Charlie Nicholas believes Arsenal should just get rid of Alexis Sanchez as the player is demanding too much and not delivering.
The former Arsenal man did not minced his words when questioned about what’s in store for the talismanic Chilean forward.
The 28-year-old’s current deal expires next summer and, as a result, plenty of European sides have been monitoring his situation. Arsenal and Arsène Wenger are adamant that he will not be sold regardless, especially to a league rival – but Nicholas feels otherwise.
He said, “When I played you probably got told a month before you were getting a new contract. You had to work and earn that right and if you got a new contract without winning things you thought ‘well, this is a result’. These people don’t even get close to winning the title.
“You are talking about jumping from £120,000-a-week to £200,000-a-week for Sanchez. Sell him. He has not been interested in the game for the last eight weeks, he is camouflaging it. I would sell him, get him out. If he wants to go to Chelsea and they want to pay £60m, I would sell to Chelsea.”
Why Nicholas’s comments may divide opinion
When analysing Nicholas’s comments, you can understand where he’s coming from to an extent. Struggling for consistency since the start of the calendar year, Arsenal have not been helped by ongoing contract talks.
Naturally, critics tend to take more of an extended view of the player(s) involved in these ‘contract sagas’, so it’s unsurprising that many tend to focus their energies on how both Alexis and Özil are performing on a weekly basis.
Alexis hasn’t been at his phenomenal best but in fairness to him, he has tried and produced match-winning moments against Middlesbrough and Manchester City – so Nicholas’s comments about camouflage are harsh.
For someone who retired just under a decade before Alexis even started his professional career, it’s a typical passion-filled comment which questions Alexis’ commitment and desire.
A move to Chelsea though, regardless of the transfer fee, wouldn’t only strengthen a rival, and create doubt amongst the squad about club progression – the same mistakes of old?