Going Nowhere, That's Our Fran!
Oct 16th, 2007 by 'holic
Just time for a brief comment this evening. Not so much a comment as a series of links really. Let me quote the opening paragraph from Fran Merida’s profile on Arsenal.com.
‘A creative, highly technical central or left-sided midfielder, Fran made a huge impact following his arrival at Arsenal in the summer of 2006.’
Then there was this, also from Arsenal.com.
“The midfielder has already caught the eye with some instrumental displays for both the Under-18s and the Reserves and puts his form down to studying Fabregas’ every move.”
I have heard lots of good things from more than one person close to the club, and I am looking forward to seeing more of this lad after Arsene Wenger introduced him against Newcastle in the Carling Cup just three weeks ago.
So imagine my confusion when confronted by the news that Merida will be allowed to depart the Grove, according to the People.
‘Arsenal are ready to off-load Spanish midfield schemer Fran Merida – just after being told to pay £2.1million for him.’
A phone call to a good friend is in order. ‘Tell me it ain’t so’, or words to that effect, are my opening gambit. If there is any truth in the story this guy should know. The whole thing is a surprise to him. Certainly Arsenal have not been found guilty of anything. This is a ruling against the Merida family.
I’m further encouraged by the Times. ‘ Fran Merida models himself on Fabregas, but his journey to the Emirates Stadium will cost him up to £2.2 million after a Spanish civil court ruled that he had broken an agreement he had signed with Barcelona. Arsenal will foot the bill on behalf of the 17-year-old central midfield playmaker, which could be a small price to pay.’
I believe a legal challenge to the Spanish court’s ruling is expected. An outcome favourable to the Merida family is anticipated, but regardless of that outcome Arsenal will underwrite whatever penalty is decreed.
Everything tells me that Fran is as big a prospect as he was a week ago. The source of the People story is a mystery. Tellingly, no name is attached to the article. It’s just another mischievous piece of dubious origin in international week.
Yawn.
8 Responses to “Going Nowhere, That's Our Fran!”
surely just a load of meaningless paper talk. Fran’s a great prospect, really can’t see him being bombed out. This tosh about him being sold as he lacks pace – that same lack of pace doesnt seem to have inhibited Cesc’s career, does it? It didn’t inhibit bergkamp’s career.
If you have a quick enough footballing brain, then you can think one step ahead of your opponents and better and beat them that way.
btw, good to see you on newsnow, monsieur!!!
»»Arsene Knows««
Thanks Wingers. Made NewsNow five months later than necessary courtesy of the old spam filter. Technology and ‘holics don’t mix, you know!
🙂
That ‘people’ story is the biggest load of tripe I’ve ever seen – Fran would not have been on the bench against Newcastle if he was on his way out. The only reason he didn’t get on earlier was because we left it so late to score that night. I expect to see this boy at Arsenal for a long time to come and I think the appearance of that article on .com was designed to remind everyone that he is still an Arsenal player. It was also interesting to see the other featured players on the home page are Cesc and Gilberto, who have also been the subject of media speculation this week.
Could do with a few more of your sort appearing on newsnow, sir – writing the good stuff! And far less of the eatsleepshitefootballs and tribalbullshits of this world…
»»Arsene Knows««
I don’t expect Merida to leave, but there is no doubt that he’s the most over-rated player never to pull on a first-team shirt.
I’ve watched him between 10-15 times for the reserves / youth, and he’s never once looked to me like a player who’ll step up and make a similar impact to someone like Cesc.
There is a site that keeps track of the accuracy of newspaper transfer rumours http://www.footballtransferleague.co.uk/newspaper_statistics.aspx
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the People is bottom of that league !
wow Merida over-rated???dont think so,he wouldnt have made the bench if wenger didnt feel he could make the grade jus as Kieran Gibbs did for the Emirates cup,he may not have impressed u that much but u gotta trust in Le Prof he always delivers and if he has so much confidence in him then um sure we will see the best of Fran Merida
Merida is so over rated he made the winning goal when Spain under 17’s won the Euro trophy and made a huge contribution to Spain ending up as runners up in the under 17’s World cup. His problem is that Cesc is the benchmark by which all young players are judged, but Cesc is a one-off. Merida has been here for a year so it is very early days, he needs to be given a chance to become his own player. Fortunately, Arsene will not ship him out before giving him that chance.