DUBAI // Anthony Martial needs to be provided time at Manchester United to prove he can justify his huge price tag, according to Nicolas Anelka.
The 19-year-old France forward made the surprise switch to the Premier League from Ligue 1's Monaco on transfer deadline day last week for an initial £36 million (Dh203.4m), making him the most expensive teenager in world football. The fee could rise to £59m (€80m).
In agreeing to the four-year deal – there is an option for another year – Martial became United’s third costliest player after Angel di Maria and Juan Mata.
The size of the transfer fee has been questioned, since Martial had completed only two full seasons at Monaco. Recruited from Lyon in June 2013, he scored 11 goals in 42 matches across all competitions for the principality club last season. On Monday, Martial made his second appearance for the France national team.
Anelka, the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea striker, is aware of the pressure placed on Martial since he too moved from France to England at a young age. The Frenchman signed for Arsenal in 1997, age 17, for £500,000.
He recognises also the burden of a substantial transfer fee: Anelka joined Madrid for £22m in 1999, a few months after his 20th birthday.
“It’s a crazy money; big, big money and big pressure for him,” said Anelka, currently in Dubai with Mumbai City, the Indian Super League franchise. “I think it’ll be too much pressure for him. Because he’s young he’ll have to prove his value, that he’s worth €80m. It’s going to be tough for him.
“But he’s signing for a good club and I hope they will be able to make him feel he has time to improve and to settle into the club, the league and the country.
“With the money paid, it’s not easy to show straight away what your capabilities are, so United will need to be patient. When you go for this kind of money you don’t get time, but they will have to give him time to become the player they want him to be.”
Anelka said the impact of the transition from France to England should not be underestimated, despite him appearing to settle quickly at Arsenal. Signed in February 1997, he was awarded a regular starting berth the following November and went on to play an integral role in the North London side’s 1997/98 Premier League and FA Cup double-winning team.
Anelka, though, says Martial’s price tag means he will have to adapt even faster to the English top flight.
“It’s hard, very hard,” Anelka said. “It took me one year to become good on the pitch and also happy both on the pitch and outside it. It’s not easy. And even more so for Martial because when I came I cost £500,000. Now it’s €80m.
“So it’s going to be hard for him. The expectation will be big and everyone will recognise him as the most expensive transfer in England. It’s a big pressure.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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