Because we have an option to extend for another year.
16
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 28
- Goals
- 6
- Assists
- 7
- Yellow cards
- 2
He's probably our most skillful, intelligent and hardest worker. It was so obvious he had the talent years back, couldn't believe Ten Hag didn't see it.
Might be a Dutch thing. Gio Van Bronchkhurst couldn't see it at Rangers either
Netherlands is a land of giants, maybe they think he’s too small.
He got fired after like 4 months in Turkiye, for losing 3-1 at home against Maccabi. So what does he know?
It's such a mad, hidden strength of his. I reckon even anyone who was following him closely at Sunderland (where he was great) wasn't expecting this particular string to his bow when he finally established himself at United.
It also really shows up all our other attackers. This is the third manager in a row who wants an aggressive, high press and the first player who actually seems to get it.
I think what really stands out is his anticipation. Most of our team press when the opponent has received the ball and they're looking for the pass, Amad on the other hand is already at full pace before they've even taken a touch.
Some players see the full picture in a split second and he's one of them.
I know this sounds crazy but the way he wins the ball despite being slight, that soft first touch, how he glides, reminds me of George Best.
It is quite strange that he has not featured alot more before RVN took charge. He is basically a better Antony right?
Hopefully, its not one of those false dawns that we have with players and he actually goes up levels.
Hopefully, its not one of those false dawns that we have with players and he actually goes up levels.
Strange as in Ten Hag was awful, yes
Been screaming for him to play for months.
So pleased that he is doing his thing and making ETH look like an even bigger clown.
So pleased that he is doing his thing and making ETH look like an even bigger clown.
When we bought him, wasn’t he rated as one of the best prospects out there in his age category?
2020-21 he started last PL game of the season vs Wolves, his pressing stats was by far the best in our squad, which was 30 in that game. That was insane.
I made post at that time
Yes, the club considered him second only to Ansu Fati in terms of his position/age group.
He's been brilliant the last couple of games. Hopefully he can keep it up.
His balance and weight of pass are tremendous.
His balance and weight of pass are tremendous.
Until the Everton game I have not rated him at all and been quite / very negative on him. Attitude , effort, contribution. Yesterday I gave him 9.
What impressed me more than anything was he passed to Rashford and Zurkzee for their goals when he provably could have justified having a go on himself.
For me on Sunday he really stood up and showed his potential.
I love the way he has by far his best every game for the club and the manager says "He has to do better"
What impressed me more than anything was he passed to Rashford and Zurkzee for their goals when he provably could have justified having a go on himself.
For me on Sunday he really stood up and showed his potential.
I love the way he has by far his best every game for the club and the manager says "He has to do better"
Some were comparing his skillset to be Messi-lite.
That's a very good comparison. The commonality I think is hard work and intensity in addition to obviously awesome technique and skill.
Some, if not most, managers prefer established players or ones with simple qualities like speed and strength. Amad was young and required effort and time. A player like him also needs his teammates to be on his wavelength and also his manager's trust. Things he didn't get with Ten Hag or GVB because they likely thought their position couldn't handle the perceived risk of him not working out.
The main key is also that it's intelligent when he triggers. Too many people think "good presser" and assume that means running aimlessly around chasing the ball like a headless chicken when that couldn't be further from the truth
I also vaguely remember some quotes from his Atalanta team mate saying he had the same skill set as Messi and that while he still had a lot to learn he was already unplayable at times in training (at 16/17 years old)
He’s more two footed than Antony, far less predictable than Antony, a much better passer than Antony and above all else, 12,000 times more intelligent than Antony.
Time to show what he can do on the left side in a back 3.
Yes, even though he has developed a bit and got a bit stronger over the years he has been close to this player we are seeing now for a long time. His footballing iq, his quick feet, vision, balance, anticipiation, weight of pass, wand of a left foot… most of it has been there since he was a teenager. Was a bit weird to see him thrown back to the U21s for a short spell. Even weirder that van Bronckhorst thought he was not good enough to play for Rangers. Dutch managers are just an odd bunch i guess…
Compilation below is from a wide timespan, even some moments from Atalanta.
Just glad that he is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Not many players in the prem with higher ”edge of your seat” factor than Amad right now.
I'm glad you're finally on board now but not rating Amad is fecking bonkers. Anyone with eyes can see he's supremely talented.
I probably didn't expect him to be this effective at it, but he's always impressed me with his workrate and pressing the few times he's actually had chances in the past. Even looking at my posts in his first ever performance thread (from 20/21) I mentioned it a couple of times, albeit I wasn't certain if it was part of his normal game or if it was just because he was trying to impress in the few first team opportunities he got. Similarly his aerial ability, where he's always been strangely effective considering his size.
It was why I've always been annoyed he didn't get more opportunities in the past. Not only did he seem the most individually skilled and most suited to playing combination football and building a good style, he also seemed to be the most effective defensively other than maybe Dan James and Antony when comparing him to the wing options we've had.
I'm going to guess you haven't watched any games or highlights of him during his Sunderland loan.
I am glad that you're now seeing the obvious.
He looks like a footballer, doesn't he?
It's because his football IQ is so high. He's had the football IQ of a seasoned pro for years.
Thats what makes his pressing so effective - his timing is perfect, he anticipates a loose touch and closes exactly the right angle to make it awkward for the opposition. It's the same aerially - he seems to make the right run and then times his headers correctly, which makes up for his lack of size.
He's one of the smartest players we've had in years - like a more athletic version of Mata.
The pressing knack he's got is not new, I remember in the Liverpool game in the Fa cup last year 2 of our goals started from him nicking/deflecting the ball from them
I have to say though, I worry about him going up against a quick and direct left winger. His defensive positioning is still not ideal, I could see him getting caught out by a martinelli a bunch of times against Arsenal