The rumors surrounding Rubin left-back Cristian Ansaldi need a second grain of salt.
Last week the news of a potential Cristian Ansaldi move ignited, with a €5 million price reported. If you felt the low price hinted at the rumor being frivolous, know today that the all-Russian Premier League left-back has affirmed your instincts.
Reports in numerous places (like this one) have Ansaldi going on record denying a link to Manchester City. While there are other reports perpetuating the link, the player’s words have him loser to Kazan than Manchester.
Further diminishing the link, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is playing down the connection. Mancini is a man who sent a lot of time in Russia prior to his appointment in Manchester. He also has a need for a left back, with Wayne Bridge and Sylvinho being his best options. However, his interest is still tepid at best.
There are a number of reasons to be skeptical of these rumors.
As mentioned above, the price. It’s too low. A 23-year-old left back who is good both defensively and going forward is worth much more than €5 million. Rubin knows this.
Second, England has restrictions on who can get work permits, and one of the most troublesome restrictions for internationals is national team appearances. Ansaldi just got his first cap from Argentina but it is unclear how many he will get going forward. He was not called in for Argentina’s more recent friendly.
Finally, Rubin is still alive in Europe and will be in Champions League next season. While they could still sell Ansaldi, they won’t do it at a bargain rate.
I don’t think moving to Manchester City would represent much sense from a playing point of view. Mancini has been filling the position with Garrido; a Spaniard who plays with an element of caution given that the team-mate in front of him (City play a 4-2-3-1) is Craig Bellamy. Bellamy’s replacement late on in games is Robinho – therefore, tracking can be something of an issue for Manchester’s blue team.
Although Gareth Barry began life as a left-back and has filled the hole during Sylvinho and Bridge forays forward, this isn’t a solution that can be utilized all game given that City’s centre of defence needs as much protection from the ‘2′ as it can.
Ultimately, for Ansaldi to truly flourish, he needs to be playing in a side – even Rubin! – that pairs him with a player who understands the need to get back and muck in.
Thanks for the comment, Martyn. I’ve been really enjoying your contributions to the blog.
I suppose I just disagree with your first sentence, presence.
First, Ansaldi is much better than Garrido, Sylvinho, or Bridge. Just my opinion.
Regarding the “element of caution” note, if you don’t have back that can get forward, you’re really limiting yourself. Once of the things that distinguishes the big three from the other teams in England: Cole, Bosingwa, Evra, Sagna, Clichy.
However, just because somebody can get forward doesn’t mean they will always wants to. One of the things that you hear people say about Ansaldi is that he doesn’t get forward enough for a guy who can also play in midfield. I always disagree with that because I don’t know what enough is. That seems like a measurement that needs to be made in the context of a tactic system. Does Rubin really want Ansaldi getting forward more?
But Ansaldi has shown me that he can play with that “element of caution” that you prescribed to Garrido. I don’t think their shape would be sacrificed for him at all.
But on the whole, I think “Garrido/Sylvinho/Barry” sounds more like a question than a solution.
Alas, I think I was misinterpreted. Ansaldi is most certainly better than the left-sided trio currently available to Mancini! I meant the move represented little sense tactically at the time being.
While it’s apparent that Mancini is a manager more than willing to use two gung-ho full-backs given his deployment of Maxwell and Maicon at Inter, until he can find a system to accommodate the wealth of tools at his disposal then I believe he’ll continue to stick with Garrido’s shy-ish game-style.
Therefore, from a personal point of view (Ansaldi’s, not mine), the move wouldn’t suit him as he’ll be asked to restrict his bursts until the team plays with a cohesion allowing all the outfield 10 turns to explode. Ansaldi’s better off at a club where he’s appreciated for the either/or option he provides on the left.
Completely agree, Martin. Absolutely, 100% agree.
I think Ansaldi has a couple of better fits that pop out at me.
The first is Roma. I think that they could use help at the position. Ansaldi would be a good fit for the league. I’m not 100% sold that Ranieri would get the most out of him, but I think it would work, and the style Ranieri is currently employing would be fine.
The second one – to me – could be Real Madrid. Los Blancos have a strong Argentine continent, a slight need at LB (although Arbeloa is fine, he could go back to filling in at spots where needed), and they are one of the few clubs that could justify an eight figure expenditure on a LB.
Ansaldi is in this weird place because he’s a LB. He is worth that kind of money, but most building teams can’t afford to pay that money for a LB because they have other needs. Most established teams that can? They already have LBs!
And Martyn: You’ve been a great addition to the site. If you ever wanted an account with which you could write, please let me know.
[...] social life; continued seasonal shenanigans; interest in the Italian game; vastly developing interest in the Russian game), I was grateful to catch-up with the side on the pitch. While an unforced hiatus hasn’t [...]
