Samir Nasri shrugs off Zidane tag
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Samir Nasri, who is set to join Arsenal, is not the first young Frenchman to be hailed as the new Zinedine Zidane and he probably won't be the last. Camel Meriem, of Monaco, and Bologna's Mourad Meghni were once handed that poisoned chalice before their careers nosedived. Current internationals Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have also drawn comparisons, but for all their talent neither plays in the same position nor possesses the same characteristics as the great man. Nasri, to a certain extent at least, does.
This summer, as Les Bleus enter a major championship without Zidane for the first time since 1996, Nasri will be among those trying to fill an immense void.
Ever since starring in France's European Under-17 Championship triumph in 2004, the Marseille-born playmaker, who is poised to sign for Arsene Wenger's side for £12 million, has been earmarked as Zidane's successor. "His fluency in possession reminds me of Zidane," said Philippe Bergeroo, coach of the 2004 winners, while former Marseille coach Albert Emon says: "Nasri has the same ability to read the game as 'Zizou'." Nasri's background is also remarkably similar to Zidane's. Like the former Real Madrid star, the 20-year-old has Algerian parents and grew up in one of Marseille's tough northern suburbs. Their families even share mutual friends and Zidane has become one of Nasri's biggest fans.
"Samir has amazing intelligence for someone his age," the former France captain said. "He's always involved, he's quick, has two good feet and excellent vision."
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zidane = zidane
nasri = nasri
full stop.
