Sunday, August 11, 2013

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Manchester United and Chelsea target and Sevilla ace Geoffrey Kondogbia

 http://allarsenal.com/arsenalrumours/arsenal-in-transfer-battle-with-manchester-united-and-chelsea-for-geoffrey-kondogbia/

Arsenal in transfer battle with Manchester United and Chelsea for Geoffrey Kondogbia

 Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Manchester United and Chelsea target and Sevilla ace Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to reports in Metro.

The Sevilla ace has been attracting the attention of a number of top European clubs following a successful season, on a personal note, in La Liga. Chelsea and United were thought to be leading the battle for the Frenchman, but now Arsenal have entered the fight.
According to reports in Europe, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is planning on beating his rivals to the punch by meeting the £8.5million release clause. Even though premier league clubs are interested but Arsenal’s biggest rivals for the 20-year-old’s signing will come from Spain, with Real Madrid also known to hold an interest in the player.

Kondogbia made 31 appearances for Sevilla in La Liga last season. He is on the on the verge of a full international call-up after impressing France coach Didier Deschamps. Kondogbia has a contract at Sevilla until 2017 having only joined the club from Lens last season, but Los Rojiblancos seem resigned to seeing the midfielder depart this summer if someone meets his release clause of£8.5 m.
The Frenchman has a simple passing game. 60.8% of his passes are played forward and 80% of his long ball have been accurate, showing his potential to be a reliable midfielder passer. Kondogbia posses a strong areal ability, not surprising considering he is 6 ft 3 in,and has won more than half of his headers, making him a rock in the center of midfield.
Geoffrey is a powerful midfielder who, in a box-to-box position, has the leeway to take long strides forward, similar to Diaby. Kondogbia is someone who likes to dribble with the ball at his feet, but in an effective manner, when playing in a slightly advanced position. But, when he plays as a defensive-midfielder, he’ll just sit there, break up the play and pass the ball to the nearest team-mate. His movement and ability to read the game are his two best attributes. The way he reads the game, at such a young age, is exquisite.
I personally believe we’ve given up on Fellaini because the overall payment for both his fee and wages is far too much for someone who doesn’t really fit the system we have in place. I feel Wenger would much prefer to get the cheaper option and spend the extra money on other positions.
I don’t tend to hype up young players that much, but Kondogbia really is the real deal. £8.5 m is a steal, in my opinion, but he’s certainly proving worth the outlay already in his short career, and an improvement on the defensive side of midfield now could have a big impact on Arsenal’s attack next season.

 


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