Monaco star who is Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s top target… but is Thomas Lemar worth £80million?
Football Whispers take an in-depth look at the man the Gunners boss is desperate to bring to the Emirates
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“Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
Wise words from Winston Churchill and advice for Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger this summer.
The Gunners coach wants Thomas Lemar, and he doesn’t seem like giving up on the midfielder, not yet.
Our friends at Football Whispers have taken a closer look at the Monaco star, picking out exactly why Arsenal are so keen to land the 21-year-old before the start of the new season.
The Ligue 1 champions are holding firm, not giving any bids from the North London club the time of day. Reports suggest the Monegasque side are holding out for £80million, which could all but rule out a deal.
We have now entered a transfer market where Ross Barkley is worth £50million and Paris Saint-Germain are seriously considering spending £200million on Barcelona’s Neymar.
If Lemar is to make the move across the channel, the player himself will need to be clear in his intentions to leave. Something his personality goes against.
As Leonardo Jardim guided the club to the French title, Lemar was undoubtedly one of his star performers. Bernardo Silva was also key and he has left for Manchester City, with Tiemoué Bakayoko confirmed to Chelsea and Benjamin Mendy still close joining Silva at City, the 21-year-old is vital to next season’s plans.
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Silva was heavily praised for his defensive work last season. It’s one of the points that attracted Pep Guardiola and also made him a Manchester United transfer target for José Mourinho.
Lemar actually won more tackles per 90 minutes with 1.7, and more interceptions with one, compared to the Portuguese attacker’s 1.5 and 0.9 per 90.
One huge feature of Monaco’s play was the former Caen midfielder’s relationship with left-back Mendy.
The defender pushed down the wing and Lemar would come inside to create space. He almost plays in an inverted No.10 role and Mendy’s willing runs gave Monaco width and allowed the 21-year-old to drift through the middle to cause havoc.
Arsenal’s new Bosnian signing Sead Kolasinac is a similar type of full-back. He has the power and pace to get up and down the wing, plus the attacking sense to make a difference in the final third.
It was the understanding down the left that helped Lemar make 7.7 crosses per 90 minutes last season, more than Silva’s 3.6 and Mesut Özil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott couldn’t match that with 5.9, 3.9 and 2.3 respectively.
Lemar is far from a traditional winger: he doesn’t look to hit the by-line every time, he doesn’t have blistering pace, he relies on intelligence. The speed of his brain outweighs the quickness of his legs.
Reading the situation ahead of him, he also finds a way to create space, finding a half-yard and delivery a pinpoint cross with his majestic left foot.
On his way to picking up 14 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, Lemar averaged two shots per 90 and 2.5 key passes. Able to both deliver and test goalkeepers with set-pieces, he has the vision to slip balls in-behind, fire in low crosses or curl a pass into that area of uncertainty that defenders and shot-stoppers hate.
Only Özil managed more key passes for Arsenal last term. If Wenger could find a way to package both together, it could be a dream combination and perfect for Alexandre Lacazette, and Alexis Sánchez if he stays this summer.
THOMAS LEMAR FACTFILE
- Thomas Lemar was born in Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe, on 12 November 1995
- The winger began his youth career at Solidarite Scolaire before joining Caen in 2010.
- In 2013 he broke into the first team at Caen, before Monaco snapped him up in 2015.
- The 21-year-old is rated highly by the national team and has played for the U17s, U18s, U19s, U20s and U21s before appearing in the senior side.
- He made his France debut in 15 November in 2016 after appearing as a sub in a 0-0 friendly against the Ivory Coast.
- Lemar won his first piece of silverware with Monaco last season after they were crowned Ligue 1 champions.
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In the Gunners 3-4-3 formation, Lemar would be perfect on the left of the attack. He’s not a replacement for the Chilean international, but he would help and boost Wenger’s frontline. Having his friend and international team-mate Lacazette would not only help Lemar settle, but provide a top-class target for him to find. The former Lyon man’s movement is more dynamic than Olivier Giroud’s; they could become a devastating duo.
Monaco are playing hardball, but if Arsenal have the funds and Wenger has the patience, Lemar is a player worth pursuing, regardless of the cost.
