Rio Ferdinand, speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast in November, said what we were all thinking about Leandro Trossard. This was a footballer with more strings than a Jimi Hendrix gig; a relentless work ethic, remarkable versatility, speed and skill.
But if there was one part of Trossard’s game that needed to be improved, it was arguably the most important part of all. During his first 100 Premier League appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion, the Belgium international scored 18 goals. A respectable tally, yes, but still lower than you’d expect from a forward plying his trade in a free-flowing, forward-thinking Brighton team who created (and squandered) chances by the bucketload.
Between 2019 and the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Trossard’s average conversation rate stood at 10.2 per cent.
Leandro Trossard in the form of his Premier League career
“The best part of his game is being creative. I think the creative and the approach play in his game is unreal,” former Manchester United defender Ferdinand said. “The only thing I was asking for was a bit more end product. And he’s actually doing that now.”
He certainly is.
With seven goals in 16 Premier League games this season alone – including a hat-trick against Liverpool – Trossard is already just one shy of matching his tally from the whole of 2021/22. His conversation rate, meanwhile, has improved dramatically; now standing at a highly impressive 18.4 per cent (Soccerment).
If there were concerns about Trossard’s end product before, then he’s addressing them in the most efficient, emphatic way possible. And it’s surely no coincidence that Arsenal have chosen this very moment to renew their interest in a player who first caught their eye before he left Genk for Brighton back in 2019, The Guardian reporting that talks are now at an advanced stage.
“(Former Brighton boss Graham) Potter came to Brussels for Leandro, with an extensive Power Point presentation to convince him. He absolutely wanted him,” recalls Josy Comhair, Trossard’s agent (HUMO).
“There were other options. At the same time, I had several conversations with Arsenal. They came to Belgium four times. Most players would have chosen Arsenal. But what would have happened if Leandro didn’t get to play? Then there is only one way out; to take a step back. People don’t realise what that does in someone’s head.
“I know Leandro. Bench him three times and he goes wild. So, we said: ‘if he does well at Brighton, he can take a step forward’.”
Arsenal in talks to sign Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion
That ‘step forward’ appears to be rapidly approaching. According to Goal, a deal between Brighton and Arsenal could set the Gunners back just £20 million, with Trossard desperate to say his goodbyes before the month is out.
At 28, Trossard is at the peak of his powers, in some of the best form of his career, and would arrive at the Emirates capable of making an immediate impact in the midst of a Premier League title charge. Trossard’s £20 million fee looks even more enticing when you consider that Mykhaylo Mudryk – Arsenal’s top January target – joined Chelsea for some £70 million move, despite scoring just 12 career goals before putting pen to paper at Stamford Bridge.
Would Arsenal have come calling for Trossard without Brighton’s number 11 taking his game to a whole new level over the last six months or so? Maybe, maybe not. But the fact is that, if Trossard is swigging champagne on the Emirates turf in May, his story is a reminder as to what can be achieved with a few more hours on the training ground, a boost in confidence, and a well-timed purple patch.
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