Mario Mandzukic wants EPL move – Chelsea and Arsenal on alert

Mario Mandzukic is a victim of the reality that comes with playing for Bayern Munich – everyone in the Bundesliga eventually wants a shot at playing for the Bavarian giants.  As such, their acquisition of Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund on a free move has prompted the Croatian striker to call his time in southern Germany.

"Mandzukic’s 2013/2014 performance data Bundesliga: 30 appearances/18 goals/6 assistsChampions League: 10 appearances/3 goals/3 assistsGerman Cup: 4 appearances/4 goals/1 assistClub World Cup: 2 appearances/1 goal/0 assistsUEFA Super Cup: 1 appearance/0 goals/0 assistsGerman Super Cup: 1 appearance/0 goals/0 assistsTotal – 48 appearances/26 goals/10 assists"

It can hardly be argued that Mandzukic has not been prolific for Bayern.  All told, he has 48 goals in 88 appearances since his move from Vfl Wolfsburg in 2012.  More impressive has been his domestic form – 33 goals in just 54 appearances.  Despite his fantastic strike rate, Pep Guardiola still thought it prudent to bring in Lewandowski.  It is hard to argue that the Polish striker is not the better of the two, and considering he was acquired on a free, Bayern have once again stolen the best player from their closest rival two years running.

Once their enemy, Lewandowski (left) will now wear the famous Bayern shirt next season, causing Mandzukic to consider other options. Mandatory Credit: Matthias Hangst/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports

The capture of Lewandowski has no doubt been seen as a slap in the face to Mandzukic, who has certainly been unofficially told that he will be no more than an option off the bench for Guardiola.  Unsatisfied (and who can blame him), he has put both Chelsea and Arsenal on alert as he looks to leave the Bundesliga for the Premier League.  Unfortunately however, it is by no means a guarantee that a move to either club would be beneficial.

The highly anticipated confirmation of Diego Costa’s 32million pound move from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea is growing closer by the day (full story here) and it appears Jose Mourinho finally has the world class striker the Blues have coveted since Didier Drogba.  The move has already put Romelu Lukaku’s stay at the club in doubt, with the Belgian wanting to feature as a club’s first rate striker, so why would Mandzukic consider Chelsea?  Surely Costa will be the man to lead the line, and Mandzukic would be subjected the same role at Chelsea that he is currently being offered in Munich.

As for Arsenal, a move to north London would seem far more prudent, but the question then becomes two fold;  1. Will Arsene Wenger cease in his attempts to capture Karim Benzema from Real Madrid in favor of a move for Mandzukic?, and 2.  Can Wenger see beyond his love affair with Olivier Giroud and see any potential in Mandzukic?  Arsenal supporters are divided on Giroud, with some feeling he makes the grade, while others feel the Gunners could do much better.

Mandzukic is not the world-class striker Arsenal crave, but is he a step up in class over Giroud?  How does he further compare to Chelsea-bound Costa, or Wenger’s flavor of the past few years in Benzema?

"Costa v Giroud v Mandzukic v Benzema (stat totals are combined domestic league and Champions League)key: spm – shots per match / mpg = minutes per goalCosta: 44 apps – 35 goals – 7 assists – 3.1 spm – 90.5 mpgGiroud: 43 apps – 19 goals – 10 assists – 2.9 spm – 253.5 mpgMandzukic: 40 apps – 21 goals – 9 assists – 2.5 spm – 164 mpgBenzema: 46 apps – 22 goals – 15 assists – 2.6 spm – 171.5 mpg"

A simple look at the stats above reveal that Mandzukic and Giroud are more or less even (despite Giroud’s streakiness in front of goal) – is Wenger likely to spend money on a player who statistically is near identical to what he has? Surely not.  As for the comparison Costa, well, there is none.  To make matters worse for Mandzukic, he is also on a level playing field with Benzema in shots per match, minutes per goal and goals scored, but Benzema is a little more creative as Mandzukic is a classic target man.  Further points go to Benzema for his pre-existing chemistry with both Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud, an addition in his footballing dossier which seems to justify Wenger’s continued interest in the player.

His desire to occupy a starting birth for a top club is by no means unreasonable, but if Mandzukic wants to come to a club to be the first choice option rather than simply be in the rotation, he will have to look elsewhere.  I’m sorry, gospodin Mario, but unfortunately for you, the Premier League may just have to wait.