In a new series of articles, FantasySports.co.uk will analyse the likely formation and performance impact that players would have on some of the Premier League’s greatest clubs. Today, we ask the question: ‘How would Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez fit in at Arsenal?’
Our analysis series is to assist Fantasy Premier League managers in understanding the impact Lucas Vazquez could have at the Emirates.
Analysis: How would Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez fit in at Arsenal?
Arsenal are searching for a right wing to add to the team’s front three this summer. Manager Unai Emery has lost midfielder Aaron Ramsey to a free transfer and could sell or loan out Mesut Ozil this summer to shake up the squad.
The Gunners have already been linked with Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha but could have difficulty signing him from the Eagles.
Sights have been set on Real Madrid player Lucas Vazquez this week and the Daily Star suggests a deal could be finalised on Monday.
Vazquez, who just turned 28-years old, made his Real Madrid debut in 2015. He came up through Real Madrid’s youth teams and spent a season on loan at La Liga rivals Espanyol.
Although Vazquez has won a glute of trophies at Real Madrid including three Champions Leagues, he has never been a regular in the team. Much of that has to do with the quality on offer at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But one needs to only look at Alvaro Morata’s failures at Chelsea to see that adding Vazquez at Arsenal could be a mistake. Morata was never counted on to be “the man” at Real Madrid or Juventus.
Morata succeeded because he wasn’t needed to score a majority of the team’s goals. Once at Chelsea, Morata suffered as he was needed to be the team’s No. 9 and deliver every game.
Vazquez is a different player and won’t be counted on to score goals. He will be needed to create them instead.
Last season, Vazquez recorded his fewest number of assists in a La Liga season with three. The season prior saw him tally eight assists while in 2016-17 he notched nine. Real Madrid’s poor overall season can be to blame for Vazquez’s small return.
The midfielder could be a great replacement for Ozil. Vazquez’s work-rate would be a major upgrade to the German.
Vazquez predominately plays on the right wing for Real Madrid. It is there that he has been at his most dangerous. In 185 matches, Vazquez recorded 27 goals and 43 assists on the right side of a front three. Played further back in midfield and the Spaniard’s numbers fall off.
Arsenal are in need of a player that can play on the right wing. While Zaha offered a decent option, Vazquez could be a major upgrade on the Ivorian international.
The Gunners have made a right wing player their priority to provide a dangerous front three of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and an undefined third player. Could it be Vazquez?