Hector Bellerin has been a revelation since breaking into the Arsenal first team a couple of years ago, and after signing a new long term contract earlier this season it seemed like he was set to be an Arsenal legend of the future, but since then things have started to go downhill.
He has had some niggling injuries and even he admitted that he was not as efficient as last season, and now he is spending most of his time on the Gunners bench since Wenger changed his formation and he could be becoming frustrated with his missed opportunities. Now his agent has admitted that there are still big clubs interested in the young Spaniard despite the new contract, but none of them is his hometown club Barcelona.
His agent Albert Botines explained Bellerin’s situation like this. “Before he signed his renewal there were six or seven clubs interested in him, and that made him understand he was doing the right things,” Botines said.
“After he signed the renewal there were only two or three clubs who kept up their interest in Bellerin, and I have to say I only received one offer for him and it is not from Barcelona.
“I have read lots of things about this supposed interest from Barcelona but it has been a long time since the club last called me.
“You never know what is going to happen in the future in the football world and of course he signed a renewal with a view to stay at Arsenal for a long time.
“But you never know, maybe there’s a club who likes him and things change. I can’t guarantee anything about the future but the natural thing would be for him to stay because he has signed a renewal.”
“This season he has had good times and bad times, he started pretty well and was able to sign a long contract on very favourable terms with the intention of staying long-term,”
“This season was hard after the Champions League elimination, it is true there’s a cup final to play and that will make this disappointment easier to accept.
“The injury in his ankle didn’t allow him to show his best form like in the previous season, and in addition he felt an injury relapse after receiving a hit during a game with Spain Under-21s.
“It is true he is playing less than last season but there’s nothing strange about that because it is part of a footballer’s life and he knows that.
“Of course he wants to play more often but he understands that he suffered some difficulties during this season and will work hard to become an important player for the team again.”
So it sounds like Bellerin is happy to fight for his place, but if Wenger (or the next manager) intends to carry on with the new 3-4-3 setup, could it be even harder for Hector to get more chances in his preferred position. Do you think the Gunners should cash in on Bellerin or hope he goes back to his old form next season?
Darren N