Samir Nasri is known for voicing his opinion. It’s what makes him such a controversial figure on the footballing scene. Honest remarks about the FIFA crisis; his old team Arsenal, as well as his national team manager, have made him the outspoken midfielder that is not afraid to say what he feels.
Which is exactly why; in a recent interview with ESPN FC; fans were eager to hear what the Frenchman had to mention about the upcoming campaign.
Surprisingly, he had only good things to say about Manuel Pellegrini’s system; something that was heavily criticised last year by fans for it’s predictable nature. However, the midfieder notes his joy playing as the classic ‘drifting’ playmaker the Chilean adores:
“We play with two playmakers in a 4-4-2, whether I play right or left it’s the same role, a lot of freedom. [Pellegrini] doesn’t ask me to be a winger, to dribble out wide and cross the ball. I drift inside with David, to open up space for the full-backs to get in behind.”
“[Arsenal played a 4-3-3 system], but here, the strikers go in behind [in a 4-4-2], so you’re the one who has to organise the game and be the playmaker.”
“As an offensive player, they ask me to create chances. You have to be precise in the last third, and that’s one of my qualities. I try to be precise with my passes but take some risks as well.”
However, he was quick to recognise that last season did not go as planned from a City point of view, as we finished eight points behind Chelsea and didn’t manage to pick up any silverware. He also hopes to deliver on an individual level next year after a season in which he struggled:
“It was a season to forget. Let’s be honest, a season without silverware is difficult, especially as we won the double the year before. On a personal note, being injured four times during the season is a lot.”
“But it’s a season that made me stronger personally, and I realised certain things, like what I need to do to be fully fit all of the time. I hope this season I’m going to bring something to the team. I’m a proud player, and I didn’t want to waste one year of my career.”
As for the Premier League itself, Samir notices the changes that it has undergone since his move here from Ligue 1 in 2008. And he feels they have been positive ones:
“I think it’s become a more technical league than it used to be. When I first arrived, I was shocked with the intensity and physical aspect of the game. Now we have a lot more Hispanic players, the game is evolving, and I think it’s for the best. I really like the league. I still think we have the best league in the world.”
Besides being unafraid to talk the truth, Nasri is also known as being an avid watcher of football:
“Just ask my girlfriend about it! She’s mad with me because I just watch football all the time! It’s not just about practicing; watching the best players in their position, you improve as well, by another thing every single game.”
And he clearly knows his stuff about the way teams line up against us. He mentions about the improvements in the organisational ability of opponents:
“When you play a team like Crystal Palace, you know you’re going to suffer because they play a 4-5-1, they’ll wait for you; they’ll park the bus. And with other teams as well, it’s become more and more difficult to find the ‘key’ to beat them, and that’s really interesting for the league, so it’s more difficult [for City to break down opponents]”.
Samir clearly has a passion for the game that not all other footballers possess. His experience in the game is also something that he might wish to pass on:
“I’ve been into football since I was 5 years old…what I know best is football, so I don’t want to reinvent myself into something else. I want to give back what football has given me, so maybe I’ll go into coaching, and pass my badges.” “I have the perfect example [at City]. Patrick Vieira is someone who wasn’t really like that [coaching] but now he’s really into it, and when I talk to him about it, he’s really enjoying it.”
If Nasri can stay injury-free next season and show off his true qualities, he will be like a new signing for City. It’s a big year ahead for the Frenchman.
Let us know your thoughts on his interview by commenting, or tweeting us @TheMaineBlues. Do you have high hopes for Samir? What can he bring to the side next year?
