Ben Foster Critiques Arsenal's Sale of Leandro Trossard
Ben Foster has torn into Arsenal’s decision to cash in on Leandro Trossard – and then backed Manchester United to ride a late-season surge all the way to the Premier League title.
The former England goalkeeper admitted he “can’t believe” the champions allowed such an “influential” figure to walk out of the Emirates this summer, with Trossard swapping north London for Besiktas in a £15.3 million deal.
‘I don’t like the Trossard sale’
Trossard was no fringe man in Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. The Belgian, 31, chipped in with six goals and six assists in the league as Mikel Arteta’s side finally ended their 22-year wait to lift the trophy.
After two-and-a-half seasons in London, Trossard made it clear he wanted a new challenge. Arsenal, wary of losing him for less down the line and keen to refresh the squad, sanctioned the move to Turkish giants Besiktas.
Foster, speaking on talkSPORT, didn’t hide his frustration.
“I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,” he said. “I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.”
Arsenal had prepared for the exit. Christos Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge in a £34m deal, billed as the like-for-like replacement on the left flank. The Greece international has already had a taste of English football with Norwich City, but that two-year spell hardly lit up the Premier League.
Now he walks into a title-winning dressing room with a hefty fee on his shoulders and a clear mandate: replace a proven contributor in a side that expects to win every week.
Arsenal also aimed higher. They pushed for a statement signing in Vinicius Junior and were optimistic about luring the Brazilian away from Real Madrid until late in the window. Vinicius instead committed his future to the Bernabeu with a new long-term contract, leaving a question hanging over whether the Gunners will pivot to another attacking target before the deadline.
Foster hails Guimaraes and Tielemans
One big arrival Foster does approve of is Bruno Guimaraes’ move to Manchester United.
“Big signing, I like him a lot,” the ex-United keeper said, underlining the Brazilian’s importance to what he believes could be a genuine title tilt at Old Trafford.
For Foster, the business that really jumps off the page is United’s capture of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. The Belgian midfielder, brought in for around £30–35m, is, in his eyes, the standout deal of the window so far.
“What a bit of business,” Foster said. “I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far.
“For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.”
He still sees a glaring gap, though.
“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker. The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.”
United backed to edge ‘wide open’ title race
Foster looks at the new season and sees chaos at the top. No dominant favourite. No obvious runaway.
“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” he admitted.
The former Manchester United stopper, however, believes the momentum under Michael Carrick is real. The end-of-season resurgence has convinced him that United’s players now understand what is demanded of them.
“Last season’s form has set into motion a style of play and an expectation of what those players have to deliver week in, week out for Manchester United,” he said.
Pressed to name a champion, Foster didn’t duck it.
“I’m going to say Manchester United,” he declared. “If they can add another one or two then Manchester United are definitely within a shout, but they need to add one or two big ones.
“The problem nowadays is that if you’re going to add one or two big ones then it’s £200m. Liverpool need a couple of big ones!”
So Arsenal lose a player Foster calls “influential”, gamble on Tzolis and miss out on Vinicius. United, in his eyes, nail the market with Tielemans, land Guimaraes and sit one elite striker away from a title charge.
If Foster is right, the balance of power could hinge on who blinks first in the final weeks of the window – and who is willing to pay that £100m premium for the missing piece.
