Wales’ group rivals England are about to start their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia on Saturday, with Jamie Vardy in their ranks. But has Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger done Wales – and the Gunners’ Aaron Ramsey – a big favour by messing with Vardy’s head? Dai Sport columnist NEIL MASUDA smells a conspiracy.
JUST some hours ago, a friend of mine expressed his fury that Arsene Wenger should behave so outrageously in his pursuit of Jamie Vardy.
I confess that I was the one to fan his flames.
I had merely suggested that Arsenal’s pursuit of the former Fleetwood Town star – with the offer of a three-year contract (rising to four, if agreed) and a £120,000-a-year contract – was in some ways a subterfuge for an act of war.
What was at the back of my mind was something that fifth century BC Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu would have used in his treatise The Art Of War. What was in my friend’s mind was flagrant cheapness and French arrogance.
He was aghast that Wenger should invoke Vardy’s £20million clause, if he did not seek to follow it through.
He angrily poured some more beer into his glass as I attempted to explain my theory.
At this point, I should indicate my own sentiments.
I greatly admire Wenger for the massive influence he has made on the English game… but we can’t escape the fact that he is French.
Does no one else see that by offering Vardy untold riches and a doubled salary on the eve of a major international tournament he will turn the poor chap’s head?
The pressure will be even greater if Vardy, as a newbie, has to look after Leo The Lion, England’s mascot and the source of much derision from onlookers.
At some point in this tournament if they emerge successful from their group (stop laughing at the back!), England could face France – and, at that point, Wenger will enter Vardy’s brain again.
Of course, what Wenger should have done was refer back to his outrageous bid of £40,000,001 to Liverpool for Luis Suarez. He took pelters for that extra £1 – “What a lack of class, how cheap, how tawdry.”
And he should have remembered that occasion in his supposed pursuit of Vardy.
What better than to have unlatched the escape clause with £20million and an offer of an extra €1?
The ultimate in self-parodic humour – and a nod to the mess awaiting us all in the UK on June 23.
Of course, Wenger could have put in a bid for Harry Kane. No, you’re right, he couldn’t.
But what he has done is cover all bases.
And those Gunners fans who accused him of not going for a Premier League striker can now be rebuffed.
His real goal, methinks, would be Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, the true player of the year and a midfielder (and Arsene loves a good midfielder).
So, Wenger disproves his doubters with a bid for a proven striker; disturbs Vardy’s concentration for England in the Euros; and proves he is a loyal French agent provocateur.
Magnifique!