Comfortably a contender for the most talented player we’ve ever had but he did not apply himself in the way you would like. He could have reached whatever level he wanted to if he applied himself properly.
Freestaytos4life on
He had the ability of a ballon d’or winner. But for me he never put the work in. Loved having him at the club though. He’s exactly the type of player we love. Gets fans on their feet with mazy runs and then other games you would swear he never seen a football before with how bad he was.
DangerCheesecake on
A great example of how mentality is arguably more important than ability, when it comes to footballers at the top level.
Could and probably should’ve been a world beater, looked to get himself together towards the end at Nice and got a well earned move to PSG. But even then when he came through Clairefontaine he was touted as being a potential all time great, which is crazy.
stinks_bad on
He was magic with the ball at his feet. But he had problems staying motivated and played lazy more often than not.
TYFO225 on
when he was good he was great
Affectionate-Fix2797 on
Very, very good but lazy at times. If he wasn’t on it, and you could tell within 15 mins, he was a passenger.
A shame as if he’d had half the application of some others he’d have been world class.
plutonym on
Sometimes
hollyberryboo on
My favourite non-Alan Shearer Newcastle player. My favourite French maverick. Yes he had a problematic temperament, but I still believe the right manager would’ve nurtured him in the way he needed. Pardew had too much ego and Ben Arfa was the fall guy.
fanatic_tarantula on
Better version of ASM, but still wildly inconsistent
Miserable_Future6694 on
He was as good as going toy shopping as a 10 year old or as bad as getting dragged to the pharmacy to pick a prescription up.
I still enjoyed his time here
ScootsMcDootson on
He was very good when he decided to pull his finger out, shame he only did that 1 in 3 matches.
toon_84 on
Complete luxury player at a time when we couldn’t afford to carry players like that.
prettymuchso on
So good that Unai Emery told him to stop dribbling during training sessions at PSG because he is not Messi..
Too bad a team never played around him.
of_no_real_opinion on
Imagine you had Messi for 1 game in 10
HaggisHunter93 on
A bit inconsistent but Jesus Christ on his day the lad was something else. The goal when he skinned the whole defence and ran from the halfway line was the stuff of dreams
18 Comments
good but wildly inconsistent
Unbelievably good…when he wanted to be.
Comfortably a contender for the most talented player we’ve ever had but he did not apply himself in the way you would like. He could have reached whatever level he wanted to if he applied himself properly.
He had the ability of a ballon d’or winner. But for me he never put the work in. Loved having him at the club though. He’s exactly the type of player we love. Gets fans on their feet with mazy runs and then other games you would swear he never seen a football before with how bad he was.
A great example of how mentality is arguably more important than ability, when it comes to footballers at the top level.
Could and probably should’ve been a world beater, looked to get himself together towards the end at Nice and got a well earned move to PSG. But even then when he came through Clairefontaine he was touted as being a potential all time great, which is crazy.
He was magic with the ball at his feet. But he had problems staying motivated and played lazy more often than not.
when he was good he was great
Very, very good but lazy at times. If he wasn’t on it, and you could tell within 15 mins, he was a passenger.
A shame as if he’d had half the application of some others he’d have been world class.
Sometimes
My favourite non-Alan Shearer Newcastle player. My favourite French maverick. Yes he had a problematic temperament, but I still believe the right manager would’ve nurtured him in the way he needed. Pardew had too much ego and Ben Arfa was the fall guy.
Better version of ASM, but still wildly inconsistent
He was as good as going toy shopping as a 10 year old or as bad as getting dragged to the pharmacy to pick a prescription up.
I still enjoyed his time here
He was very good when he decided to pull his finger out, shame he only did that 1 in 3 matches.
Complete luxury player at a time when we couldn’t afford to carry players like that.
So good that Unai Emery told him to stop dribbling during training sessions at PSG because he is not Messi..
Too bad a team never played around him.
Imagine you had Messi for 1 game in 10
A bit inconsistent but Jesus Christ on his day the lad was something else. The goal when he skinned the whole defence and ran from the halfway line was the stuff of dreams
Tap in merchant