Can Ajax and Belgium supporters describe the qualities of Thomas Vermaelen?
It is one summer overdue but finally Arsene Wenger went out into the transfer market and bought Arsenal a much needed centre-back: the Ajax Amsterdam captain and Belgian international, Thomas Vermaelen.
It would be great for readers and visitors to our site if Ajax or Belgium supporters could let us know what this guy is like as a player and a personality? Is he comparable to any current premier league centre-backs?
Personally, I am hoping that Vermaelen has fighting spirit and leadership qualities similar to a John Terry or Tony Adams. Does he have this type of character?
It would be great to know this sort of detail from regular Vermaelen watchers!?
posted by T at 6/20/2009 01:03:00 pm
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16 Comments:
Oh Dear, some wishful thinking there!
With Wengers Track record at buying defenders you're more likely to have a Senderos than an Adams!
6/20/2009 1:49 pm
Probably a spurs supporter. Vermalen is mustard!
6/20/2009 1:53 pm
Every start of every season the same old shit from the same old shit/spus with the same results.
This guy is the nuts, trust me ive seen him play for years and am so glad for him that hes joining Arsenal,just a shame to see him leave us. ;(
6/20/2009 3:27 pm
too small
6/20/2009 3:30 pm
If he's as good as some of these comments we will be in for a treat :)
6/20/2009 4:35 pm
im Belgian and have seen him play many times.
He isn't the best defender around and he is quite slow as in pace.
he is a good football thinker but his main downfall is his weakness with aerial balls. if you hoof to him, he looks really suspect...like very. You will see as he likes to let the ball bounce.
paying 10mil you got ripped off big time.
6/20/2009 4:36 pm
iam ajax fan from holland living in london,vermalen is just what arsenal need he is a brave tenacious defender who loves crunching takles,he will have no problems adapting to pemier,is threat from corners aswell
6/20/2009 4:39 pm
hello everyone. Itsh me, clogsh from amsterdamsh. You guysh just signed a great defender. Maybe the besht
6/20/2009 6:04 pm
"If Thierry wrote about football, he would write for EliteFootballTalk."
lolwut?
6/20/2009 7:37 pm
his name rhymes with germalene so he must be the answer to arsenal wounds
6/21/2009 2:00 am
Quote:"He isn't the best defender around and he is quite slow as in pace. he is a good football thinker but his main downfall is his weakness with aerial balls."
Who the hell have you been watching?? cos it isnt Vermaelen.. One of his strong points is his ability in the air!! and he has amazing timing into challenges.. worth every penny in my opinion
6/21/2009 12:18 pm
What excellent comments, I suspect that a number of them are from the same person...how really pathetic. they should put your picture on here to show the morons who post such rubbish.
I havent heard of this guy before Arsenal were rumoured to be interested and suddenly he is an aspiring star! Just like Walcott, no one knew anything about him unti arsenal went in there and suddenly he is a star. TW is still yet to be thoroughly proven, really havent seen much of TW that has out-produced what the likes of Hleb, Ljungberg, and Bendtner have.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Vermaelen - says he 'plays for Arsenal'!!! Hasn't put on a Gooner shirt yet!! think it's a case of getting excited as a Gooner because it's an AW buy. He must be good! What happens to Gallas or Toure? Has Gallas cried his last game? Is Toure moving on? Is this guy whatever his name is going to be a bencher? Tune in next time for more info, folks, as the Gooner purchase mill rumbles on, with more exciting rubbish comments about a player's sexuality and the like.
6/21/2009 12:30 pm
OK - some of these comments are what they are - not enlightening and definitely not meant to be. I would prefer if this type of humour was kept elsewhere...
Thanks to the guys who have put forward informed opinions on Vermaelen. A few in definite favour - at least one not convinced.
Wenger's description of him having a 'positive winner's mentality' is maybe the most telling quote from Arsenal website on Friday - such a phrase brings hopes that he will be an agressive and positive leader at the back... an antidote to the worst aspects of Gallas and the somewhat fragile mentality of Senderos.
Hopefully he'a centre-back who would relish a battle against a Drogba and who loves to win an aerial challenge. And hopefully he has a character that brings the best out of Gallas?!
A lot of hopes - and I wish him all the best!
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6/24/2009 8:27 pm
Good question T - I know nothing about our new signing, but my observation is just that he was CAPTAIN of Ajax...despite the Gallas antics...captains are chosen for a reason, so I feel that is certainly positive. A team has a winning MENTALITY, not just skillful players! An international player is always useful as well, though in our case it's a bit of a poisoned chalice!
Thanks to all who contributed, even the lighthearted comments! At least we have bolstered our team in the right area!
7/03/2009 2:21 pm
Nice one Nturtle - good to see your comment!
T
7/06/2009 5:25 pm
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