Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey Worth Whatever Paul Pogba Is

In light of Paul Pogba’s return to Old Trafford, could it be argued that Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is worthy of a similar price tag?

Manchester United has completed their transfer of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record transfer fee of £89m/€105m which could potentially increase through several add-on clauses. Pogba joins on a five-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

Thus ends one of the transfer window’s longest sagas.

Pogba, 23, was with Juventus for four seasons, making 124 appearances and scoring 28 goals. He joined the Bianconeri from United in 2012 having made just seven senior appearances in all competitions for the Premier League club, all from the bench.

The midfielder has been capped by France on 38 occasions, scoring six goals and was a member of the recent squad that reached the final of Euro 2016.

Upon rejoining United, Pogba said:

"“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with José Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”"

This is what United manager José Mourinho had to say:

"“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”"

Whilst watching Sky Sports News’ coverage of the imminent record breaking transfer, I truly agreed with what expert pundit Graeme Souness had to say;

“It’s too much money. The player didn’t set the fee but it is too much money. Historically the biggest transfer fees were spent on strikers with maybe 30 goals a season, the ones that would win you so many games.

“For me, I’m yet to be convinced. He has a great deal of potential, found him at a great age but 105m Euros is too much for me for what he has shown to me last year and at the Euros. I think you can get kidded by him because he is such a wonderful athlete when he moves he is so smooth he’s like a Rolls Royce, but I’m yet to be convinced.

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“I’ve never seen him get hold of a game and dominate a game. I’ve seen him flit in and out of games but he is only 23. Any way you dress it up €105m for a midfield player is too much money. I don’t see him changing that many games.”

I entirely agree. If you sign a player for €105m you expect him to be a game changer. At present, there are only a few players in world football who can be deemed truly worthy of that label; Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez and Bale. Besides them I don’t think anyone else is worthy of €105m.

Souness’ comments also got me thinking about whether any other world class midfielder could possibly warrant such a hefty transfer fee and for some reason, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey came to mind.

I realize that some of you may think that this is preposterous but hear me out.

If you look at pure statistics, Aaron Ramsey’s best season at Arsenal is far superior to that of Paul Pogba’s:

Paul Pogba’s Best Statistical Season (Juventus, 2015/16) –

52 Games
10 Goals
12 Assists

Aaron Ramsey’s Best Statistical Season (Arsenal, 2013/14) –

34 Games
16 Goals
9 Assists

Please take into consideration that Ramsey did all that despite missing three months and 20 games of Arsenal’s 2013/14 season due to injury.