With speculation rife over the Turkish midfielder, why should he reject Arsenal’s advances and join the Brendan Rodgers revolution at Liverpool?
If Nuri Sahin has low self esteem I would be massively surprised because the midfield maestro is wanted by a new club seemingly every day. After rejecting Besiktas this week and continued speculation of the Real Madrid misfit signing a loan deal at Arsenal various other clubs have been mooted as possible destinations for the Turkey international.
But the one that stands out the most in my eyes is the potential deal being brokered between Jose Mourinho and former colleague and friend Brendan Rodgers, which could see the Germany raised 23 year old playing at Anfield instead this upcoming season.
After losing out on Gylfi Sigurdsson and a deal for Joe Allen faltering; Rodgers is after a suitable midfield player for his philosophy of play.
Sahin is naturally gifted, making his debut at 16, becoming the youngest player to play in the Bundesliga. He then went on to become the league’s youngest goalscorer. A loan spell at Feyenoord rejuvenated a stuttering start to his career and he went on to become Bundesliga player of the season in 2011, before his ill-fated switch to the Spanish capital.
Why would Sahin sign for Liverpool over Arsenal?
Firstly, if you look at his style of play he is distinguishably suited to the Brendan Rodgers philosophy. Nuri can sit deep with his tenacious and robust defensive attitude delicately balanced with his magnificent passing ability and composure on the ball. His attributes suit the Rodgers ilk just right.
Then there is the idea of first team football. He would more likely get first team football at Anfield. If fit there is no doubt he is a better player than Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam or Jay Spearing in a likely 3 man midfield with Gerrard and Lucas.
At Arsenal, competition will be significantly more fierce; with Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Wilshere, Diaby, Coquelin, Lansbury and Frimpong in midfield not to mention Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla’s ability to play both central midfield and on the flanks it is hard to see why Arsenal need Sahin in the first place.
However with Rosicky, Diaby and Wilshere severely injury prone and Alex Song’s future seemingly uncertain it appears Sahin is a decent insurance deal for Wenger.
But why would Sahin want to go out on loan if he is not going to be an integral part of the first team. Recent ‘panic buys’ from Wenger such as Andre Santos, Park Chu-Young and Sebastian Squillaci have barely played a game and Sahin may fear a similar fate.
Brendan Rodgers will want to involve the Turkish international as a first team member of that I am sure, with his playing characteristics perfectly suited for the Brendan Rodgers game and from Real Madrid’s perspective it is also the preferred deal.
Mourinho’s friendship with Rodgers increases the likelihood of any deal, as Madrid may want to keep the 23 year old, especially if he impresses on loan, as a future replacement for Xabi Alonso. This type of deal is more likely with the friendly Brendan then Arsene Wenger, who never saw eye to eye with the ‘Special One’. Madrid also know Sahin will get more football at Anfield, then he will as a panic purchase by Arsenal ‘just in case’ other players are unfit.
In my eyes this one is a no-brainer, Nuri Sahin should move to Liverpool.
Where do you think Nuri Sahin should move on loan to this season?
image: © peterfuchs
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