Arsenal’s January transfer window has been rather underwhelming. To be linked with a whole host of top players from across Europe and not end up with anyone, will almost certainly dent the club’s top-four aspirations.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu has had a mixed bag when it comes to his services at the club. But could a change to his role be something the club should consider?
On The Arsenal Way’s deadline day show, Umar Choudhry (UC) and Bailey Keogh (BK) discussed the movement, or lack of, at the club and whether or not Edu is right for the uphill task at the Emirates.
UC: “Honestly I don't think Edu is the right choice moving forwards. I think this window has shown me a lot. He was negotiating all summer to get Partey for a lesser fee. All summer Atletico Madrid said if you want him, trigger the release clause and everyone was over the moon Edu got this done and then he's taking pictures on Instagram.
“You just had to go to La Liga headquarters and see the activated release clause. It's not rocket science. I could have done that. So when I go back to the summer window itself, all the players who came like Ramsdale, I think most of the signings were just our targets. I think Arteta was the one who wanted these players more than Edu”.
BK: “Also the players we signed in the summer, other teams weren't really interested in them. Players like Ramsdale - it was only Arsenal interested, Ben White - it was only Arsenal that were interested.”
UC: “It's a good point. When you think there was no competition for those players, so an open market for us to just sign those players, and possibly there has been criticism of Edu's negotiation skills.
“When he came from Brazil, they were generally saying good luck to Arsenal. So even then, things were a bit amiss while people were saying that, but this window has shown me a lot. I'm not saying dismiss him after this window because that would be too hasty.
“But this summer is going to be a big one for him because there are so many good technical directors out there. I like Michael Edwards, who is leaving Liverpool. I know that he's possibly going to Real Madrid in the summer, but why can't we put feelers out for him and inform him of our project and what we want to do?
“He's someone who I would love to have at Arsenal. He knows how to negotiate. He knows how to get good prices for players who are not in the plans of the manager. He's done it with Liverpool. Players like Dominic Solanke went for around £20 million. So we need that aside from buying players, we need also to make a profit for players who are not in Arteta’s plans.
“I won’t show hate towards Edu, I don't think I can do that. If I'm honest, he's a legend for the club. I'll always love him for what he did with The Invincibles. But when I'm speaking specifically about his negotiation skills, what he's done as a technical director is not good enough, but that's down to the likes of Stan Kroenke and the hierarchy to make that decision. So, let's see.”
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