Gelson Martins: Arsenal manager Unai Emery is the right man to get the talented winger back on track
Portuguese winger Gelson Martins hasnt delivered on the big expectations his arrival at Atltico Madrid brought, but Unai Emerys history of getting wayward players back on track suggests a move to Arsenal could yield positive results.As personal terms and negotiations with Chelsea for lvaro Morata are wrapped up, Atltico Madrid are frantically looking to offload the couple of players they can spare from their stretched squad to clear up cash from a wage bill that leaves no room to manoeuvre.
4Atletico Madrid star Gelson Martins in actionOne of the two big candidates to move is 23-year-old Martinsand it was no coincidence he, along with fellow exit-bound attacker Nikola Kalinic, dropped out of the matchday squad to play Huesca at the weekend, suffering conveniently timed niggles and complaints.Martins has found out the hard way that Diego Simeone can be exceptionally ruthless when a player fails to adapt to his style.Far more experienced and decorated forwards like Mario Manduki discovered as much early on in previous seasons, so Atletis willingness to let go of their summer signing in all likelihood temporarily shouldnt be seen as any exaggeratedly great slight on the former Sporting mans abilities. Rather, Simeone simply has to realistically face the pressure of making it to a Champions League final at his home stadium, as well as keeping pace with Barcelona in La Liga, and cant afford to carry the growing pains of a player new to the country when a ready made La Liga forward like Morata is available.That doesnt change the fanfare with which Martins arrival on a free transfer last summer was greeted.Bringing in a player who at 23 already had 140 games for Sporting under his belt (including double figures worth in Europe), not to mention one seen as a star of the future for the cost of zero was considered a major coup especially when the likes of Arsenal were also sniffing around.In the months since, Martins has played sporadically, either on the wing or as a secondary forward, but has struggled to find his place in Simeones defence-first style that has a habit of stifling all but the most patient of attackers.
4Ateltico boss Diego Simeone hasn’t quite got the best from Martins in LaLiga.A loan move to Arsenal, where he would be coached by the still demanding but far more creatively-minded Emery, could well be the pick-me-up the Portugal international needs. Particularly when Emery has a habit of taking players going through difficult moments then turning them around with his combination of infectious passion and pinpoint-accurate analysis of how they can improve their game.Ever Banega found out as much at Sevilla. The Basque coach turned the midfielder around dramatically, taking him from someone cast aside as a wasted talent to the finished article as a playmaker with as sharp an eye for a killer pass as anyone in Spain.It was a similar story for Adil Rami, who Valencia couldnt wait to get rid of, but Sevilla converted into a trophy-winning rock at the back. Fellow Europa League winner Nico Parejas story followed a similar trend.Could Martins be the next to benefit from the Emery magic?
4Arsenal manager Unai Emery could turn things around for Martins.Considering Arsenal have been attempting to bring the player to the Emirates since last summer, there is no doubt their coach sees potential to be tapped.The Gunners are in the market for a winger, and with the goal of competing in multiple competitions meaning the games will come thick and fast in the coming months, regular match time will be on offer in his favoured forward positions to an extent that wasnt possible in Madrid.It is easy to see how Martins combination of pace and dribbling ability could fit in well in the end-to-end world of the Premier League, too. And though he isnt likely to be asked for the same extreme defensive commitment as is demanded by Simeone, the Portuguese is not a slacker, owing to his many formative years spent playing at full-back. Even Cholo has praised him for being generous this season.
4Martins is capable of doing his defensive duties as well as attacking.While Atleti are expected to favour a loan over a straight sale, the desperation of their situation may leave some room for any interested parties to manoeuvre.The Spaniards want the Morata deal tied up as soon as possible. in order to earn their new striker as much playing time as possible before the Champions League returns.In a market where attacking talent is king, Arsenal could certainly do worse than to seize the unique opportunity, and Gelson isnt likely to get a better option than the Emirates and Emery either.
BRENDAN RODGERS blasted the Motherwell players for their controversial goal at Celtic Park.The Hoops had put the ball out of play to allow Ryan Christie to receive treatment before they were
Scottish Premiership as it happened - Live - BBC Sport
Luis Suarez apologised for the manner of Barcelona's Champions League exit and insists the players are ready to face the "bullets" now heading for them after the failure. For the second successive season the Catalan side threw away a three-goal first-leg lead: last campaign in the quarter
Barcelona news: 'We looked like a youth team' - Luis Suarez
Lille 5-1 PSG: Champions in waiting stunned by five-star LOSC
Haris Belkebla axed from Algeria's Africa Cup of Nations squad… for flashing his bum on Fortnite live stream; Ed Woodward 'to remain in charge of Manchester United's transfers' as sporting director appointment scrapped; Chris Kamara joins David Beckham, Vinnie Jones and Pele in swapping the pitch for the screen
Algeria's Haris Belkebla Kicked Out Of AFCON Squad After
Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners set to activate clause to
Declan Rice has issued an apology for remarks made on social media which appeared to show support for the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The West Ham star, who has controversially switched his international allegiance from the Republic to Ireland to England, used the phrase 'Up the RA' at least three times in posts on…
Declan Rice: West Ham and England youngster apologises for
Barcelona vs Liverpool: How Virgil van Dijk saved Celtic from further embarrassment in the 6-1 hammering at the Nou Camp Joe Ledley, the Dutchman's former Hoops team-mate, insists it would've been
~ Barcelona vs Liverpool: How Virgil van Dijk saved Celtic
Arrizabalaga showed how little power managers and referees have over proceedings, and how silly you can look when you defy the spirit of the game. Kepa had gone down twice with injuries in extra-time, and Caballero has a good reputation against penalties. Last year he stopped three against
Chris Sutton warns Maurizio Sarri not to start Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chris Sutton blasts Craig Bellamy over 'ill-informed' comments about Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers. Former Hoops striker launches scathing attack over 'cheap shot at Scottish football' and tells ex
Joleon Lescott Injury - Joleon Lescott Net Worth
Manchester United lead Chelsea in transfer race for Crystal Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka, say the bookies Premier League heavyweights are going toe-to-toe to sign the Eagles' young fullback By
Man Utd and Chelsea set to fight it out for Wan-Bissaka, the
Trippier had a nightmare against Chelsea by scoring a terrible own goal. many football fans considered Tottenham to be well and truly in a three-horse title race. Kieran Trippier Tottenham
Chelsea fans in stitches after watching Willian tunnel walk
Foyth & Heung min son 2 Red Card Tottenham vs Bournemouth in 5 min. Foyth & Heung min son 2 Red Card Tottenham vs Bournemouth in 5 min Tottenham vs Ajax 0-1 Post Match Analysis Arsene Wenger
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham: 'Lerma is an embarrassment
0 Comments