Arsenal FC’s Hector Bellerin is believed to be offered a new long-term contract by the club, amidst talks of a potential return to boyhood club Barcelona, a la Cesc Fabregas.
The prodigious right-back who dazzled last season in the absence of the injured Mathieu Debuchy, is . set to be offered a new long-term contract in the coming weeks. The 20-year-old has already confirmed he has no intention of returning to Barcelona, from where he arrived at Arsenal FC back in 2011, as part of the Cesc Fabregas deal.
Bellerin, who signed his first professional contract with the North London club in 2013, will now be offered a much improved contract believed to keep him at the club till 2019.
“If I had wanted to play there I would have stayed there” – Hector Bellerin on a potential return to Barcelona
Bellerin, a graduate of Barcelona’s famous La Masia, was signed by Arsene Wenger, as part of the Cesc Fabregas deal, which saw the Spaniard return to his boyhood club, after 8 years with the Gunners. When quizzed about whether Bellerin would follow in the path of Cesc Fabregas, the 20-year-old said:
a If I had wanted to play there I would have stayed there in the first place. The fact that I came to Arsenal means that I want to play here.
“For me, the job has just started. It was my first season playing for the first team and obviously I am not thinking about going anywhere else. I just want to cement my place in the first team, get more games and hopefully stay a long time.a
Arsenal FC are currently in Singapore on their pre-season tour participating in the Barclays Asia trophy, where they are scheduled to play Everton in the finals on Sunday, after beating Singapore Select XI 4-0 in the first match. Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s clash against Everton, Bellerin threw light on how he was convinced to join Arsenal FC after manager Arsene Wenger personally met him at the Emirates, a night before a Premier League match against arch-rivals Manchester United in 2011.
a I had a really good experience at Barcelona but, at 16, the train came,a he said. a It was a hard decision but, as soon as the moment Arsenal said they wanted me and I chatted to the boss, saw the training ground, saw where I was going to live, I had it in my mind I was going to come.
a I didna t doubt it. It was hard for the fact I had to leave my family and friends, my country, but I look back now. Ia m really happy that I did it. I know the boss is a man who likes to bring up young players. I remember exactly the chat and that was the moment I decided to come.
“I knew if I was doing well he would give me the chance and thata s how it was. Ia m really pleased he gave me the chances and the trust.a
The 20-year-old also made headlines last season, after breaking Theo Walcott’s Arsenal FC 40m sprint record, and he believes he can better it this time around, having worked on his legs and body.
a There are a few players trying to get the record off me,a he said. a Ia ve been working hard during the summer and the whole of last season, training the power in my legs and my body. They are probably going to be happy to beat my last record but dona t know I have it in my pocket now.a
Spain and Arsenal FC’s right-back for the next decade?
The former winger, has impressed for the first team last season, showing composure far beyond his age, and with lightning speed, he can contribute effectively in both attack and defense, however, the young Spaniard still needs to work on his defensive responsibilities.
Arsene Wenger is likely to want to hold on to the Spaniard and tie him up with a long-term contract, to avoid any potential suitors. The 20-year-old has the potential to become one of the world’s finest right-back’s and under the tutelage of Monsieur Wenger, there are plenty of reasons why he could realize that potential.