Benjamin Sesko | Despite Raees best efforts he’s joining Liepzig. Damn you Raees

[Kingslayer18]

Yeah agreed. Especially when he's scored only 5 goals in the Austrian top league.

I don't follow the other leagues much you seem to so do you think this kid is any good/special? Do you think he'd be the next big thing? And how he is compared to the other top young strikers?

He's got good potential but in a normal world, he'd stay at Salzburg for another season before even thinking of stepping up to United. He's been talked about as a Haaland prototype for awhile but I don't think he has the outright athleticism as Haaland nor the mentality. I wouldn't say he's going to be the next big thing but will probably end up being one of the better strikers in his generation. There are others who have similar potential, some regard Roko Simic (another Salzburg striker), as having even better potential than Sesko. I would've loved us to step up for Ekitike or even Matthys Tel but as we love to do, move slowly and now are getting quoted ridiculous fees because of the Ronaldo situation.

 

[Strelok]

He's got good potential but in a normal world, he'd stay at Salzburg for another season before even thinking of stepping up to United. He's been talked about as a Haaland prototype for awhile but I don't think he has the outright athleticism as Haaland nor the mentality. I wouldn't say he's going to be the next big thing but will probably end up being one of the better strikers in his generation. There are others who have similar potential, some regard Roko Simic (another Salzburg striker), as having even better potential than Sesko. I would've loved us to step up for Ekitike or even Matthys Tel but as we love to do, move slowly and now are getting quoted ridiculous fees because of the Ronaldo situation.

I see. Thank you.

 

[Rozay]

He's got good potential but in a normal world, he'd stay at Salzburg for another season before even thinking of stepping up to United. He's been talked about as a Haaland prototype for awhile but I don't think he has the outright athleticism as Haaland nor the mentality. I wouldn't say he's going to be the next big thing but will probably end up being one of the better strikers in his generation. There are others who have similar potential, some regard Roko Simic (another Salzburg striker), as having even better potential than Sesko. I would've loved us to step up for Ekitike or even Matthys Tel but as we love to do, move slowly and now are getting quoted ridiculous fees because of the Ronaldo situation.

We didn’t ‘move slowly’ on them, we didn’t move at all. Seemingly, we ARE moving for Sesko now, yet you are here expressing your reservations.

 

[swissgenius]

So you don't think the lad is the next big thing I suppose?

How do you think he is compared to the top young strikers you mentioned?

I meant to say that he's just a tad behind in the development compared to those, so the curve still can go in all directions. I'm not saying he can't reach it but it's just a lot less likely just now.
That price tag is, to my understanding, OK for a talent that has already proven to be a high scorer at a lower league or able to at least keep up in a top league.
Like Ekitike, a 19yo, also pretty big CF, who scored 10 goals in the french league.

If we take our Salzburg examples Haaland, Adeyemu or Szoboslai. They have proven to be leaders / top scorers in that (rather weak) league and were ready for the next step.
IF Sesko can do that too, he's worth the same 25-35M like those others went for. If you add a United tax, I'm ok with paying around 40M next summer.
I mean Salzburg also has Susic, scouts talk of him even higher. Or Simic, Koita, Okafor and Adamu. All with nice trajectories but they won't all be 100M players in 3 years.

And to your question re: comparisons.
I could see some Haaland in him, but not physically just now. And he hasn't shown the same scoring instinct, although the technique is there.
The problem with those players is really, that the ceiling is high but the floor is pretty low too. If he can't develop the play to match his frame, he's gone.
That's why I would not break the bank for him just now.

 

[Ramshock]

Always makes me laugh when people complain about other clubs demanding high fees for players they want to keep. Would we be happy to sell the likes of Garnacho and Zidane for £20m?

We do though. Dundee United got Dylan Levitt for 300k. If City had sold him it would have been for 7M easily

 

[TheNewEra]

Romano said things are moving fast with Sesko but many clubs are keeping tabs

 

[RedRonaldo]

Always makes me laugh when people complain about other clubs demanding high fees for players they want to keep. Would we be happy to sell the likes of Garnacho and Zidane for £20m?

It’s Austrian league, where he only has 5 goals last season. Haaland scored far more goals than him at same age there, and he went to Dortmund for 20m.

 

[Powderfinger]

It’s Austrian league, where he only has 5 goals last season. Haaland scored far more goals than him at same age there, and he went to Dortmund for 20m.

