Arsenal loves him, but he is too high priced
Curtis Davies is familar with East London having worked in a Shell station at Chingford. The wages he earned would pay for his fare to Luton, the club he played for before the Baggies spirited him away for a record £3m on transfer deadline day last August.
He was the outstanding player for the Baggies in an otherwise horribly disappointing season for Bryan Robson’s boys who remained in danger of being relegated from the EPL.
Now, he is one of the most sought after defenders in the English League, with a going rate of £12m. In a year he is appreciated his worth 400%. Arsene Wenger would dearly love to have him with all the problems that the Arsenal defence has been having, but his price is a bit too high. Portsmouth’s £8.5m club-record bid was dismissed by the West Brom board.
Davies really impressed in the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal at Highbury. His reading of the match, ““For two minutes at the start of that game Henry stood still, like a statue, which I found weird,” Davies remembers. “After that you just had to try to keep tabs on him. Arsenal tried to knock a lot of balls in behind for him but I was able to read most of them and, because I’m quite fast, was also able to stay in touch with him. Once in the corner he tried to nutmeg me but, luckily, I got my leg there and that gave me confidence. I probably produced the best individual performance of my career in that game because, if you’re playing against Henry, you’re going to be especially focused. But I’m one of those players who believe you should be juiced up for every game.”
He is not going anywhere but his statements have left the door open a little for other clubs, and Arsenal should keep that mind. Wenger is left with not many options, with a pretty banged up defense. Gael Clichy is frequently injured and so is Lauren.
Davies is being compared to Rio, Paul McGrath, and Des Walker. He has Walker’s pace and athleticism and McGrath’s ability to read a game, all requisites for a successful centre back. For me, an equally important attribute is his work ethic and that head on the shoulders humility that his father instilled in him.
Theo Walcott is being offered in the Davies transfer deal. Cash and a player with the potential calibre of Walcott should sound like a really good offer to the Baggies.