Dani Ceballos has hinted that he will look to leave Real Madrid this summer because he fears he won’t get the playing time he needs.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the midfielder had extended his Arsenal loan deal until the end of the current campaign but it looks very unlikely that we’ll stump up the cash to sign him permanently.
That said, for the time being, Ceballos is refusing to rule out any moves, whether it be a return to Real Betis or continuing in England.
In an interview with El Larguero, he said: “The owner of my future next year is me.
“Next year I want to play and I will hardly be able to do it at Real Madrid. Betis? It’s an option, I’m not closing the door on any club. I don’t rule out continuing in the Premier League.”
Ceballos also touched on his relationship with coaches Zinedine Zidane, who returned to Madrid in March 2019, and Mikel Arteta, who took over at Arsenal in December.
“Would I return to play for Zidane? It’s a decision I have to make. He told me before this season that the best thing was for me to leave and get experience. He made his decision and that has to be respected, I’ve no problem with him because he’s always been very clear with me.”
On Arteta, with whom he got off to a tetchy start, he added: “The coach wants us to play a similar game to what Manchester City do and I think it’s a philosophy that is difficult for rivals.
“He doesn’t talk about Pep anecdotes but the relationship shows in the training session. I’ve learned a lot about football in a different way. It’s a luxury to be able to learn from a coach with the qualities.”
Dani Dani.. If only your agent was Kia!
Been pretty underwhelmed so far. Even if we had the money to sign him I think I’d be against it
Agreed. Had a decent start but i think the injuries have hampered him this season. Shame really as I was looking forward to seeing his qualities this season.
I mean if he was priced at €20M maybe but definitely not at €40M. I think Arsenal really needs to figure out how to buy players at the right price. There are far too many bad purchases to sustain for a tightly run club like Arsenal
Aside from Nketiah, Saka, Martinelli, Leno, Willock and Aubameyang every Arsenal player has been very poor this year including Ceballos. If he stays or leaves his impact will be the same. It makes no difference.
Looked very good when he first came in and again when he started getting games under Arteta. But doesn’t seem to have gotten started since lockdown and looked like his head might have been turned. If he doesn’t stay with us, hopefully he’ll still use the rest of the season to put himself in the shop window.
Bang average. Let him go and replace him with a player who wants to play for us long term.
I think he gave great performances for Spanish youth team and was perceived as a potential world beater. Did he get contaminated at Arsenal like Laca for example?
Based on what he’s largely done this season, not surprised Madrid want one of our players more than one of their own back
He hasn’t had a great impact, for whatever the reason, so I would call it a day and move on.
It’s obvious arteta is going to play a 451 system of sorts. I hope it’s a 1DM-2CM and not dm/cm/AM.
It’s obvious we need w quality CMs to do that.
Focus on that and give arteta what he needs!
Well Emery tried the 1DM 2CM and it didn’t work either way. Arsenal became poor in both defense and offense. What Arteta is more agile no 10 who can create chances
Underwhelming really. When Ceballos is at his best, there is still an awful lot of sideways passing.
Not every player has to play progressive passes all the time
This guy is our problem. Hes a very good footballer but is barely influential and has virually no numbers in terms of assists and goals.
Everyone’s hedging.
Meanwhile, we won’t do ourselves any harm finishing within top 6….but lots of work to be done for that too happen.
tactic by arteta encouraging against Soton. Like the ‘3 at the back’ considering our Cbacks all porous. Midfield particularly with return of Xhaka also helps defensively given better cover and our wide spread potentially cuts down the threat of crosses.
The formation was almost a 4-2-4 which allows us some width and the energy of Nketiah IMO very useful dropping back into midfield to snap or indeed pressing the keeper.
Encouraging signs.
Ceballos was a bit lukewarm against Soton but I believe his brief was to be more defensive next to Xhaka than barnstorming allowing instead the wide players and fullbacks to push up in support of the two strikers. Important to remember Ceballos himself still developing at 22/23. Another season with us, he may have opportunities further forward with Ozil going into last season. If Ceballos leaves, we will benefit from someone with high energy and some defensive acumen like Saul Niguez Athletico (Great long pass like Xhaka). Willock and Guendouzi (should he also stay) talented but still… Read more »
Not much posted on Xhaka.
I thought he was good against Soton.
Helped marshall our midfield for us and screen the backline.
We are lacking leaders so I for one would not think it unwise in the slightest if Arteta gives him the captaincy again.
Goes to show how blinkered a lot of people are in their view of certain players.
If its relatively cheap id nab him.
hes a hardworking shit ozil.
works immensely hard and has some silky touches. once he is in a working system he will flourish, people do not see his defensive contributions because he has a little flair.