Haaland had a release clause.

 

[sglowrider]

Haaland had a release clause.

Damn! Release clauses.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Haaland had a release clause.

Ok. But 5 goals in Austrian league doesn’t make 50m worthy.

 

[Ted Lasso]

Ok. But 5 goals in Austrian league doesn’t make 50m worthy.

Anthony Martial scored 11 goals in two seasons for Monaco before sealing a £35 rising to £50 M move to Manchester United.

Fair to say that the player potential as assessed by our scouts may not equate to just goals with these younger players.

 

[Powderfinger]

Ok. But 5 goals in Austrian league doesn’t make 50m worthy.

Yeah, I definitely agree with that.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Anthony Martial scored 11 goals in two seasons for Monaco before sealing a £35 rising to £50 M move to Manchester United.

Fair to say that the player potential as assessed by our scouts may not equate to just goals with these younger players.

I don’t think Martial is a good example as he has been hugely inconsistent with us over the years, and we would struggle to sell him for the price we’ve bought, even discounting inflation…

 

[Oggi]

It’s Austrian league, where he only has 5 goals last season. Haaland scored far more goals than him at same age there, and he went to Dortmund for 20m.

No he didn’t, Haaland had scored 1 Austrian league goal when he was Sesko’s age.

 

[bosnian_red]

Anthony Martial scored 11 goals in two seasons for Monaco before sealing a £35 rising to £50 M move to Manchester United.

Fair to say that the player potential as assessed by our scouts may not equate to just goals with these younger players.

Martial did look absolutely elite as a youngster at Monaco though and was drawing interest from Barca and Chelsea. I remember watching that CL qualifier vs Valencia and absolutely being in love with the kid, and then a week later seeing us sign him I was delighted.

Sesko has potential of course, but he's not a Martial level talent (as teens).

 

[MUnchies]

He's got good potential but in a normal world, he'd stay at Salzburg for another season before even thinking of stepping up to United. He's been talked about as a Haaland prototype for awhile but I don't think he has the outright athleticism as Haaland nor the mentality. I wouldn't say he's going to be the next big thing but will probably end up being one of the better strikers in his generation. There are others who have similar potential, some regard Roko Simic (another Salzburg striker), as having even better potential than Sesko. I would've loved us to step up for Ekitike or even Matthys Tel but as we love to do, move slowly and now are getting quoted ridiculous fees because of the Ronaldo situation.

What makes you say he doesn’t have the mentality of Haaland? His performance alone against Liverpool shows he has a strong mentality and attitude to make it at the top. Whether he’s good enough is another matter.

 

[Ted Lasso]

I don’t think Martial is a good example as he has been hugely inconsistent with us over the years, and we would struggle to sell him for the price we’ve bought, even discounting inflation…

He seems like the perfect comparison. A young forward that hasn't scored a ton of goals for his club but has transferred for a huge fee.

Wayne Rooney scores 15 goals in two seasons before his big few transfer.

Goals don't make the transfer for these young players. So if we signed Sesko for 30-50M it wouldn't be unheard of. I'd certainly raise my expectations of the player though.

 

[Strelok]

I meant to say that he's just a tad behind in the development compared to those, so the curve still can go in all directions. I'm not saying he can't reach it but it's just a lot less likely just now.
That price tag is, to my understanding, OK for a talent that has already proven to be a high scorer at a lower league or able to at least keep up in a top league.
Like Ekitike, a 19yo, also pretty big CF, who scored 10 goals in the french league.

If we take our Salzburg examples Haaland, Adeyemu or Szoboslai. They have proven to be leaders / top scorers in that (rather weak) league and were ready for the next step.
IF Sesko can do that too, he's worth the same 25-35M like those others went for. If you add a United tax, I'm ok with paying around 40M next summer.
I mean Salzburg also has Susic, scouts talk of him even higher. Or Simic, Koita, Okafor and Adamu. All with nice trajectories but they won't all be 100M players in 3 years.

And to your question re: comparisons.
I could see some Haaland in him, but not physically just now. And he hasn't shown the same scoring instinct, although the technique is there.
The problem with those players is really, that the ceiling is high but the floor is pretty low too. If he can't develop the play to match his frame, he's gone.
That's why I would not break the bank for him just now.

Yeah sounds legit. Anyway not my money and we do need a tall, strong but technical #9. ETH seems to fancy that type too based on his time at Ajax.

