Samir Nasri Evokes the Apocalypse, “Could Leave Marseille”

By: Sam | November 3rd, 2007

Oui, c’est possible que je parte.

Gah.

In an interview with the unfortunately credible French sports newspaperL’Équipe, the 20-year old, who played his first full 90 today since coming down with an injury, confided that a departure from Marseille at the end of this season would be possible. What with there being more prestigious clubs than OM in this world of ours, their putrid start to the season probably hasn’t convinced him any more to stay in the south of France. Neither has their unquellable bureaucratic instability, in all likelihood.

Yes, I may leave, but I have to have a good year. As for the winter transfer window, I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave in the middle of the season, and it’s hard to gel into a new group.

Zing! As of yet, the most over-protective of all over-protective club presidents, Pape Diouf, has not spoken to the media on the matter, but he clearly won’t be long.

Now, this of course propels the debate: Is Nasri ready to make the move to one of the biggest clubs in the world? Inter Milan and Real Madrid, as most sites and newspapers would have it, are the two front-runners in the great race of the Samir.

If one’s answer can be limited to yes or no, it pains me to say that I think he is. At the end of the season he will probably be set.

The boy’s only twenty (that’s only four years older than me!) and he’s an unquestionable starter in one of France’s most prestigious clubs, who are on top of their Champions League group and boast about a dozen internationals from all around the world.

If Marseille progresses to the knockout stages of the Champions League, he’ll be under the most pressure he’ll ever have been under, and he’s already been in Coupe de France finals, various tournaments with the French youth squads as well as gotten his first caps and has heavily impressed.

And as for his actual ability on the pitch, forget about it. Unlike the most players who’ve had the nickname bestowed upon them, they don’t call this kid the next Zizou for nothing. His control both on the ball and on what is going on around him are second-to-none, especially for his age. His spot-on passing have led to many a Marseille goal, and he has been known to pull the odd rabbit out of his hat and score a cracker himself.

So he’s 20. He’ll be 21 when next season starts. It’s young, but it’s been done before. This “oh, he’s too young” excuse isn’t going to last forever.

Please weigh in with your thoughts about if he should stay, where he should go, how much he should cost, or whatever.