Not much of a big claim.
Adnan Januzaj
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I don't think anyone would tell you he didn't have the potential to be. But so did Macheda.
Not even close to the Adnan situation.
I'm just saying we have teenagers come through all the time and be hotly tipped for greatness. Neville's opinion is nothing new or outlandish.
Januzaj is a different class for me. It's always difficult of to predict how a young player will progress for obvious reasons, but he has absolutely everything in his game to be up there with the very best in my opinion. His confidence and attitude alone is something in itself, as I was saying earlier. For a young player of 18 years of age to have that level of confidence and ability is remarkable for me.
He's stepped up to the plate at a club that have been unde huge pressure this season, and has performed brilliantly. We aren't talking about someone who has simply made the transition, or 'hasn't looked out of place'. We are talking about an 18 year old boy in his first season at first-team level for Manchester United, who has quite simply been winning us games. As I say, remarkable.
He's stepped up to the plate at a club that have been unde huge pressure this season, and has performed brilliantly. We aren't talking about someone who has simply made the transition, or 'hasn't looked out of place'. We are talking about an 18 year old boy in his first season at first-team level for Manchester United, who has quite simply been winning us games. As I say, remarkable.
When did Macheda ever have this amount potential?
You misunderstood me aswell. I'm just addressing the fact that teenagers get tipped for greatness in football all the time. It's nothing new with Adnan.
Ahh yeah, nothing is a dead cert but the great thing about this kid is that he relies on his technique rather than physical size, which is an indication that he'll be more of a handful once he matures physically. Much like that Ronaldo bloke.
Did he? Did people really say he was going to be one of the best in the world? There's not many young players we've had that people said that about. In the last 20 years you have Giggs, Beckham (?), Rio (pre-United), Ronaldo, Rooney...were there really any other teenagers we said that about? Maybe Anderson when he was first signed, and perhaps Jones recently? The ones that people have expected to go on and establish themselves as one of the best in the world generally have done so.
Macheda was just the first player to come to my mind, he was probably a bad example. I remember Sky's commentators explaining that a star had been born when he scored that goal. I fully expect Januzaj to be one of the world's best in five years, but Neville's statement is nothing new. Which is the point I was making, kids get labelled future superstars all the time in the game.
I know , but he rarely sticks his neck on the block like this. I was surprised to see him say it to be honest. He's generally not one for outlandish statements, which is why he's one of the best pundits around. He's not said the same about Barkley that I am aware of.
The only point I'm making is not many of them claim so and so is going to be one of the best players in the world. They're usually a bit different to the usual instant superstars that come around a few times a season.
I'm more excited about Adnan than I was about Ronaldo.
He's more complete and intelligent than Ronnie was at his age, he'll never have Ronnie's physical game and I'd guess never have anything like his end product but I think he's going to develop into a player that runs the game and dictates the play from an advanced position in a way it's been argued that Ronaldo has never managed to do. I just hope we actually reap the rewards of it.
He's more complete and intelligent than Ronnie was at his age, he'll never have Ronnie's physical game and I'd guess never have anything like his end product but I think he's going to develop into a player that runs the game and dictates the play from an advanced position in a way it's been argued that Ronaldo has never managed to do. I just hope we actually reap the rewards of it.
Macheda did have very good potential when he was Adnan's age, but the talk about him as a person was that he was pretty childish and lazy in training, and after he broke into the first team he felt like he'd already made it.
You only hear good things about Januzaj's personality and professionalism. He's making brilliant progress and it seems that as long as he stays clear of injury he's going to be a brilliant player.
You only hear good things about Januzaj's personality and professionalism. He's making brilliant progress and it seems that as long as he stays clear of injury he's going to be a brilliant player.
