5 – Clément Grenier – Attacking Midfielder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4P8EGtnEgU
Now that the necessities are out-of-the-way, let’s take a look at a luxury.
Clément Grenier currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais, and had his breakout season in their 2012/13 campaign. At only 23 years of age, the Frenchman is still learning his trade, and is the kind of player Arsene Wenger loves to mould into a superstar.
His playing style is quite similar to that of Samir Nasri’s – albeit with a preference for passing his way past the opposition rather than dribbling around them. He prefers to play as an attacking midfielder, but can also fill in as a winger.
Despite his age, Clément would be able to hold his own in the current Arsenal first team. The Frenchman loves to get involved in intricate build-up play. He always wants to take that extra touch or complete that additional pass – anything that allows his side to walk the ball into the back of the net.
It is the sort of mindset that bodes well with Arsene Wenger – a manager who demands his side aim to play the most attractive football on the planet.
He would cost us somewhere in the region of £15 million and would be an excellent replacement for the outstanding Tomáš Rosický – who at the age of 33, isn’t too far away from hanging up his boots.
Although more deprived positions must take priority when allocating this summer’s transfer budget, Grenier wouldn’t be a bad buy if we had any spare cash once our other deals have been completed. He’s one for the future – and possibly the winter transfer window if we pick up any nasty injuries at the start of our 2014/15 campaign.
Which player would you like to see arrive from Ligue 1? Let us know below.