Filed under: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Football, Transfer News, Introductions
There is much to live up to when you're dubbed the German Messi though Marko Marin, the Werder Bremen winger and transfer target for a host of clubs reportedly including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, appears comfortable with the comparison.Of course there is more to it than Marin's relative lack of stature - he stands 5' 7" tall (at full stretch, mind, as some have sugested he is 5' 6").
The 22-year-old was born in the former Yugoslavia but grew up in Germany where he has lived since the age of two. A Germany international, Marin has scored once in the 16 appearances he has made for his adopted country though it is his club form that has attracted attention. In the 64 appearances he has made for Werder Bremen since moving from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2009, he has scored 27 times.
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By way of an introduction, here are five factoids (descriptions doubtless featuring varying degrees of accuracy) about Marin:
- "Marko Marin, who owns a pug called Ceca and cites Mehmet Scholl as his idol, is often compared to Lionel Messi in Germany. Although that would currently flatter any player, he does boast a skill set to give master masticator Sir Alex Ferguson something to chew on.
"Jan Gunther, a Werder Bremen fan and reporter for German football broadcasters Radio 90 Elf, is clear on where Marin's real strengths lie: 'He belongs without doubt to the Bundesliga's best dribblers,' he says. His delivery into the box is good too, which separates him from some of England's speed merchants. Although right-footed, he is adept on both wings and has a decent dead-ball repertoire to boot. At 1.69 metres tall, he is the scuttling Yorkie to Giggs' silver-muzzled greyhound." (Sabotage Times)
- "While his nickname 'The German Messi' correctly hints at both his small size and his exciting dribbling skills, it portrays an inaccurate assessment of Marin's true value and abilities and provides an unfair comparison with one of the best players in the history of the game. Seriously, who thinks of these nicknames?
"With 4 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga this season, Marin has had the unenviable task of inheriting Mesut Ozil's creative responsibilities for Werder Bremen. While he is more of a wide player than the departed Madrid man was, Marin has filled in admirably, showing excellent pace, teamwork and technical ability. Comfortable on either wing, Marin can also play centrally when required and uses his clever movement to create space.
"Many wingers have an outstanding element to their game - Robben and Hulk cut in to shoot, Ribery takes players on down the flanks, Mata values possession most highly and chooses simple pass options while making his more aggressive runs without the ball, often attempting 1-2 combinations with his teammates.
"Marin, while not truly outstanding in any department, has a bit of everything to his game. He can play the telling pass, recycle possession neatly a la Maxi Rodriguez, take a player on with speed or skill, and produce accurate crosses from either flank." (Paisley Gates)
- "Whether this slight figure of a man is striking the ball sweetly around the park, bursting into space between defenders, or gliding, ball at feet, past flat-footed opponents, fans tend to be left open-mouthed in amazement.
Marko Marin can only be described as one of the uncut diamonds of German football, an attacking player who mostly operates on the wing and is capable of turning matches in a trice." (German Football Team)
- "Marin gives a new meaning to the word versatile, as he is capable of playing anywhere in the attack. Only for Bremen he has played as a winger, striker and in a central attacking role.
"Marin has often been criticized for the lack of his physical strength, and this was the only reason for him to be forced out of the Frankfurt youth academy, where the coaches felt he lacked the necessary attributes to be a football player. (Bettor.com)
- "He is nicknamed 'Matchbox' by the Gladbach fans due to his tiny frame. He is only 1m 69 and weighs in at 60kg so it is unlikely that he is going to win many aerial battles against the likes of Marcelo Bordon or Lucio, but he possesses excellent technical skill and is a very creative individual.
"He is a 'flair' player with great vision and his trickery down the wing has had comparisons even with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. However, there is a danger that comes with being labelled the next 'Wunderkid'." (Goal.com)
In his own words:
"I want to stay at Werder. I feel good at Bremen," Marin said. "I have never had the urge to leave. I want to be successful here, and that is my only aim.
"If the club receives an offer and decides to sell me, that is another situation. Until then I am happy here."
(The Independent)
And finally, a few clips of Marin in action:
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