I watched a couple highlights of Simic but tbh I don't think that lad is special. He seems rather one footed and a bit Crouch-esque. This Sesko what I really like about him is his two footedness, his tidiness and his touch. You don't see a big fast two footed guy very often. It's not only the stats but also the potential I think.

There's always risks in any transfer let alone a very young unproven one like this. But he's worth the risks imo.

 

[TsuWave]

Are Chelsea even scouting players anymore? It just seems like they just get linked with whatever players we are linked to/looking at

 

[Mani]

Are Chelsea even scouting players anymore? It just seems like they just get linked with whatever players we are linked to/looking at

Not just us, they were also after same player's whom Barca was tracking and now they want Cucurella whom city was negotiating.

 

[RedRonaldo]

He seems like the perfect comparison. A young forward that hasn't scored a ton of goals for his club but has transferred for a huge fee.

Wayne Rooney scores 15 goals in two seasons before his big few transfer.

Goals don't make the transfer for these young players. So if we signed Sesko for 30-50M it wouldn't be unheard of. I'd certainly raise my expectations of the player though.

Well I think there’s big difference between PL, Ligue 1 and Austrian league. Also, Rooney performance in PL > Martial in Ligue 1 > Sesko in Austrian league.

 

[BarryWinks]

Still wondering what the hype is about with him, seem lanky with a nice touch and that has caught the eyes around here it seems. Looking at him her reminds me of a young Haller from Utrecht, similar lanky style with the occasional deft touch.

And yes, paying over £25M for his type will be silly and indicative of us not moving on from overpaying for our targets. As much as the hype is there right now, no less from that singular game against Liverpool, he still is an Austrian League striker who hasn't pulled up any trees in that league or the champions league, and he didn't have the reputation in youth football like the new Bayern guy.

Best approach will be to keep tabs on him this season, see how he progresses both physically and statistically then make the decision next summer. I doubt his price increases significantly from the quoted prices.

 

[RkkMan]

Still wondering what the hype is about with him, seem lanky with a nice touch and that has caught the eyes around here it seems. Looking at him her reminds me of a young Haller from Utrecht, similar lanky style with the occasional deft touch.

And yes, paying over £25M for his type will be silly and indicative of us not moving on from overpaying for our targets. As much as the hype is there right now, no less from that singular game against Liverpool, he still is an Austrian League striker who hasn't pulled up any trees in that league or the champions league, and he didn't have the reputation in youth football like the new Bayern guy.

Best approach will be to keep tabs on him this season, see how he progresses both physically and statistically then make the decision next summer. I doubt his price increases significantly from the quoted prices.

The issue is the competition for him will be insane next year if he has a breakout season so whichever decision we take is difficult either way
I'm of the opinion that we should buy him now outright or with the option to loan him back if we believe in his potential rather than risk fighting 4/5 clubs for his signature next year

 

[bringbackbebe]

Other than fans arguing over biases, is there anything concrete from our end to suggest we're making a bid for him?

 

[Cassidy]

They sold him in January. They didn’t even finish their season.

They were still open to selling. He has played many first team games and there was an agreement he could leave. They don’t want to sell Sesko until next summer hence the price tag

 

[JohnnyLaw]

The issue is the competition for him will be insane next year if he has a breakout season so whichever decision we take is difficult either way
I'm of the opinion that we should buy him now outright or with the option to loan him back if we believe in his potential rather than risk fighting 4/5 clubs for his signature next year

That seems to be the case now though. PSG, Chelsea and Newcastle have already been linked.

At least in one years time we’d have a better assessment of the kid. If any other club’s prepared to pay £40m+ for him NOW, not being an undisputed starter and only having a handfull of goals to his name, I’d say good luck to them.

 

[Ted Lasso]

Well I think there’s big difference between PL, Ligue 1 and Austrian league. Also, Rooney performance in PL > Martial in Ligue 1 > Sesko in Austrian league.

Rooney was a prodigy and nobody disputed it despite scoring single digit goals a season. That's the point - goals aren't everything when judging young players especially.

With Sesko every credible source notes he's nowhere near a finished article and certainly not at the level of martial or Rooney were. But that is not at all just about goals. It's a holistic appraisal. So talking about just goals really is inappropriate here, and even more so when intentionally misleading people as you've done, friend.