Ach, sorry guys, I don’t know how or why that link came up? I had no intention of spamming the site! I logged on the website and there it was…
Ansaldi at Roma? Hmm. They’d have to sacrifice the Riise shot/set-piece weapon – something I’d see Ranieri loath to do – but given that he tends to plump for the infield-drifting Vucinic on the left midfield (in a 4-4-2 or the sometimes flirted with 4-2-3-1), Ansaldi’s width would be a great addition. They’re less blessed on the left side though overall – compared to Taddei, Menez, Perrotta, Cicinho (maybe for not much longer) on the right.
Good point about most teams already having the left-back position filled, by the by.
And I’d definitely be interested in contributing to the site in any way possible! Perhaps once the season draws closer or the European ties come about I’ll send you some stuff to have a look at? Even if that idea doesn’t bear fruit, I’m more than happy to continue consuming the current great content!
Good point on Riise’s set pice acumen. They have Totti for direct on goal and De Rossi can provide service from set pieces, but that’s my judgment. You wisely point out the Ranieri – not Farley – coaches Roma.
Martyn: I’ve followed http://cardiff.theoffsides.com/ every since you started coming to this site, and your work there speaks for itself. I picked the Bluebirds to gain promotion this year, so I’m following them for no other reason than pride, though those two goal scorers give neutrals other reasons to watch.
I suppose it’s difficult not to be intrigued by Swansea and Cardiff meeting in the playoff, though. Wow, this season’s moving fast.
Oh, my point: I don’t need you to send me anything. I’ve got keys made for you, should you want to take the car for a drive.
I’ll leave it up to Martyn and Richard—both clearly more qualified to speculate on such things—to point out the stupidity of my own flight of fancy. Nevertheless . . .
Unless Manchester City really comes through with an offer Rubin can’t refuse, I don’t see Ansaldi going anywhere until the end of the summer at the earliest. When you look into the situation at clubs who could actually afford him—and I’ve really restricted my own musings to Serie A and La Liga, which seem the most obvious destinations–it is just not the right time to buy him. If Rubin could wait until after the World Cup some clubs may be ready to bring him onboard. And since Ansaldi still has a shot to make the Argentina squad his value could even go up. Though as a young LB it won’t go that much higher.
So, what are some examples of clubs who could go after him next year?
In Serie A, I’d want to say Juventus. Fabio Grosso was a surprising, I dare say skinflint-ish, pick-up (2 million euros?). And at 32-years-old he seems only a short-term solution—realizing the irony of that statement while the club struggles. Combine Grosso’s age with Molinaro departing–assuming Stuttgart does not finish too poorly in the Bundesliga I’d expect him to stay there permanently—what will the Old Lady do for a LB next year? If Ansaldi stays at Rubin I wouldn’t be surprised if Juventus became a candidate for him later this year.
Claudio Marchisio and Ansaldi on the same flank? I have a difficult time not fawning over either player. So, yeah, umm . . . I’d watch that.
In Spain: Athletic Bilbao could really upgrade—but they are a club in that gray area, most likely unwilling to shell out the few extra million it would take for a real quality left-back. Koikili and Castillo have split time, and they are decent, but I don’t think Caparrós is really smitten with either. Ansaldi would push forward more consistently and defend more efficiently then either.
One final idea. How about Villarreal? Despite, or perhaps because of, Capdevila’s stellar performance this year, I could see them at least making an attempt at transferring him at the end of the year—trying to cash in before it is too late. But, then again, the money gained there would probably be
Sorry, some how my last sentence got cut off . . .
the money gained from Capdevila’s sale would probably be filtered into the midfield.
Bilbao – Unlikely, given the fervent nationalism. I know that’s something of a cliché answer, but would the supporters be amused at such a hefty being transfer fee being shelled out not only for a foreigner, but also one who plays in such an unglamorous position?
Juventus – I suppose how long Ferrera stays in the job affects this. I for one believe he’ll hang on until the summer (Ranieri being sacked mid-season was an exception for Juve) after delivering a dour 3rd place finish (but entry to a certain midweek competition). Does the board then opt for a really drastic overhaul? Undoubtedly, whatever happens will affect personnel transactions.
But given that Trezeguet has already stated his desire to leave, and its very likely Amauri will be forced to leave, the hunt for a striker (or 2?) will dominate the agenda. After that, well, the midfield looks a bit shoddy – but that’s an essay in itself!
- Another digression I won’t go into here Andrew is my belief that Marchisio is a tad overrated…
Villarreal – quite possibly…
Yeah, you are totally right, the Bilbao move would be impossible. I made the mistake of thinking tactically before nationalistically! Duh.
