If Ramsey reaches the pinnacle of the sport and develops into one of the world’s prime midfielders, it will be testament to an iron will and an ability to pull through a period of adversity, as in February 2010 his leg was badly broken by a tackle from Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.
Prior to that horrific injury, Ramsey was playing regularly for Arsenal, his drive and passing ability in midfield attracting praise from Arsene Wenger, his club manager.
The Frenchman signed Ramsey from Cardiff as a 17-year-old, beating off competition from Manchester United. Wenger’s decision to fly Ramsey and his family over to Switzerland, where he was working as a television pundit at Euro 2008, was thought to be a key factor. Everton manager David Moyes also broke away from his summer holiday, while United’s Sir Alex Ferguson did not, and it was the personal touch that ultimately helped win the day for Wenger.
