Although injuries have hampered Smith Rowe’s playing time, another, harsher reality has been the competition he’s faced, resulting in starting only four of the last 31 games he’s for which he’s been available, he has started only four of them. He’s sat rooted to the bench for 28 matches, an unused sub watching on as Martinelli, Trossard, and Havertz dominate the positions from which Smith Rowe had started to dazzle in the first place. Not even Havertz’s move to the top of the line created any space for Smith Rowe in the attacking midfield; instead, it’s Declan Rice taking up on the left midfield in our 4-3-3 formation, further crowding Smith Rowe out of the starting XI.
Part of the conundrum is that Smith Rowe just isn’t good enough to supplant any of the aforementioned players, but another, perhaps-larger part is that Arteta doesn’t seem to rate or trust him. Even in matches in which we’ve decimated opponents, he doesn’t turn to Smith Rowe despite knowing how useful it would be to rest the likes of Rice or Ødegaard or even Saka. The kid’s versatile enough to play almost any attacking position but can’t crack the lineup. It’s a sign of how much the squad has improved and how much more competitive there is for playing time.
Now, rumours are emerging that Fulham might be interested in acquiring Smith Rowe. Given that whatever we might sell him for would be pure profit, that he’s home-grown, and that he arguably still has his best years ahead of him, what’s the minimum we’d accept? Transfermarkt estimates his current market value to be a mere £18.5m, down from a high of £35m at the close of that 21-22 season (having surged from just £10 at the start of it). Fulham owner Shahid Khan hasn’t shown much interest in investing in the squad. The club’s record signing, jean Michel Seri, cost around £26m in 2019. That doesn’t inspire much optimism.
While there’s sure to be some sentiment around a Hale End product, such sentiment can’t stand in the way of doing what’s right for the club. In this case, what’s right for the club might be what’s also right for the player. Sitting on the bench does nothing for either party; selling him on frees up a roster spot, brings in some amount of cash, and gives the player a better chance at regular playing time, maybe even a starting role. If anything. Those who want Smith Rowe to succeed should want him to be sold.
What could we expect or extract from Fulham, given Khan’s parsimonious nature—£15m? £20m? He’s just 24 and could yet become a very, very good player. It’s a shame that Arteta hasn’t given him much of a chance to prove his worth here or at least in the transfer market. As a result, we may have to settle for something on the lower end of our hopes.
As for you, what’s the minimum you’d accept to sell Smith Rowe? Share your thoughts in the comments-section below…
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