Terrace Talk

The recent articles about Aaron Ramsey were pointing to United as favorites for signing him. Last week, Cardiff manager Dave Jones spoke in favor of United, saying that a transfer to United would be a perfect foundation for a bright future

“United are the major force in European football, if not the best club in the world, and with the squad of players they have that domination is set to continue for some time to come. I believe Aaron can go there and play a valuable part in that in the future.”

Despite that, Cardiff City’s official site announced today that Ramsey has chosen to transfer to the Emirates Stadium and that the club will focus on completing the deal.

“Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey’s preferred destination this summer is at Emirates Stadium with Arsenal”

Why would he do that? The first thought that went through my mind was that he doesn’t want to go back to Cardiff. In the contract United offered Ramsey is a clause, which allowed Cardiff City to keep the young lad for another season, on loan. This way Cardiff would have a quality player, only having to pay the wages and receiving a cash infusion from United.

In my opinion, Ramsey did not like this arrangement and chose Arsenal, who did not include the option for him to return to his current club. I guess he was promised plenty of playing time in the first team, or at least the option.

Another reason for him to chose Arsenal would be the fact that the competition for a place in the first XI would be tougher at Old Trafford, than at the Emirates Stadium. At United, Aaron would have had to compete with established players like Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Park Ji-Sung and with youngsters Anderson and Nani.

At Arsenal he has a better chance of making the first team , and so the lad is looking to make an immediate impact on his new team. A very good example, in this case, would be Theo Walcott. Though he’s been at the club for a long time (almost three seasons) he has made only 39 appearances last season of Arsenal’s 58 matches - 67% of possible playing time. He has made 11 starts out of 38 Premiership fixtures. Meanwhile Nani, in his first season, played in 40 of United’s 56 matches - 71% of possible playing time. So, I guess he should have thought better.

We lost the chance to sign a great talent, which could have become a wonderful player under the guidance on Sir Alex Ferguson, and his successor. I’m not going to cry over this missed chance, because I’m sure we’ll be able to find other talents, but I feel sorry for the Ramsey that he would not experience being a red. Wenger has the ability of spotting young talent as does Ferguson, and both have the ability to turn them into great players, but he’ll never be part of the biggest team in England.