Mohamed Elneny’s future was the subject of speculation on the Swiss website, Basellandschaftliche Zeitung, with the site claiming his move to Arsenal was a sign of ‘English transfer madness’.
Elneny has played just 100 minutes in the Premier League this season so far (with one assist) as he finds himself behind Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal pecking order (and Aaron Ramsey if/when he’s fit).
Basellandschaftliche Zeitung claim, perhaps with some justification, that the influx of TV money to the Premier League means that a move to England is seen as a ‘dream’ and one that can ensure financial security.
While the money may be great, they use Elneny as an example of why it could be bad for sporting reasons, claiming Arsenal were interested in him because of the injuries they suffered in midfield but that he now finds himself part of a midfield bottleneck at the club.
Again, it’s hard to argue with that.
They then speculate that the Egyptian could well seek a January loan move to gain some regular minutes after falling out of the squad entirely against Chelsea but it’s hard to see Mohamed becoming so unsettled so quickly.
Players often take time to adapt to life in Engalnd and the Premier League, especially with such a step up as the one that comes when you move from Switzerland.
I don’t see Elneny becoming frustrated too quickly, but the Swiss website do pose interesting questions.
Can Elneny force his way into the starting XI? And if he can’t, what does he do then?
Will he content himself to sit on the bench and take the money?
Or will he try to find football elsewhere.
Questions only time will answer. Time and injuries.