Who would be a football club’s technical director? In particular, Arsenal’s?
Edu Gaspar is in the hot seat for Arsenal and has been since 2019, although the bulk of his work has stepped up since 2020 after Head of Football Raul Sanllehi moved on. The Brazilian has been tasked with drastically correcting the transfer and squad-building mistakes of the past.
One of the key areas has been trying to address the sales department. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has played a huge role in elevating the challenge of trying to sell players with very few suitors from a pool of players signed prior to his appointment.
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Mistakes have been made for all to see. However, the mutual termination of contracts to reduce the wage bill has been a bitter pill to swallow for many, especially when the calibre of players includes the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
This summer, again, Arsenal have a host of surplus players that need to be shifted. The difference is now two years on from the pandemic, there is more of an expectation to get reasonable fees for players.
The list contains the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari, Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alex Runarsson, Lucas Torreira and Reiss Nelson. Some left on loan last season with the hope of helping a potential move this summer.
Speaking after the September 2021 window Edu explained why he decided to send certain players on loan rather than selling them. Torreira, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles, Mari, Nelson and Runarsson all left for short-term deals in either the summer or the following January.
"Sometimes you have to change a little bit of the direction. When you have some ideas to sell a player, but it is not possible and then you have to create an opportunity to sell in the future,” Edu said.
"Then you loan the player and see, the way we did with Joe Willock. That is a good example for us, he went on loan, played and then the market saw a bit more and came to buy. Let's see, maybe the next window we may be in a better position in terms of selling, but right now that is our reality."
However, so far, the club have not been in a better position as a result. In fact, there has been very little noise about exits for the group of surplus talent. Ironically, Bernd Leno, who was with the side last season, looks the closest.
However, here is where Edu runs into another challenge. Arsenal have reportedly rejected a bid in the region of £10 million from Fulham as the club value the German international closer to £15 million according to CBS Sports.
Considering Leno’s Premier League and international experience, there is little reason why this valuation is unfair. The one year left remaining on his deal gives clubs a strong position to negotiate, however.
Fulham are instead reportedly looking to potentially sign Sergio Rico on loan. The move could cost Arsenal upwards of £10m because Edu didn’t want to buckle.
Should Leno stay, he could see out his final year and leave for nothing. It is easy to imagine Edu facing criticism and questions as to why he didn’t agree to the initial Fulham offer.
Yet at the same time selling under what the player is worth in the market is equally open to criticism. It is about finding that balance and Edu’s reputation is on the line this summer for incomings and outgoings.
So, I ask again, who would be a football club’s technical director? Not me.
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