By David Lee Wheatley
Rumours abound of Real Madrid's imminent intentions to sell influential wing-man Angel Di Maria, with Paris Saint-Germain currently favourites to secure his signature alongside Manchester United who're also said to be sniffing around. However, after the former Benfica star shrugged off similarly intense speculation last summer to embark upon a fabulously successful season, could the sanctioning of such a transfer represent the first major mistake by head coach Carlo Ancelotti since his arrival at the Bernabeu?
It was reported widely that an €80m offer from the ambitious Parisian club had been accepted by the Spanish giants just two days ago, but proceedings have stalled since amid strong interest from United boss Louis van Gaal. Furthermore, Ancelotti has been giving mixed messages to the media over the course of a few weeks now, thus leaving Di Maria's future completely up in the air.
Reading between the lines, it would appear that Real's recent splurge on outstanding World Cup performers James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos for a combined total of €105m has forced the club's hierarchy into looking at feasible ways of recouping a large proportion of that eye-watering outlay. Hence why they seem so utterly determined to offload Sami Khedira to either Arsenal or Chelsea in alliance with their apparent willingness to find a solution for the release of Di Maria. However, Italian tactician Ancelotti is reluctant to part with a player who delivered a hugely significant amount of goal assists for his side throughout the last campaign and could soon find himself at loggerheads with those who appointed him over this thorny issue.
Even if Real Madrid do possess an embarrassment of riches to call upon in terms of attacking talent, in comparison with Di Maria none can boast as impressive a record when it comes to assists in La Liga during 2013/14. The sought-after star created 17 goals for his team-mates, while Gareth Bale managed 12 and Ballon d'Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo helped his colleagues to 10 strikes in league action overall. Not only that, but the Argentine is incredibly versatile in the sense that he can comfortably play anywhere across midfield, plus he is incredibly hard working. He sacrifices himself for the good of the team, as opposed to chasing personal glory and that is a rare commodity to locate in the modern day footballer.
The 26-year-old had one foot out of door twelve months back, only to quickly prove himself to the new manager and cement a regular place in the starting line-up amongst a team of Galacticos. That consistent form ensured his place in the Argentina squad for the World Cup where he helped his country reach the final in Brazil, as they ultimately fell just short of lifting the trophy due to a narrow defeat against Germany in Rio. It also alerted several big guns of European football to exactly what kind of contribution the unselfish, tireless Argentine could possibly give to their teams should any deal be possible.
Yes, Ancelotti can select from a plethora of extremely high calibre options with or without Di Maria's presence in his squad, but can he guarantee that any of those potential alternatives will be able to provide the same standard of commitment in conjunction with their abundant natural ability as he? Di Maria boasts a level of craft, guile and constant threat when in possession that many of his peers simply don't offer.
Should Los Blancos decide to part ways with the winger, then it'll be up to the remaining members of the side to shoulder the burden of creating chances for forwards Benzema and Ronaldo in particular. It'll be no easy task to supplant the Rosario-born magician in the line-up and match his superb showing of last season.
He is a wonderful player entering the prime of his career and Ancelotti could be left to rue any action which allows Di Maria an opportunity of moving on to pastures new before the end of August. He may not be the one who eventually pulls the trigger, but he will indeed be the man held solely responsible for any adverse effect such a sale has on the effectiveness of the team in their relentless pursuit of domestic and continental glory next term.
Twitter: @davewh1980
No comments:
Post a Comment