If the reports that Barcelona and Inter have agreed a striker swap with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o then there is no doubt that both clubs are losing a great striker and gaining one as well.
Although I haven’t often seen Ibrahimovic produce his very best on the European or international stage, I have seen enough of him playing for Inter to see that the man is one of Europe’s best. As for Eto’o, the constant rumours of his leaving Barcelona, falling out with everyone and other issues have never stopped him doing what he does best. Scoring goals.
Valuations
The only thing that confuses me in this deal is the valuations being put on the players. It is reported that Barcelona will be giving Inter around £35 million and Alex Hleb on loan for a year as well as Eto’o, in return for Ibrahimovic.
At twenty-eight and twenty-seven years old respectively, Eto’o and Ibrahimovic are both arguably at the peak of their powers at this time and I am struggling to understand the huge difference in their apparent valuation.
I’m not having a go at anyone here, I think they are both world class strikers. I am just questioning whether one is so much better than the other.
Incredible
Eto’o joined Barcelona from Mallorca in 2004. Since joining them his scoring record has been incredible. In total he has scored a remarkable one hundred and thirty goals in two hundred appearances.
He has never fallen behind the rate of one goal every other game and last season’s treble winning year was one of his most prolific ever. In thirty-six league games he found the net thirty times. In Europe he scored six in twelve.
His goalscoring record at international level is also very impressive. He has recorded thirty-nine goals in eighty appearances for Cameroon. He has helped his clubs and country to twelve major honours and has a list of individual honours to rank alongside that of almost any player, including being named twice in both the UEFA and World teams of the year. In 2005 he was third in the World player of the year award.
Exceptional
Ibrahimovic joined Inter from Juventus in 2006 after scoring twenty-three goals in seventy games for the club. His record at Inter has been exceptional.
In one hundred and sixteen appearances for the San Siro club he has found the net sixty-six times. Last season he scored twenty-five goals in thirty-five league games, but managed just one in eight European appearances. In fact, since moving to Juventus, he has scored just nine goals in forty-one European games.
Ibrahimovic has played fifty-six games for Sweden and has a very respectable twenty-one intenational goals.
He has won five major titles in Italy and was selected in the UEFA team of the year in 2007.
Fabulous
Both players have fabulous records and both players score goals for fun. Ibrahimovich has scored a goal every 2.2 games. In a league recognised as the toughest in which to score, that is an amazing performance. At Barcelona, Eto’o has managed a goal every 1.5 games. There are few better records and his achievements have gone a long way to securing the success that they have had at the Camp Nou.
So there we have it. Two wonderful strikers in great form, playing for great clubs. Both Inter and Barcelona will get a very special player if the deal goes through. My only question is, why is Ibrahimovic worth so much more?
Can you help?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