 

[RkkMan]

That seems to be the case now though. PSG, Chelsea and Newcastle have already been linked.

At least in one years time we’d have a better assessment of the kid. If any other club’s prepared to pay £40m+ for him NOW, not being an undisputed starter and only having a handfull of goals to his name, I’d say good luck to them.

Then don't complain if that happens and he has his break out year elsewhere whilst we keep licking our wounds with a 37yr old and Tesco Henry

 

[JohnnyLaw]

Then don't complain if that happens and he has his break out year elsewhere whilst we keep licking our wounds with a 37yr old and Tesco Henry

The Tesco Henry who was signed on the very policy that you’re recommending we act on with Sesko. Great point.

50 million down the dain, Benny Sesko scores again!

 

[Strelok]

Other than fans arguing over biases, is there anything concrete from our end to suggest we're making a bid for him?

Not yet but it's true our Murtough met his agent couple days ago and there was some report says 'United readying official offer'. Romano also suggested there'd be an official bid this week. That's all afaik.

 

[bringbackbebe]

Not yet but it's true our Murtough met his agent couple days ago

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

 

[Strelok]

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

Tbh I have no idea but no it seems. Anyway since RB Salzburg has said nothing against so big deal I think.

 

[bringbackbebe]

Tbh I have no idea but no it seems. Anyway since RB Salzburg has said nothing against so big deal I think.

That would mean either a verbal agreement has been reached, or Murtough meeting is fictional. Let's see how this develops.

 

[largelyworried]

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

Supposedly it's against the rules and clubs occasionally get riled up about it (eg Southampton, Liverpool and Van Dijk). But it happens all the time. Eriksen said just yesterday that he'd spoken to three United managers to see if he was interested in moving.

 

[Strelok]

That would mean either a verbal agreement has been reached, or Murtough meeting is fictional. Let's see how this develops.

Tbh again I have no idea about that either. It's according to the MEN that Murtough met his agent about ten days ago btw. So not couple days ago as I said. Is the MEN solid?

 

[Cassidy]

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

This never happens.

 

[phelans shorts]

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

It’s highly unlikely any club is going to complain because they’re all at it. Unless you get actually pictured in a sordid meeting in a restaurant somewhere you’ll be fine.

 

[dedek_mraz]

Is this legal? From what I last remember:
Currently, under FIFA and FA transfer rules, if a club wants to procure the services of a player registered with another club, they must speak directly with that club and not to the player or his representatives. The player and his representatives will only be brought in for discussions with the potential purchasing club once the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Section C1 of the FA rules, meanwhile, prohibits a player who is under contract, or his agent, from talking to other clubs, or being approached by other clubs, without the consent of the player’s current club.

Well there you go .. if the agent is meeting freely with a host of other clubs as seems to be the case, then it probably means that he has permission from Salzburg. The meeting with Murtough is corroborated by many different sources, so I dont think there's a reason to doubt it happened. What's most likely happening is, that Salzburg and the agent decided to ride the recent hype train and put out feelers if they can get two or three clubs to get in a bidding war. If not I think it suits Salzburg just the same, the kid's gonna play another season and rack up goals .. excluding major injury his value is only gonna go up.

 

[Lash]

That would mean either a verbal agreement has been reached, or Murtough meeting is fictional. Let's see how this develops.

No it doesn't. It's quite common for clubs to let teams talk to agents first.

 

[Sarni]

That seems to be the case now though. PSG, Chelsea and Newcastle have already been linked.

At least in one years time we’d have a better assessment of the kid. If any other club’s prepared to pay £40m+ for him NOW, not being an undisputed starter and only having a handfull of goals to his name, I’d say good luck to them.

It wouldn’t be unprecedented though to see him eventually go for a lower fee after all the hype has died down.

Belotti was linked to a number of top clubs at 23 with the fee of €100m quoted by Torino, he is now moving on a free transfer to Roma as they were not able to sell him for anything substantial for the previous two years. Similar with Dybala at Juventus who we were linked with for £60m+ when he was younger. There are many more examples of players who were tipped to be the next big thing and ended up being sold on a cheap not long after.

If we spend £50m or so on a player who scored 5 goals in Austrian Bundesliga it is purely based on future potential. We did the same move with Diallo and it seems to have been a big waste of money. To be fair there is maybe a handful of transfers of players with virtually no experience for big fees that worked out well for the club that bought them.