Thursday 28 May 2015 07:20, UK
Wales manager Chris Coleman says he can see the debate from both sides when it comes to Aaron Ramsey filling a wide role or central midfield position for FA Cup finalists Arsenal.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has played Wales star Ramsey in wider positions this year, with the player himself publicly declaring he prefers to occupy the middle ground.
And while Coleman claims he would not consider Ramsey as a winger in Wales colours unless circumstances dictated otherwise, he also understands Wenger's position.
"In my opinion, he does all his best work for Wales in the centre," Coleman said.
"Offensively, he starts in the centre, but he is a player who goes everywhere. He can end up wide. But it is different when you haven't got the ball. As a wide player, the job is different.
"Yes, I can understand his (Ramsey's) frustrations, but I can also understand why Wenger may play him out there.
"If you look at his physical statistics, he does the most high-intensity running because his engine is incredible.
"So he can do the miles, he can get forward and back, so I can see why Wenger has maybe done that.
"I can see it from both sides. But for us, I wouldn't (play him wide) unless I really absolutely had to."
Ramsey has recently been the subject of speculation linking him to Spanish giants Barcelona, and Coleman added: "If you look at the way he plays, and the way Barcelona play with all that imagination, it is not too dissimilar to the way Arsenal play.
"Barca signed (Ivan) Rakitic from Sevilla last year. Some people were scoffing at that, but he's a good player, and if Barca are looking at 'Rambo' then it's for a reason.
"He's already playing for Arsenal, who play a similar style. He's playing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League every season, so ability-wise when you see the best of Aaron Ramsey... at his best is he good enough for Barcelona? Yes he is, at his best."
