Following Franck Ribery’s exploits with Bayern Munich, and Mathieu Valbuena’s weekly heroics for Les Phoceens, it’s only fair we tilt the spotlight at another pixie-sized French midfield dynamo: Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann has more in common with the aforementioned two than just an impressive stat line. Griezmann, like Ribery and Valbuena, struggled to find a suitor despite his electric ability due to doubts over his physique.
A fair share of French clubs had their chance with the Macon native before he left for sunny Spain. Montpellier, then Saint-Etienne, both handed the diminutive winger week-long trials and it was with Les Stephanois that he dazzled the fastidious Spanish scouts. Real Sociedad liked what they saw in Griezman, but signing him at the unpredictable age of 16 was a calculated risk worth mulling over.
Sociedad did take the gamble; Griezmann was handed a youth contract and his family benefitted from lodging provided by the club. Eight years later and you’d never guess Griezmann was a foreigner. He rambles in Basque, and is known across San Sebastian where he has a close set of friends with whom he unwinds.
Under Phillipe Montanier La Real have been a veritable revelation this season. The Frenchman has steered the Basque club towards a Champions League finish, by recycling unwanted talent and forging an aesthetically pleasing side.
Griezmann was neglected in France for his size, Carlos Vela struggled to break through at Arsenal, Liassine Cadamuro was unwanted at Sochaux after scaling the ranks under Montanier, and Inigo Martinez has always drawn skepticism for the fact that he doesn’t tower over his opposition.
Each scrutinized talent has found their respective niches in San Sebastian. For Griezmann it’s on the left wing of a 4-3-3. The France U21 attacker has found a unique way of playing his position. Griezmann starts most attacks closer to the touchline, but never hesitates to dribble inwards and create an exploitable vacuum in his wake. Some might deride his floating as ill-disciplined, but it creates major marking conundrums for defenders.
For a more involved viewpoint, we asked La Liga expert David Cartlidge about Griezmann’s progress and he was kind enough to provide us with insightful answers. Here’s what he had to say:
La Real have churned out spectacular results this season. How big a part has Antoine Griezmann played in this campaign?
Griezmann’s season has been an interesting one, and at the start he was very good and threatened to really take upon a lead role at the club. Most interesting was his deployment in a central midfield role, something I explained in this article. However, after the blistering start he took a back seat with Carlos Vela becoming the main man at the club, operating in that free role with Griezmann more or less in his old wide berth with license to join as a second striker. It coincided with a lull in form, despite la Real’s impressive form, and he played only a bit part role. As 2013 has grown we’ve seen a stronger, more influential Griezmann however. In tandem we’ve seen la Real become even more devastating on the counter attack, with the Frenchman a vital player helping Vela and associating with his other exciting team mates.
Griezmann is one of five players (M’Vila, Ben Yedder, Mavinga and Niang the others) currently disciplined by the FFF for frequenting a Parisian night club the night before an U21 Qualifier. Can we exonerate him as a one-off, or have other disciplinarian issues been noted at the club?
When the incident occurred it didn’t surprise me in the least. Griezmann had been known as something of a party boy, and had several run-ins with club official over his shall we say, out of hours behavior. Griezmann needed a wake up call of sorts, and the suspension brought that I feel. Now, we see a more focused, determined character intent on being the best player – and person – he can be.
What is the biggest aspect of his game Griezmann needs to improve before making a step up?
I think involvement in games. He can become isolated and allow passages of play to drift by, he needs to impose himself more often as when he does, can be a huge handful. The pace, skill and directness are a defence’s nightmare but Griezmann can play within himself at times. He needs to elaborate more, show how dangerous he really is and most of all reach that level in which he can decide games. Basically, he needs the desire of wanting the ball, and wanting to alter the
picture of the game.
picture of the game.
Griezmann’s contract runs until 2015. If Sociedad do not qualify for the Champions League, can you see him extending?
It’s an interesting one. I think either way, Champions League or not, there will be interest in Griezmann. I know of one particular Premier League club who are huge admirers of the player – can’t name names, sorry! The player has mentioned most summers that he’d look at moves and that’s the way it will be. La Real are in an excellent position financially however and not under the same constraints as other Spanish clubs – they simply don’t need to sell or be held at ransom.
Thank you David – follow him on twitter @davidjaca
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