Bundesliga expert Derek Rae looks impressed with the work done by Stuttgart Sporting Director Sven Mislintat at the club. Rae was talking about the loan-deal sealed by Mislintat for Arsenal center-back Konstantinos Mavropanos. While speaking to the Highbury Squad, Rae who also commentates in the German league labelled Mavropanos-to-Stuttgart a ‘masterstroke’.
Sven Mislintat was recruitment head at Arsenal, before joining Stuttgart. In his brief spell of 14 months, Mislintat signed a total of eight players for the gunners. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Mavropanos were all Mislintat’s signings. While some were hits, some were misses. However, the misses are impressing elsewhere.
Mavropanos was loaned out to Stuttgart as Arsenal deemed him not ready enough for the premier league. But it seems the center-back is not in the plans of Mikel Arteta at all. However, that has not derailed Mavropanos’ development as he is excelling in the Bundesliga.
Derek Rae was lauding Mavropanos as well as Mislintat, who signed the Greek international for Stuttgart as soon as he left Arsenal. Sven Mislintat included a buy option as well in the loan deal of £2.5 million if Stuttgart avoided the relegation. Rae emphasized on the same, revealing that Stuttgart fans conveyed him that they are ‘grateful’ to have Mavropanos.
What has Rae to say about the ex-Arsenal man Sven Mislintat
Mavropanos has been a crucial player for Stuttgart at the back. The center-back helped the club to a ninth place finish last season, whereas chipping in with 4 goals this term. It is quite understandable why Rae was praising the £2.5 million buy option, as Mavropanos’ current market value stands at £15 million.
Rae said, “He has been good with Stuttgart. You have to say that has been a bit of a masterstroke by their Sporting Director, who you will remember very well, Sven Mislintat. Mislintat was, of course, at Arsenal, but didn’t stay there that long. But he has done a good job there at Stuttgart. Mislintat has had to work on a budget, buying players and then selling them on”.
Derek further added, “Mavropanos, the reason I say masterstroke because they managed to get this deal whereby they will get him automatically on a buy option for €3m, if they stay up. Now, it is touch-and-go if Stuttgart will stay up, at the moment. But, even if they get relegated, they still have the option to buy him for €3m”.
“Whether he’s good enough to be an Arsenal regular, I am not so sure. But he has, for the most part, been very good with Stuttgart. Playing on the right-hand side, a lot of the time of a back three. Commanding and when he seems to score goals, they seem to be spectacular”.
Mavropanos plans to return to Arsenal, but looks quite difficult he becomes a regular there. Ben White and Gabriel have formed a solid partnership are here to stay for a long-time. Though Mavropanos does look a better back-up than Rob Holding, William Saliba cannot be forgotten as well.
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