Nani, When will he go? And should he?

Statman John

For me he is, I think a match winner can be like you said a player who is capable of that bit of quality when the team is poor which off the top of my head he did this season when he came off the bench just before half time against Reading and changed the game. I also think a match winner is a player who is able to create a piece of magic out of nothing that no one else can like he did with 'that' goal against Arsenal a few years back.

Statman John (U7425)

Not true.. You have a short memory. Can name you so many games he has won us games!

In 09/10 season from the top of my head, he won us the game VS Arsenal, Spurs (that chip), Sunderland, the winner with his shot. Munich, 2 great goals, although we went out. And a few more games, can't remember that far back.

10-11. When we were struggling, team was playing poor. Rooney handed in a request just before bursapoor.. Nani took the mantle in that game and scored a great 35 yard goal to win us the game when we were desperately struggling. Games like Aston Villa, we were losing 2.0 away, Nani provided a great left foot cross for Vidic to header in. He scored a great solo goal VS Bolton and provided a pin point cross for Owen to equalize. Against Spurs, provided a great free kick for Vidic to score and scored than funny winner. Against Stoke, scored a beuty left foot long shot, provided assist for Hernandez. And there are many more. City game as well, scored great goal, provided assist for Rooney to score screamer.

11/12.. Chelsea game comes to mind most. Amazing strike and man of the match game.

Nani is a match winner. No doubt about that.

For me it goes back to the '11 CL final. Seeing Valencia being picked ahead of Nani annoyed me, I know Valencia was arguably in better form at the time but in a one off game against a team of the quality of Barca I wanted a player like Nani to start because he is capable of creating that spark of magic that can unlock the best sides. It is that which IMO makes him a match winner.

OOF

I'm not saying that he hasn't ever won us matches or that he hasn't ever been the difference in games where the team has been playing poorly - I am saying that he hasn't done it enough for me. He is more likely to let you down then step up in my opinion. He doesn't compare to the likes of RVP, Rooney, Giggs, Beckham, Ole, Yorke, Cantona, Scholes etc. who were more likely to deliver that quality when you needed it most.

As I said, I do think that he has a great amount of natural talent. I just don't think that he has the footballing brain and composure to make the most of his natural talent. Hopefully he stays and proves me wrong, but right now I wouldn't be too bothered if he left. But I have a feeling that Moyes will fancy him, as I think he'll play 4231 and Nani is better suited to that than Valencia is.

Statman John (U7425)

I hope you are right because no one wants to see Valencia on the right again.

Statman John

Surely you appreciate there are different levels of match winners, like there are different levels of anything. You say RVP and Rooney are match winners and I would agree but it's true that Messi and Ronaldo are more effective match winners. Nani is a match winner, he can change a game, he can also be frustrating but that doesn't change the fact he is a match winner.

As we have discussed often and I'm sure you are aware of my opinions of Nani, give him games on the right and he will perform. All I want to see is him given a chance.

Next season the main thing I want to see is players playing in their best positions, which means no Giggs in the middle, no Welbeck on the wings, Kagawa can start on the left but not as a winger, Jones and Smalling at CB and Nani on the right wing. I want to see more continuity which I think will bring about a better understanding within the team and a more regular best XI.

I think that we are likely to get that continuity with Moyes to be honest. And I agree that will be a good thing.

Next season the main thing I want to see is players playing in their best positions, which means no Giggs in the middle, no Welbeck on the wings, Kagawa can start on the left but not as a winger, Jones and Smalling at CB and Nani on the right wing. I want to see more continuity which I think will bring about a better understanding within the team and a more regular best XI.
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Nani is capable of "winning matches" out of nothing but how often does he do this? I agree with Statman - not nearly as often as he should.

I can think of as many matches won by Park as I can think of matches won by Nani. There's no doubt that Nani has the talent to be a match winner against any team but he doesn't demonstrate this often enough to be called a "match winner" imo.