I think Adnan is Balon D'or material. I really do. There isn't a young player like him as far as I can see. We rave about the Silva's, Ozil's and Mata's of this world and rightly so, but none of them can dribble with the ball like Adnan can, none are as fast, and I don't think there will be a lot of difference in the quality of delivery either. Above all that, in technical terms, I think Januzaj boasts the same kind of vision and technical nous in a tight spot as they do. Weirdly, he's a very, very well-rounded player at just the age of 18. Barring serious injury, I honestly think he'll turn into an incredible player. I'm right on the bandwagon!
As someone has pointed out already, we can just give him a free role in the wide positions like Ronaldo had instead of playing him centrally. Unlike Kagawa, his effective is not restricted out wide. 5 years down the line and we'll see f he develops more into a Ronaldo or Kaka.
Another thing that makes him seem like a dead cert to become a star is his football intelligence, as well as his quality on the ball. He's one of those players, like gotze, who from such a young age plays with such a maturity that they fit in perfectly with the rest, or even look more composed and on a different level to the rest.
I bet you don't have regret making that post now
I can see where you're coming from. You can never be sure on anything in this game but as I said earlier, he has everything in his game to be up there with the best. Again, his overall attitude and confidence in his own ability amazes me.
To be honest, if there is anybody in he world who looks like they could one day replace messi at Barca (player wise), it's him really. Obviously I hope he never leaves, but he could perform a similar role to him somewhere down the line I think, and pick up superb numbers as well. Messi started off similarly to him as well pretty much, out wide but comfortable in the middle as well.
That's a canny mental thing to say to be honest.
The way he controls the ball, sees the game and his deceptive pace reminds me so much of a young Rui Costa more than anyone else. I see Januzaj as a future number 10 and if he turns into half the player of Costa I'll be delighted. I don't think we've ever had a number 10 like Costa in our team before, so I'm quite happy to jump on the Januzaj bandwagon. He's just great to watch and he's already attempting those attacking through balls that have been missing from the team for a long time. Admittedly they're not always coming off, but I've got little problem with that- it's the fact he sees those balls that makes him such a breath of fresh air. And that he clearly has the talent to pull them off regularly in the future just makes him such an exciting prospect.
He has to be the highlight of our campaign so far, and the main reason I've been enjoying this season, despite the results! If any of Kagawa, Cleverly and Welbeck start performing too then it'll just be the icing on the cake for me.
The thing with young, hyped players is that most of them go on to be good players, but only a few fulfills expectations and go on to become top players. I see people here comparing him to a lot of big names, and to be honest, it's too hard to predict whether Januzaj can reach those heights. Only a handful of players do, and that's down to their commitment to training and taking care of their body (think Rooney v Ronaldo), their development under the club coaches or maybe their ceiling wasn't that high to begin with. Of course I'd love it if Januzaj was a future Ballon d'Or contender, but there are a lot of young players like him who never fulfill their potential.
I like to compare him to Goetze in terms of maturity at such a young age. Goetze at 21 is already seen as top 5 in his position and could even oust Ozil from his spot in the national team depending on how his season goes. If Januzaj can be talked about like that in 3 years' time, I'd be very happy. He also has a marketable face so if he plays his cards right, he could well be a global brand name like Ronaldo, especially because he plays for a club with a global fan base.
I like to compare him to Goetze in terms of maturity at such a young age. Goetze at 21 is already seen as top 5 in his position and could even oust Ozil from his spot in the national team depending on how his season goes. If Januzaj can be talked about like that in 3 years' time, I'd be very happy. He also has a marketable face so if he plays his cards right, he could well be a global brand name like Ronaldo, especially because he plays for a club with a global fan base.
Januzaj is compared to past great players, merely on his 'style' point of view. Just like when people are saying that Smalling is the fusion of Vidic and Ferdinand, for his excellent aerial powers and skill on the ball.
Not many are actually saying that he is the next such and such.
Not many are actually saying that he is the next such and such.
I understand what Kid is saying however the difference with Adnan is he's had a number of good games, and his attributes he's showing are not ones that you lose quickly.
