Allardyce Claims he Did Arsenal a Favor by Preventing 26-Year-Old Signing

Sam Allardyce, the former Crystal Palace and Everton manager, has claimed that he saved Arsenal from making a transfer mistake by preventing them from signing Jean-Philippe Mateta in 2019.

The Background

Allardyce, who now works as a pundit for talkSPORT, made the claim while speaking on the radio station’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. According to the former manager, he recommended that Arsenal not sign the 26-year-old striker as he felt the player was not ready for the Premier League.

What Did Allardyce Say?

Allardyce was quoted as saying, “I watched Mateta play in the French league and I didn’t think he was up to the standard. When [Arsenal] came and asked me about him, I said ‘no chance’.” He went on to claim that his intervention may have prevented the Gunners from making a costly transfer mistake.

The Reaction

Allardyce’s claims have sparked a mixed reaction from football fans and pundits alike. Some have applauded the former manager for his honesty and insight, while others have criticized him for trying to take credit for something that may or may not have happened.

The Verdict

It is difficult to know for sure whether Allardyce’s recommendation had any impact on Arsenal’s transfer plans. However, it is clear that the Gunners have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer in recent years, and it is possible that Mateta could have been a solution to their problems.

The Conclusion

Ultimately, whether or not Allardyce did Arsenal a favor by advising them against signing Mateta is open to debate. However, it highlights the importance of having experienced and knowledgeable people involved in the transfer process, who can provide valuable insight and advice to clubs when making transfer decisions.

Summary: Sam Allardyce claims he prevented Arsenal from making a mistake by advising against the signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta in 2019. This has sparked a mixed reaction from fans and pundits. While it is difficult to know for sure whether Allardyce’s intervention had any real impact, it reinforces the importance of having experienced people involved in the transfer process. #TECH