Chilean star-man Alexis Sanchez is a wanted man and I can see what all the fuss is about. Liverpool and Arsenal have been battling it out with Juventus for the Barcelona forwards signature. If one of the English Premier League (EPL) teams gets their man, then I believe they’ll be getting a player that could light up the Premier League next season.

The twenty-five year old would be ideally suited to both Arsenal and Liverpool. Although at this time the Emirates looks to be the most likely destination.

Although he can slot in on either flank, which would mean that he could play up top with another striker (Giroud or Sturridge), he would be best suited through the centre. His versatility and fluidity in the forward areas would be great for either Liverpool or Arsenal as he’d fit in easily with those clubs footballing philosophies.

Last term in La Liga, he managed to grab nineteen goals in twenty seven starts plus he was also credited with ten assists. Now who would argue with those stats?

The player should also join his new team, hungry and determined to prove himself as a top star. At Barcelona, he always played second fiddle to Lionel Messi and then third fiddle when Neymar arrived at the Camp Nou. Sanchez never let himself or Barca down when he played but never seemed to get the plaudits he deserved or the attention that other Barca stars received. Now is the time for Alexis to prove that he is more than capable of being the true star of a big club.

I’m not a Johnny come lately to the Sanchez party. Yes he had an fantastic World Cup with Chile, scoring two and creating another in the four games  in Brazil. But I remember the Alexis Sanchez from 2009-10 at Udinese. Young, raw and exciting. He would get the ball and attack the Serie A defences. Then he would turn up to the 2010 World Cup and announce to the world that he was ready for the big stage, grabbing three goals. At Udinese he’d often play as a creative number ten, who would be given a lot of freedom on the park.

I loved watching his performances whilst he was at Udinese. He was such a star and could change games with his dynamic running, incisive passing and his instinctive finishing. I was obviously not the only one to have noticed his qualities as Barca then bought him for £25m.

Right from the start I was against the Chilean maestro joining the Catalan giants. I sensed he would be under-appreciated and not get too many chances to shine in the middle. The way in which Barcelona have treated him this summer, almost pushing him out the door, proves they didn’t really need the skilful attacker.

For Liverpool, they’d be getting a player, who I believe could take over from Luis Suarez. His skills and forceful runs, plus his keen eye for an assist as well as a goal would remind the Anfield crowd of their former Uruguayan hero. I think he actually offers more. Then there is the fact that he won’t offer the same toxic issues that Suarez has brought to Liverpool.

At Arsenal, they’d be getting a number nine that has dramatic pace that can get in behind defences. His great runs would be a delight for Mesut Ozil who would supply him with so many cute through balls.

It looks like Sanchez himself might prefer a move to the ‘Gunners’ over Liverpool. I’d imagine Arsenal’s style, the fact that they have such a consistent run in the Champions League and Arsene Wenger would be big pluses for the hitman. Plus lets face it London is a huge draw for anyone. But at Liverpool he’d be virtually guaranteed hero status on his arrival.

Both should be very wary of Juventus. They are a huge European club and the player knows the Italian game well. But they’d need to move quickly to steal a march on the English sides and also need to offer him top money.

But if either EPL side can complete the purchase of Alexis Sanchez, then they’d be getting a mix of Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero and I seriously believe and hope he’d have the same impact in terms of goals! He’ll be worth it, even at £32m.

Posted on July 8th, 2014 by scott
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