Nolito: An injury that smells like a punishment
September 23, 2015. Manuel Agudo - better known as Nolito - was the idol of Balaidos, transfer target for Barcelona and a man on Arsenal manager Arsene’s Wenger’s wish list.
Four and a half months later, it’s unlikely he will play against Barcelona this weekend at Camp Nou (Sunday, 20.30h CET). An eternal muscle injury - two months out since December 12 - and the winter transfer market have put a stop to the Celta Vigo forward’s brilliant form.
Celta beat Barcelona 4-1 on that night in September and Nolito opened the scoring with a golazo. At the time, he was among the top scorers in La Liga and the best players.
Arsenal started the race for his signature and were reportedly ready to pay the 18 million euro release clause to complete the transfer. Celta had tried to prolong Nolito’s contract until 2020 and increase his release clause, but the agreement to do so remaind a verbal one. And Barça, tempted by the treasure, wanted to sign him too, as a replacement for Pedro.
December 12, 2015. Nolito picked up an injury in a game against Espanyol. It was a hamstring problem in his right leg. As with all muscle injuries, it needed time - what didn’t help was the stress and anxiety being generated by the reports about his future.
It’s been 14 games since the Andalusian was injured and he’s still not ready to return - Celta Vigo play Sevilla on Thursday night in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg and Barça this weekend.
As more time passes, Nolito’s injury begins to smell like a ‘cold war’ keeping in mind the player’s frustration at not returning to Camp Nou. Are Celta making him pay for not signing his new contract nor accepting to move to Arsenal? He already said in August last year he would only leave Celta for Barça. A Barça who couldn’t even secure him on loan on the final day of the winter transfer market…
