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Let The Bidding For Arshavin Begin

June 20th, 2008 | By: chris | 9 Comments »

It’s only taken one game, of course the UEFA Cup didn’t hurt, and Andrei Arshavin’s stock is shooting through the roof. Previously clubs like Newcastle, Arsenal and Everton were in the hunt, now it’s the big spending likes of Milan and Liverpool in for the Russian catalyst. Could it be bad news for the Dutch?

The past few weeks have seemed to be nothing more than conjecture, but today Dick Advocaat, his coach at Zenit, revealed Arshavin has put in his formal transfer request.

“Andrei has told us that he wishes to change clubs.”

“At present in the way of offers it is quiet.

“The situation may well change after tomorrow’s game against Holland for the national side”.

So starting June 30th, or perhaps before, it’ll be time for those running the big boys to open up the checkbooks and tally up the rubles.

The question now becomes whether or not this will have an immediate impact. I think we’ve seen once or twice that “playing for a contract” phenomenon take performances to a level above. Can’t say Arshavin will pull off one of these, but let’s just say nobody in their right mind would be surprised.

It was clear against Sweden the addition of Arshavin takes this Russian side to another level; as though he’s a shot of creativity into the other ten players on the pitch. Will the added motivation moving from a target of mid-level clubs (minus Arsenal) to being the object of affection for the big boys make a difference against the Netherlands? Maybe there’s an otherworldly performance to be seen tomorrow. Dutch beware.

Tags: Andrea Arshavin, Arsenal, Dick Advocaat, Dutch, Euro 2008 News, Everton, Holland, Liverpool, Milan, Netherlands, Newcastle, Russia, Zenit St. Petersburg

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Comments

By jonkon | June 20th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Chris, this might be a silly question, but what would you think if Roma got both Kewell AND Arshavin. We could replace BOTH of our lazy brazilian wingers in one summer, while only paying for one. If we get the 15 million they’re talking about for mancini, that should cover the cost (can’t be more than 20 million, can he?)

Posted from United States

By jonkon | June 20th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

i wouldn’t give up on taddei just yet, but i can’t see him ever outperforming the russian.

Posted from United States

By Django | June 20th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Beware of Kewell jonkon my friend…his devastating good looks and chiseled physique mask a man possibly made of glass. I was always disappointed that he was hurt so often for Liverpool, considering the form he showed for Leeds and in flashes for the Pool. I’m hoping he’s able to retain full health and add a few more years on his career, he always seemed like he was a good club servant with terrible luck. And the ability to impregnate Liverpudlian women with but a glance.

Posted from United States

By Ian Rose | June 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

I have to agree - any move for Harry Kewell will end in tears.

Posted from United States

By jonkon | June 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

well, thats not a done deal yet, but women in Rome are not the same breed as Liverpulian women. If he spends one season at the olimpico with Italian women, he may realize that the EPL is NOT the best league despite the hype.

Posted from United States

By bunchapooha | June 20th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

*cough* 18 million *cough*

Posted from Netherlands

By bunchapooha | June 20th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

Maybe add a couple after tomorrow.

HOPE NOT THOUGH!

Posted from Netherlands

By russian exile | June 20th, 2008 at 11:21 pm

Okay Arshavin didn’t even have a good game against the Swedes and he got Man of the Match and interest from Milan? O_o

He plays much better on Zenit. Unfortunately a player like Arshavin requires team mates with a real offensive brain. The problem is on the national team he is not with Denisov or Pogregniak but with guys he doesn’t have as good a link with, and Zyrianov seems to have been struggling finding any space.

I wish Kerzhakov was on the squad and wish I knew why Hiddink didn’t include him. He might not like his style, but if they had him for the Greece game, Kerzhakov would have a hat-trick.

As for Arshavin, I personally hate the inequality in modern football but think if he did go to a team packed with potential like Arsenal or Barcelona, they could ignite the sort of magic that brings new fans into the sport. If he goes to a club like Everton or NewCastle, chances are he will not perform to his full-potential due to inadequate team mates, even though I usually support those types of teams. But who knows what they can achieve if you have a team with actually really works.. Arshavin + Owen? Arshavin + Berbatov & Keane?

enough chat/

Posted from United States

By andrew j | June 21st, 2008 at 9:38 am

Arshavin is a young strong creative player, his stock is rising because it should. We will not know how good he can be in Seria A or the Premier until he gets a shot at it.
My thoughts are if Milan and Arsenal and clubs with $ give chances to pre-madonas that never really do much and play like little girls then ARSHAVIN should surely get the chance.
If he scores in a Russia win against Netherlands, concider that contract signed with one of the Top clubs in the world..>we will see.

PS: Don’t get me wrong I am pulling for the Netherlands!

Posted from United States

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