Arsenal might have been handed a massive transfer boost for the summer, and strangely enough they could have a former Spurs player to thank!
That’s because Nico Claesen has urged young, yet highly-rated midfielder Youri Tielemans to set his sights on the Gunners when Europe’s heavyweights come knocking.
During an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws (transcribed by London Evening Standard), Claesen went on to suggest the Premier League is where the wonderkid belongs.
The 19-year-old has racked up 168 appearances at Anderlecht, suggesting he’s already capable of playing well above his age at the highest level of football.
Tielemans can be compared to Francis Coquelin when looking at his position, a very central player who likes to get forward occasionally, but isn’t afraid to get stuck in.
He’s already picked up 11 goals and seven assists in 25 games for the Jupiler Pro League, so this isn’t just a player that is impressive when racing past the opposition.
And as the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham are reported to have watched the youngster in action, ex-Spurs striker Claesen believes he should aim for the red part of London:
I rather think a club like Arsenal, who haven’t won many titles in recent years, but have a great look.
Furthermore, the Gunners play in a way that Tielemans must, with a lot of technique and opportunities for the youngster.
Can he compete? At Anderlecht, everything has always been relatively easy for him. In England he must start from scratch and learn to fight.
The speculation surrounding Arsenal’s future in midfield couldn’t be under more scrutiny at the moment, with so many situations yet to be decided as we enter the final third of the season.
Francis Coquelin is being ushered out by the fans, Aaron Ramsey isn’t good enough and Jack Wilshere might not be coming back to the club he was made in…
Tielemans arrival could spark a whole new era of midfield players, with Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka living up the hype that surrounded their arrivals.
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