You may have a player who had a few amazing games with tricks and goals and what not but if you lose confidence or don't develop mentally you can easily lose that. A prime example of his is Anderson.
On the other hand, Adnan has put in MATURE performances which show good decision making as well as technical ability. He had natural ball control. He can pick a pass. He has vision. These skills are more than just a few tricks on your lucky day.
The best way to put it is yes, many youngsters have great potential (not saying Adnans isn't higher) but not all will make it, and the RISK of Adnan not making it is IMO less than others because of the type of attributes and maturity he has shown.
You may have a player who had a few amazing games with tricks and goals and what not but if you lose confidence or don't develop mentally you can easily lose that. A prime example of his is Anderson.
On the other hand, Adnan has put in MATURE performances which show good decision making as well as technical ability. He had natural ball control. He can pick a pass. He has vision. These skills are more than just a few tricks on your lucky day.
The best way to put it is yes, many youngsters have great potential (not saying Adnans isn't higher) but not all will make it, and the RISK of Adnan not making it is IMO less than others because of the type of attributes and maturity he has shown.
Macheda just scored a nice goal with a turn and lovely finish that got us points, that is about it, it was like Welbeck against Stoke. But Januzaj has been doing it every game, at least doing something decent and at 18.
Exactly, he's shown genuine talent every time he's played. It sounds a bit harsh, but Macheda just scored a couple of important goals, nothing more.
You guys need to calm down.
Why?
Thing abut Januzaj is, if he was some 25/26 year old we paid a tonne of cash for, with a huge rep, and he was putting on the same performances, we'd all be well delighted and call it value for money. The fact that he's 18 and limitless potential is unreal.
Talking about wonderkids, and bold claims, who was that lad Liverpool picked up when we got Ronaldo, that was supposed to be even better? Not even sure he's a footballer any more....
Talking about wonderkids, and bold claims, who was that lad Liverpool picked up when we got Ronaldo, that was supposed to be even better? Not even sure he's a footballer any more....
I think you've been watching the wrong Ozil.
Nope. It's based on talent, unless you're talking about the Maradona/Best/Cruyff comparisons other than the Silva's, Mata's etc.
My one big hope regarding him is that he doesn't go down to the Ronaldo route, as odd as that sounds. I don't want him to become a proper "attacker". I want him to be a playmaker.
The biggest threat to Adnan's development are those who are heaping far too much hype on him this early - comparing him to Ronaldo etc. Let him develop naturally over time and avoid overhyping him.
Yeh it would be a bummer if he turned out like Ronaldo
If he turns into a world class player, we should be happy with what he brings to the team. Who knows what players we will have in 5 years time, we might have bought a top quality playmaker.
Yeh it would be a bummer if he turned out like Ronaldo
If he turns into a world class player, we should be happy with what he brings to the team. Who knows what players we will have in 5 years time, we might have bought a top quality playmaker.
He would be a better footballer if that happens than I expect him to be but I can have my preferences in how I want to see him develop. I'll be whatever he becomes if he fulfills his potential, of course, but I'd prefer him to become a proper technical number 10, because we dont get many of them at United, and he's got the potential to be the best.
Anthony Le Tallec. Plays for Valenciennes in Ligue 1.
Nah mate....All of us went apeshit over his goal against Villa and proclaimed him the next big thing...
The following week, he got in the way of a Michael Carrick shot, hit off him, and went in....We brushed it off as great awareness when in fact it was him, not having a notion of his position or where to go
Macheda never had the ability to be a big player here. Adnan has the potential to be a big player anywhere
It's not unfair or unjustified to say he's better then what Ronaldo was at this age. Although, Ronaldo had only come to the club and a new league etc and was thrown in to replace Becks almost immediately
Its also pointless given their backgrounds, playing styles, work ethics, and a variety of different variables. The worst thing this lad could have happen is to be hyped up, underperform to the hype, then be labelled a disappointment. Best to let him develop naturally and allow him to show what he's got.
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