Samir Nasri: The Genius Available on a Free Transfer
By David Crook
Samir Nasri : Falling Out of Love with Football?
Nasri was a player who came to Manchester City during a wave of recruitment as we attempted to close the gap towards the top teams in the Premier League back in 2011. He was an infectious player blessed with prodigious talent and similarly cursed with an ability to cause friction- which was not always to his advantage. He was signed from Arsenal for £25 million on 24 August 2011 and he made an immediate impact – assisting 3 goals on his debut away to Tottenham Hotspur.
Back in 2011 we were signing players of talent but many of them were available for a reason. Nasri came to us with rumours of difficulties behind the scenes at Arsenal and the breakdown in his relationship with France Football followed. Nevertheless he made an instant contribution in light blue and played a big part in our first title win in 2011/12.
Whilst he had undoubted talent – he was an excellent striker of the ball, had natural ball control ability and was a willing runner in both attacking midfield and winger positions, he remained frustratingly inconsistent. He could be blisteringly brilliant and follow it up with bouts of anonymity. At the time it led Roberto Mancini the Manchester City Manager to decry sometimes he wanted to punch Nasri.
Nasri played an integral role in our second Premier League title win in 2013/14, including striking that goal against West Ham United when we really needed it. But he followed it up with some more inconsistency. He was injured in training back in 2015 and spent a number of months on the sidelines recovering from that serious injury. Whilst he worked hard to regain fitness it was never clear his heart was always in it.
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His last goal for Manchester City came in his comeback game against West Brom at home on 10 April 2016. A well taken shot was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd but it was to be his last appearance for Manchester City as he drifted away.
Guardiola joined in 2016/17 season and Nasri was immediately dispatched on loan to Sevilla and then moved to Antalyspor in Turkey. This demise was the result of a now infamous visit to Drip Doctors in Los Angeles whilst on loan at Sevilla. Its not clear exactly what action Manchester City took in relation to the matter but its probably best to assume they were unhappy. The intravenous treatment received by Nasri is outlawed by FIFA because it can be used to remove and limit banned substances from the bloodstream. On 2 Feb 2018 Nasri was banned by FIFA from all football activity for 6 months. On 1 August 2018 this ban was effectively extended following an appeal. Nasri was now banned for 18 months but the ban was backdated to the date of the offence back in July 2017. What this all means is Nasri finds his ban from football ends in November 2018 and from that date he is able to sign for a new club.
So Nasri is free from his doping ban in a matter of weeks and this once World Class player is available effectively on a free transfer. His return has highlighted several clubs and there are rumours Everton have been keen to talk to the player. Its unclear what kind of Nasri wil be returning to football. In recent years he gave the impression he had fallen out of love with the game a bit. His trademark smile had departed and instead seemed surly and aggressive. If the Nasri which comes back is the Nasri of 5 years ago – keen to make up for lost time then he will be a real bargain for any club.
Nasri was sometimes dismissed as some kind of mercenary at Manchester City but that ignores the fantastic contribution he made to two Premier League Titles. His Manchester City career is pretty impressive – 124 appearances and 18 goals – many of which were important. His career total to date is also impressive – 500 appearances and 70 goals. Even at Turkey whilst awaiting his imminent doping ban he played 8 times and scored 2 goals. His record shows the level he is capable of attaining. I hope we get the opportunity to see him again in the Premier League for a swan song but I hope he doesn’t play against us because he is always capable of nicking a goal.