Will Arsenal's Struggling Almeria Loanee Wellington Silva Rebuild His Career?
Struggling to make a meaningful impact on loan at Almeria, Wellington Silva has reminded everyone he is still on the Arsenal payroll, but can he reverse his career downturn?
"I am not going to worry about my future and my only desire right now is to help Almeria preserve their La Liga status," Wellington said, per The Telegraph. "[Though], I could go back to Arsenal next season if [Arsene] Wenger wants me to."
The words "could" and "if" show you Wellington does not have the courage of convictions to state: "I will be a Gunner."
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His belief, confidence and swagger has withdrawn gradually having grafted on loan without adulation at minnows: Levante, Alcoyano, Ponferradina, Real Murcia and Almeria.
| RAM/LAM | Brazil | 21 | 5'7" | 143 lbs |
Wellington should shudder and shake his head when discovering English media outlets like the Daily Mail, the Metro and The Independent have labelled him the "new Neymar."
- Perception: ringing endorsement.
- Reality: backhanded compliment.
It is a pungent reminder to Wellington that his career has stalled hence why he is missing out on the fame, riches and superstar perks ex-teammate Neymar is experiencing.
For six days in Nigeria at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Wellington and Neymar were in the same boat: both failed to receive recognition as an "outstanding player" by the FIFA technical study group.
Nigerian Stanley Okoro scored two more goals and accumulated five more assists than Neymar but can't even get into the Almeria first team.
Wellington was not even the best Wellington in the Brazilian U-17 squad.
Wellington Nem was highlighted by the FIFA TSG as a "hard-running left winger with good dribbling skills and vision," whereas Wellington Silva only played 28 minutes, 183 minutes less than Nem.
A year later, a public campaign with the backing of Brazilian legends Pele, Romario and Zico insisted Neymar, then 18, be included in Dunga's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad (it fell on deaf ears).
It would be a turning point of Neymar's epic rise.
Meanwhile, Wellington's Fluminense career was marred by accusations of being a diva.
"[Wellington] misses training, arrives late and argues with his father," then-Fluminense manager Muricy Ramalho said, per Jon Cotterill at FourFourTwo. "He needs to become a [professional] player because [right now] he still isn't one."
Fluminense agreed to sell Wellington to Arsenal for €4.4/£3.5 million in January 2010.
In hindsight, the Gunners should have waited a month and signed then 15-year-old Raheem Sterling from Queens Park Rangers for €634,654/£500,000 (ended up being a bargain for Liverpool).
The reason why Wellington spent two of his last three seasons in a second-tier competition was he failed to make the grade at Levante.
"[Wellington] vented his anger on twitter this week at the situation and coach Juan Ignacio Martinez looks unlikely to pick him any time soon," per Francisco Acedo at Sky Sports. "Levante do not want to anger Arsenal and are ready to let him return to the Gunners."
Back in Spain's top flight, Wellington has turned a corner, starting five of Almeria's first nine La Liga games.
What Wellington brings to Almeria is fearlessness, penetrating runs and speed.
Though, he has no plan when he is in possession:
- No goal or assist in 442 minutes in league play (Neymar took three minutes to score against Real Madrid in Barcelona's 3-1 El Clasico defeat).
- 16/26 in completed dribbles/attempted dribbles at a 61.5 success rate is not productive enough.
- Turning over possession 29.9 percent of the time attempting a pass is inefficient.
Wellington has a Luis Boa Morte-like demeanour: he is an are-we-nearly-there-yet player.
There is no question about Wellington possessing Arsenal-calibre talent. But his lack of application is a red flag.
"[Boa Morte] did not look a Premiership player," per The Professor: Arsene Wenger by Myles Palmer. "He was quick, brave and skilful, but immature, a headless chicken."
That is how you should describe Wellington's career thus far.
Sure, there is a chance he can turn it around, a la Arsenal's former habitual loanee Carlos Vela.
But it is more likely Wellington will make a discreet Pedro Botelho-esque exit.
Statistics via WhoScored.
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