Well done Cesc. Bye-bye Ade?

First of all I want to say congratulations to Spain for reaching the final of Euro 2008. Whilst they may not have excited as much as the plucky Turks, they have certainly been the most consistent team of the tournament. I was especially happy to see Fabregas turn in another impressive display after he came on to replace the injured David Villa. To be honest, his ability to influence the game has been so obvious during his several substitute appearances and his one start against Greece that I’m surprised he didn’t start against the Russians. I suppose this is a mark of just how blessed the Spanish manager Luis Aragonés is.

The good news for Cesc is that Villa’s injury looks like keeping him out of the final, which is likely to mean a starting birth for the Arsenal player. This of course I am happy about, and I truly hope Cesc can inspire his team to victory against the insufferably lucky Germans. I do have, however, a speck of caution. If, as is hoped, Spain do triumph, and if, as expected, Cesc plays a central role, it is likely to attract yet more unwelcome attention to Arsenal’s best and brightest.

It would be naïve of me to think that Cesc’s star has not already risen high enough to be seen by the keen-eyes of Europe’s hawks. But further evidence of the youngster’s exceptional ability may provoke the same unscrupulous tactics as have been witnessed during Real Madrid’s ongoing dalliances with Cristiano Ronaldo. A similar thing is already afoot in the form Milan and Barcelona’s pursuit of Emmanuel Adebayor. Contrary to the player’s claims that he wants to stay, his Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito is now claiming there is an “80% chance” the striker will leave for Milan.

Apparently, the only hope Arsenal have of keeping hold of Adebayor is if they treble his wages to £120,000 per week! Given Arsenal’s strict wage structure it is unlikely they will be prepared to offer such a deal, which I suppose means bye-bye Ade. Well, perhaps not. I don’t doubt Milan and Barcelona’s interest in the player – and there would be quite so much smoke without at least a small fire – but much of this hype is media and agent-generated – it’s about shifting newspapers and about establishing a strong negotiating position.

I would be very surprised to see Adebayor go this summer. Certainly it would be a mistake for him to go. Although he was one of the standout players of last term it would be foolish of him to forget the circumstances of his ascent. He was allowed to flourish at Arsenal because he was given time and because the manager repeatedly showed faith. At Arsenal, Adebayor is a key piece of an elaborate jigsaw. He should be aware that if he moves to either Milan or Barcelona his particular talents are unlikely to be indulged so fastidiously – witness Thierry Henry.