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Germany, the leading country in EU, is known for its Nützlichkeit or utility. Be it your Städtler stationary or the reliable car firm Volkswagen.
And die Mannschaft are no different. From playing their metronomic captain Lahm in DM to frequently deploying No.9’s in the shades of Götze, Rolls Reus & Schurrle they mix style woth substance. In the same breath you could put the sweeper keeper extradonaire, Manuel Neuer, and his former teammate Benedikt Höwedes.
FIFA’s official website describes Höwedes as “a true defensive all-rounder, as he can proficiently play anywhere across the back four of defense on the football pitch”.
That is what makes all the top coaches around EU flash their cheque-book at the experienced WC winner Benedeikt Höwedes.
A homegrown Schalke product, Höwedes joined the club in 2001. He captained and won the U19 Bundesliga in 2003 with the Gelsenkirchens. He was crowned with the Fritz Walter Medal in 2006-7 by DFB, an award for being the best in his age group.
The Schalke captain has been a consistent performer for the faithful, making 28 appearance in Bundesliga this season. Interestingly, he played the same position in the WC as he did for his debut for Schalke, at left-back. Though he started as a defensive midfielder, his defensive assiduousness convinced his coaches he is earmarked for a more responsible position as a stopper.
He has won 80% of his duels this season in 28 league matches, a very impressive stat considering Bundesliga’s physical nature of play. Howedes’ strength lies in his successful turnovers in 1 v 1 duels, tackling ability and no-nonsense style of play.
His physical strength is commendable and he has won 60% of his headed duels. One area he will improve is with his successful turnovers in tackles, which is only a meagre 36%. It partly is a result of Roberto di Matteo’s gung-ho style this season and Schalke 04’s lack a ‘Coq’ in the centre of the park.
At 6ft 2 he has a fine heading ability, often turning up in the scoring charts for his team. He has a calm demeanour on the ball and is a very good ball-playing defender.
OUR VERDICT:
If Arsene is going to buy a defender, Höwedes is the perfect pick.
Considering we have Chambers we should avoid signing a CB to aid the young chick in the nest to become a full-blooded beast.
Gud nd perfect pick dat is ,if AW is impressed nd willing to commit nd go along wit d reasoning of fans agitations! AW is a queer singleminded sure footed professional who believes in doing wat ordinary mortals regard as imposible.my reading of him is dat he believes he has d wherewithal to achieve his goals wit d talents in his present Arsenal.I won’t b suprised if Cech is his only signning of note dis summer,odas he might be considered In January afta observing his performance over d 1st half of d season.truth is d team is actually loaded wit talents quality nd depth already , let’s hope dey remain injury free nd are all fit to start d season at full trottle, dats wat AW is banking on.let’s wish him LUCK!!