finally losing their in-demand midfielder.
However, even with such a positive outlook on board for the talented 25-year-old, £25 million is simply way over the odds for someone of his overall skill-set. Yes, he’s certainly a jack of all trades as previously mentioned – but in following on from such a clichéd phrase – Morgan Schneiderlin must also go down as a reluctant master of none.
It may seem harsh to label the French international in such a crude way of course, for 2014/15 has undoubtedly been a great success for the player in question – but as Arsenal need a true master of the defensive midfield to finally push on for the Premier League title once again next season – the current Southampton favourite simply isn’t their man.
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As both Liverpool and Manchester United have seemingly set the tone for purchasing Southampton stars at highly inflated prices in the past however, there is no reason to discredit the Saints for charging such a lofty amount for their key man. Just look at what happened to the likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw after they left St.Mary’s last summer though…
A move for another of Arsene Wenger’s reported transfer targets, such as soon to be Champions League finalist – Arturo Vidal, could therefore represent a much better deal for the Gunners as they head into the new campaign.
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