Holloway Mulling Over First Signing
Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, is mulling over whether he should pursue his potential first signing of the summer in Frenchman Malaury Martin.
Martin has been invited on one of the club's pre-season tours and has so far impressed during practice matches and training. He will add a great deal of pace and extra quality in the Blackpool midfield if the club decide to try and sign him.
Blackpool needs all the extra quality they can get because they are heading into the new Premier League season as one of the weakest teams in the division's history.
Martin possesses a number of quality attributes that would give Blackpool something they do not already have. However, the club are still desperately short in a number of areas and it's important to focus on this to try and judge whether they can stay up next season.
Malaury Martin
Martin was signed by Monaco as one of the hottest prospects in French football a few years ago. However, he was not able to make it in the first team and has since been loaned out on regular occasions.
He is a very quick and agile player who can play in any position across the midfield. He has the ability to see a killer pass and this is something Blackpool will need to beat most Premier League sides. However, his lack of a physical presence is worrying because it could mean he gets bullied off of the ball.
Martin is only 21 years of age and has a number of years ahead of him in his playing career. He is fearless and jumped at the chance to play for Blackpool during pre-season because he obviously saw it as a way into the Premier League.
Holloway said: "We've got a lad on trial who I'd seen through videos and DVDs. He'll definitely be coming down to Devon with us and showing us what he can do. He's spent his career being loaned out by Monaco, but has played at every level of French international football up to Under 21, so that's the sort of calibre who want to sign for us now."
Blackpool still desperately short, even with Martin
There are arguments that Blackpool are desperately short in all areas of their team even if Martin does sign a full contract with the club. He will not make too much difference to the side other than the fact he may be able to pass the ball a bit better than everyone else at the club.
The defence at the club is big and strong but it lacks pace. The best sides in the Premier League will stretch big defensive players to create gaps for other faster players to run into.
Blackpool fans have said that they worry the club may end up taking the Derby County low points total record this season. It's obvious the club need players in all positions otherwise they will drop out of the Premier League after working so hard to get there in the first place.
Betting Advice
Do not bet on Blackpool to stay in the Premier League because right now they have almost zero chance. Teams like Hull have been in much better shape than Blackpool are right now but they have still struggled and been relegated.
If Martin does sign for the club then he will be one of the more likely players to score a goal. He has a little bit more quality than other Blackpool players and this means that he will be less likely to have a small influence during Premier League games next season.
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