Why signing Denis Suarez would be a brilliant move by Unai Emery
Denis Suarez’s career has taken a downhill trend over the last few seasons. He began as a youth prospect at the coveted Celta Vigo academy and was scouted while a part of the Celta Vigo B team. Scouts of various clubs identified him but he chose to make the switch to Manchester by joining Manchester City in 2011.
He made his debut for Manchester City in the League Cup in a 5-2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He then made a Premier League appearance the following season – that was his last game for the City first-team. At the end of his term with the English side, he was offered an outlet back to Spain when Barcelona came calling.
He made the switch to Barcelona but it was not something he would have expected. He was immediately sent to the Barcelona B team for further development.
He then had highly successful spells at Sevilla and Villareal, which triggered Barcelona to activate his buy-back clause and bring him back to the Nou Camp. After returning in 2016, he has only made 46 appearances for Barca and is yet to start a La Liga game this term.
He is an attack-minded midfielder who likes to drift around the pitch with the ball at his feet. He is extremely composed while on the ball and is capable of some neat dribbles in tight spots. His passing skills are also unquestionable as his calm and collected nature ensures that he always thinks well before playing a pass.
Having begun his career playing as a second striker and as an attacking midfielder, his shooting skills are also quite polished.
According to reports from Metro, Arsenal are close to completing a £14m move for the Barcelona man. At Arsenal, there is an urgent shortage of players for almost all positions. Denis Suarez would fill two of those holes with ease because of his versatility.
While he can be played in the middle of the park and be asked to dictate the play so as to give Torreira and Guendouzi a break, he can also play in a more advanced role and on the flanks.
Given the recent dip in form shown by Alex Iwobi, Suarez could be the perfect man to walk into this squad and add a bit of composure and quality – be it in the middle or in a more attacking role.
Arsenal and Emery need a player like Suarez and realistically, Suarez needs this move as well – to really kickstart his stagnating career.