Juventus certainly has other areas to focus on, so given how much of an overhaul is in place will dictate whether they look for more defensive cover. So, yeah, I agree with you. Clearly their transfer minds are on the attack at the moment. But, to attack my own speculations, I also overlooked Paolo De Ceglie, who, depending on who ultimately manages the squad, could be turned into the permanent left back.
Marchisio overrated! How dare you! No, just kidding. He is at times amazing to watch, given how skilled he is on the ball. But, yes, he can also be wasteful. He certainly lacks consistency. Perhaps that will come will age (?).
My main gripe with Marchisio is that for a player so blessed with personality, he doesn’t impose himself/it on games often enough. Married with a child, his is hardly a situation you can palm off with an “oh but he’s still young” – despite Italy’s weird anti-flirtations with their young talents. Perhaps Ferrera’s Diego-centric tactics are to blame also.
Nevertheless, that goal against Inter had me off the armchair!
Speaking of players with real personality, and bringing this comment section back to Russian football (and full-backs), why did Clemente Rodriguez fail to make an impact in Russia?
Warning: I’m basing my impression of him on a Torneos de Valero game for Estudiantes; but his ghosts were perfectly timed, the execution with both feet was inch-perfect, and positionally he seemed to know who and where to cover – surely these are attributes that carry one through any level or pace of the game? Alas, am I again failing to register the whole cultural aspect of the situation (South American in Russia etc), or did Starkovs just not fancy him?
Verano* – I had the West Brom midfielder on my mind, seemingly!
Martyn: I agree with you that the issue over Marchisio is most likely a tactical one. As if we needed more examples, this weekend’s match was yet another indication that Diego-centrism does not work. Marchisio’s role is unclear and over time, assuming a different manager, I think his game will improve. I think that is all I really meant with the age comment–that he would grow into a more certain position. He is, of course, not that young. However, I would hesitate to equate “life” maturity with football maturity. Those different forms of maturity, or lack thereof, can sometimes parallel one another, sure. But I’m also sure that we can think of people who are married w/children who leave something to be desired as far as competence in their chosen profession, or vice versa.
But, as far as Rodriguez goes:
Starkovs opinion of Rodriguez is an interesting question, one that perhaps someone else could answer more thoroughly. But the connection between the two is interesting; they joined Spartak on the same day, and both received much fanfare. But despite the club’s success in 2005, Rodriguez was not a major element of it. Starkovs did play him, but the Argentine came under a lot of criticism—particularly at the end of the year—for his poor defensive positioning. That is actually putting it mildly; he was notorious for not tracking back. It’s interesting to now hear you mention that he may have corrected that part of his game.
Unfortunately he also seems to fall into that mysterious category of “South American unable to adapt” that we all too often come across in the Russian game—a category that also leads to extra criticism from the press when the player in question hits a rough patch. He certainly displayed his great passing skills with Spartak and the bundle of energy that he is when going forward, but his stamina never seemed to transfer going the other way. Perhaps he could have had more success in Russia if he was moved into a midfield role.
Spartak wanted to sell him outright after that first year but couldn’t find a buyer. After receiving a bit less playing time in 2006 (if I’m remember this correctly), he came under even the more criticism after his performance in Champions League play (particularly the disastrous second half against Bayern Munich in Munich), which precipitated more attempts to move him–again, no buyers, but they did manage to loan him out for two years.
Some thought he would have a second coming with Spartak in ’09. Michael Laudrup at least seemed to have some confidence in him, but only really as a sub. Rodriguez’s fate would match the Dutchman’s though. Karpin was not impressed with the full-back, preferring the height and balance of Fathi and Makeev, and quickly wanted to transfer him.
An interesting aside, last year Terek Grozny was looking to keep Rodriguez in Russia, apparently coming very close to making the transfer happen. It, of course, never materialized. But, you’ve got to think that the move to Estudiantes makes a lot more sense.
Thanks for the heads-up. An interesting if all too familiar tale then!
Good point on my correlation of football/family life maturity. Sometimes it’s easy to add wealth to the equation and believe that that makes it more substantial or true, but heck, even if Balotelli and Cassano get married and promise that they’ve seen the error of their ways etc, one shouldn’t reach for the metaphorical stamp marked “Mature” too hastily!
Re-adding to the Rubin and Argentine theme I notice that Jesús Dátolo left Napoli to join Olympiacos on loan. Entirely baseless, but I had wondered if he was an option Rubin considered to replace Dominguez?
As he displayed in his last outing for the Partenopei in the Coppa Italia at Juve, he compounds penetration down the left flank with the (occasional) magic of a trequartista in the centre. Napoli may have lost 3-0, but it wasn’t for his want of trying.
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