Demichelis' Woes May Continue, But Argentinian Should Look Towards Mertesacker For Inspiration

Football

BY NISAR KHAN

Its been a rocky road in the early stages of Martin Demichelis' Premier League career. Although he is in a slump as of late, he can look at the case of Per Mertesacker, who started off with a similar journey. Could the Argentinian use Mertesacker's path to find his own form and adapt to the league?

Demichelis has been woeful for City this season. YAHOO SPORTS

After being acquired by Arsenal in August of 2011, Per Mertesacker's first few months in the Premier League were tough ones, with the towering German admitting to his faults and stating that he had struggled to adapt to the Premier League. 

Critics were very vocal on Mertesacker's distinct lack of pace, while the man himself also said that the "physicality was new to him" in response to critics of his first few months in the English top flight. Another reason that was pointed out for his poor form was the lacking of the German Winter Break, as the Barclays Premier League continued through Christmas. 

While he did not make any big mistakes, Per Mertesacker has shown that it takes time, but you can eventually find your form. Many critics did not expect Per Mertesacker to become as established as he is for Arsenal now, but they were proved wrong as the player eventually got into his stride, and the performances that grasped Arsenal's attention in the first place. 

In Martin Demichelis' situation, trust is not the issue. Manuel Pelligrini has invested plenty of faith - despite his mistakes - and given him some leniency. There's no doubt of the criticism that the Argentinian has been subject to, yet he has been given time to adapt.

Demichelis' foul on Lionel Messi resulted in a penalty that jeopardizes City's hopes. GETTY IMAGES

The problem is that decent performances by Demichelis are being vastly overshadowed by mistakes. Having been sent off against Barcelona and also conceding to Wigan, it has put him on knife edge in regards to tolerance with City fans. 

Assurance should come in the form of Per Mertesacker. In such a fast game that is played in England and Wales in the Premier League, centre-halves especially that are exported from Europe or elsewhere can not instantly grow accustom to that type of play. 

Regardless, some mistakes still cannot be tolerated. Its understandable that one cannot instantaneously play at their best right off the bat, but mistakes like conceding penalties can be too costly to forgive or overlook.

Maybe its Demichelis' slow pace, of which was highlighted in a Twitter trend, "#ThingsFasterThanDemichelis", that causes the problems. Sometimes he just has to make the challenge when he is trailing the runner, and like the instance of the red card for fouling Lionel Messi, it will result in a penalty and sending off.

Critics Sound Off On Twitter

Looks like its one mistake too many for the Argentinian, as jokes flow out from Twitter in 140 characters or less...

Does anyone rate Demichelis apart from his mum and Manuel Pellegrini?
— The Sun - Football (@TheSunFootball) March 9, 2014

Not up to speed with financial fair play but safe to assume the presence of Demichelis and Rodwell in City's squad is a kind of punishment
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 9, 2014

Still Faster than Demichelis pic.twitter.com/c58oEiiKGX
— Ben (@DanceSturridge) March 9, 2014

Demichelis? more like DemiSnailis pic.twitter.com/deDhel9v6x
— Rambo (@RamboRants) March 9, 2014

------------------------------

Despite the criticism, Demichelis still has the trust of the manager which is the most important thing. It now becomes a case of how much Manuel Pelligrini can take. What will happen first: Demichelis dropped, or he finds his form in time? 

Per Mertesacker didn't make the mistakes, but his lack of pace was a problem in the league. However, Mertesacker has bypassed the problem, and maybe Demichelis can do the same, too.

TheSportMatrix.com

 - Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

Follow @_TheSportMatrix