Brooking hails young Gunners
Trevor Brooking believes the emergence of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini may persuade Arsenal the time is right to sell inspirational skipper Patrick Vieira.
Reports in Italy suggest Vieira is on the brink of completing a £9.6m (€14m) switch to Juventus in a deal which could also see a member of the Champions League finalists’ squad moving to Highbury.
Should the deal come off, it would mark the end of Vieira’s sparkling nine-year Arsenal career.
Brooking, who was talking at today’s launch of Nationwide’s 10th season as a sponsor of UK football, feels the time may be right for him to move on, particularly with 18-year-old Fabregas and Flamini, 21, making their mark at Highbury.
“I don’t know if I’m surprised Patrick Vieira might be leaving. The rumours about him going have been around for a few seasons now. When they began again you hoped it would not be another drawn-out saga,” said the Football Association’s director of football development.
“But now it looks like it might be the right decision long-term if Arsenal get the money they want.
"Patrick was very good in the second half of last season but his form dipped before that.
“If they do sell, I’m sure Arsene knows who he wants to invest the money in. He will look to strengthen the squad overall – I don’t think it will be spent on one player.
“He already has two outstanding youngsters in Flamini and Fabregas. Whether he feels they are ready to take over in the midfield remains to be seen.”
Arsenal’s ambitions in the transfer market have been severely hamstrung by the financial constraints of building their new stadium at Ashburton Grove, but Brooking insists Wenger’s eye for a bargain has helped enormously.
“Arsenal have their priorities at the moment but Arsene is a very astute manager. What looks to be a low-key signing turns out be a great one. The sort of money he spends does not always reflect the quality of the player he gets,” he said.
“But that’s not to say Arsene is afraid to go in and spend a lot of money if he thinks it’s worth it. Look at Jose Antonio Reyes – he’s a very talented guy and Arsene was happy to pay over £10m (€14.5m) for him.”
However Brooking admits that Roman Abramovich’s vast wealth means no club in the Barclays Premiership is able to match Chelsea’s spending power.
“It’s difficult for Manchester United and Arsenal because Chelsea’s finances are unique to them.
"Everyone understands it’s impossible to compete with them in the transfer market,” he said.
Liverpool and Newcastle have been busy strengthening their squads but Brooking expects the usual trio to battle it out for the title, although that will be reduced to one if Chelsea make a strong start.
“It’s just a case of ensuring Chelsea don’t get away early on. The depth in their squad means they are hard to catch,” he said.
“You have to look where we are in a month’s time because Chelsea are still being linked with another three or four players. Even though Newcastle and Liverpool are buying players I can’t seen beyond the usual three winning the title.”
