Arsenal transfer news: Christos Tzolis signs £34m deal from Club Brugge to replace Leandro Trossard | Football news
Arsenal have announced the signing of midfielder Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge on a five-year contract.
The fee is understood to be £34m, which is a Belgian Pro League record.
The 24-year-old, who played for Norwich City, scored 17 goals and provided 23 assists in 36 league appearances last season.
Sky Sports News you understand that Morgan Rogers he was tipped as the club’s top attacking midfielder, but the Englishman instead completed a British record move to London rivals Chelsea.
Tzolis was signed to replace Leandro Trossard, who left Besiktas in a £17m deal.
Analysis: Why Tzolis is a perfect replacement for Trossard
Sky Sports by Sam Blitz:
Tzolis comes as Trossard’s direct replacement. And a closer look at Tzolis’ profile shows many similarities between the two players.
The first is the profile. For those who know him, the leading Greek is a winger but like Trossard, he is also a No. 10. Last summer, Crystal Palace heavily eyed Tzolis as a replacement for now Arsenal star Eberechi Eze.
Tzolis is more of a left midfielder but can also play as a No 10
“He can fulfill different roles,” said Hayk Milkon Sky Sportswho was the assistant manager of Club Brugge throughout Tzolis’ time in Belgium until February of this year.
“Coming from the left side – giving him that initial space and getting moments inside – that’s where he’s strongest.
“When he’s tasked to play wide to find players, he knows that. But he’s always powerful when he’s near the goal. Anytime he’s in the middle, you can expect him to attack space at any time.”
Another similarity between Tzolis and Trossard is their availability. Trossard had an exemplary injury record at Arsenal and was only injured four games in three and a half years. All four of these appearances came in his final season in north London.
Tzolis had the same record at Club Brugge. The longest spell he has ever spent without a game at the Belgian club was two games – despite being one of the team’s most dynamic players.
“He’s a very hardworking guy,” added Milkon. “You run many kilometers in this game but also at a high speed and distance.
“Anyone can do that once a week. He did it every three or four days with the Champions League. And his performance remained stable.”
The final comparison between Trossard and Tzolis is a thin air – bred from the desire to win. Arteta once affectionately called Trossard “a little nice” at Arsenal for his constant complaints in training with referees.
And one of Tzolis’ biggest areas for improvement, according to his former coach? “Emotional stability,” Milkon said.
Read the full Sky Sports feature by Sam Blitz on Christos Tzolis here…
Arsenal’s first five games of the Premier League season
August 21: Coventry (H), live on Sky Sports, kicks off at 8pm
August 31: Aston Villa (A), live on Sky Sports, kicks off at 8pm
September 6: Chelsea (H), live on Sky Sports, kicks off at 4.30pm
September 12: Sunderland (A), starts at 8pm
September 19: Brighton (A), starts at 3pm
