Arsenal are reportedly tracking Max Kruse from Werder Bremen, but is the controversial player the right choice for the Gunners?
Max Kruse has spent his entire career in Germany and in his senior career he has played for five clubs including Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 29-year-old forward made 24 appearances for Werder Bremen last season, makng seven assists and scoring 15 goals in the Bundesliga. He placed sixth in top goal-scorers list.
Kruse has a somewhat troublesome personality, and has often been involved in incidents off the pitch. He even missed European Championshi and World Cup for Germany due to ‘incidents’.
In one such ‘incident’, he took the phone of a Bild journalist and got fined by the club. On another occasion, he lost €75k in cash in a taxi. While Germany was winning the World Cup in Brazil, Kruse was competing in the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas.
Strengths
Despite his “performance” off the pitch, he is a very rewarding player, and his ability to convert chances is one of the best in Bundesliga.
His natural position is as a shadow striker, or even as an attacking midfielder. He is a natural at exploiting the position and focus of the defence on the main striking threat.
Kruse is a creative force for a striker and he makes 2.13 chances and plays 1.83 key passes per-game. His ability to hold the ball and pick a pass makes him a very dangerous player in front of the penalty box, and he also takes an average of 1.8 shots per game and is comfortable in using both feet to shoot.
With decent dribbling and physical strength, he is a very tough player to defend against.
Next, Kruse’s weaknesses
Weakness
Kruse is definitely one of the most hardworking players on the pitch up top but he doesn’t contribute much in the defensive phase. His defensive abilities are very poor and he makes 0.7 tackles per-game but also commits 0.8 fouls in the same period.
For a player with good physical strength and 5″9′ tall, he isn’t very good at aerial duels and on average, wins just 36.84%
His personality off the pitch and behaviour have earned him a couple of fines over his career and at 29, he isn’t very likely to change.
Next, What to expect from him at Arsenal, if he joins
What to expect from him at Arsenal, if he joins
Max Kruse is very good player, but not the best. He would most likely be a squad player and called upon when the first team players were rotated, eventually used as a substitute, starting very few matches.
There is no doubt that he would leave some kind of impact on the squad and their performances, but he just can’t be expected to be a regular starter. There is a big possibility that he won’t leave Werder Bremen if he can’t be promised enough playing time.
He is at the peak of his career and Werder Bremen are most likely to ask more than what they paid only last summer. Therefore, a fee of around €8-10m would be required.
Max Kruse goal king
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qljf2wFm5HY
Max Kruse highlights 15/16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ie44WkGx3o