Mobile Muamba has plenty of mileage

9:20am Thursday 17th July 2008

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FABRICE Muamba is the first component of what Gary Megson hopes will be a leaner, meaner Wanderers next season.

The £5million recruit from Birmingham City arrives at the Reebok with a reputation as one of the most athletic young midfielders in the top flight.

He played in 37 Premier League games for the Blues – totalling 3,203 minutes of pitch time – and the Wanderers boss believes his physical prowess will add an ingredient which was missing from his side last season.

“One of the things I didn’t feel we had enough of last season was athleticism and running power,” Megson admitted.

“Both lads that we have brought in this summer will give us that, but particularly Fabrice, who is a real athlete on the pitch.

“You need to have more than just a good engine – you need ability to compete in the Premier League. He has got that, but the exciting thing from our point of view is that he can get even better.”

At just 20 years old, standing at 6ft 2ins, the former Arsenal trainee would seem to have all the tools necessary to justify Megson’s billing.

Predictably compared to his hero Patrick Vieira in his short time rising through the ranks at Highbury, the burly youngster made only fleeting appearances in the first team as part of Arsene Wenger’s Carling Cup experiments.

His big break came in a loan spell at St Andrew’s the following season, during which he played a major part with more than 41 appearances in guiding Steve Bruce’s Blues back into the Premier League.

His efforts did not go unrewarded as England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce named him in a friendly against Romania at Ashton Gate in August 2007 for the first of several caps he has earned so far.

At the time, Bruce claimed he could only sign Muamba “in his dreams”. His fantasy came true when Wenger surprisingly accepted a speculative £4m bid last summer after accepting the teenage midfielder needed more first team football than he could guarantee.

However, his debut season in the top flight did not go according to plan, with Birmingham relegated on the last day.

Bruce’s successor Alex McLeish said he was forced to “sacrifice” Muamba in a bid to raise funds for another promotion push.

“In the end it was an offer we couldn't refuse,” he said. “We wish Fabrice well in the next chapter of his career.

“He is a driving midfielder with great athleticism and I’m sure there's plenty more he can learn from the game.”

Many see Muamba’s arrival as a change of tack in midfield for Megson, coming as it does on the back of Ivan Campo’s departure.

But the Bolton boss is expecting improvement across the board from the side that struggled through much of last season “Whether people have been here for 10 minutes or 10 years, there are certain levels I am expecting from everyone,” he said.

“I expect them to be working hard, being part of the team and giving it their best shot all the time for the football club that pays their wages.”