Jackson Martinez has been prolific since his arrival at Porto to replace his compatriot Radamel Falcao. In his one and half seasons at the Portuguese giant, Martinez has bagged an incredible 49 goals in 64 appearances, resulting in incessant speculation linking him to greener pastures of some of Europe biggest clubs.
This transfer window is no different and yet again we see him being linked with a host of European powerhouses on the lookout for offensive reinforcements. He himself has reportedly stated that he is interested in a move to the Premier League, and Arsenal and Chelsea in particular. Here’s a look at the two possible destinations and which would suit him best.
1. Arsenal
Arsenal will undoubtedly be lining up some offensive reinforcements, with Olivier Giroud the main striker available to Arsene Wenger. His dip in form over the last few weeks, following a great start to the season, has contributed to intense speculation of Arsenal signing a striker in January. With the funds being available, Arsenal will certainly be a serious contender for his signature.
Tactically, Martinez plays as the main focal point of 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to the role currently being played by Giroud. The only difference is that Arsenal’s possession-based passing style requires a measured build-up which demands the striker link-up with the midfield runners, while Jackson’s role at Porto is comparatively more direct.
Even though incorporating Martinez in Arsenal’s setup may require some adjustments, the South American’s talents could provide Arsene Wenger with an alternative in attack that is currently lacking, and may even open up the possibility of a partnership between Martinez and Giroud.
As far as Martinez is concerned, it will provide him an opportunity to link-up with some of the top talents in the game in Ozil and Cazorla, and may help him become a more rounded striker, and make him an even more prolific hitman.