Right spent the morning going through all his video's to remind myself of his playing style/position etc.
He reminds me of a young pacier Juan Mata (from Valencia days) when he was a left midfielder, but he has more tricks up his sleeve and is a far more accomplished ball-carrier but less finishing threat. He is predominantly a creative force, very balanced player with great work ethic so definitely someone who would work well with a Mourinho but the question is does he fit into the side tactically. His best role if it was from scratch would be a Di Maria style role in midfield ala Madrid under Carlo.. left sided attacking midfielder, with free role to just run at players in midfield and link up play.
The only way I can see him fit into a Mourinho side and play in his favoured formation is if we went 4-4-2, with Martial/Rashford playing as second strikers behind Lukaku and Lemar and Mkhi as your widemen. If however we went 4-3-3, we would struggle to get him into the side, unless he improves his ability to play on the right wing. Now I did see him drift over to the right and play some games there, but he wasn't outstanding on that wing.. he looked uncomfortable, reminscent of Bale's early troubles on the right flank when he was a natural left sided, left footed player. He is only 21, so I can see him developing his ability to play on the right flank so not a major issue.. and he is in the Mkhi/Mata mould of a playmaking right winger.. but I would question whether he's the right type of winger we need in that role. I'd prefer a Dembele or even a Mahrez, proper winger with speed to burn and can really stretch the play down that flank.
At home, 4-4-2, looks pretty devastating against most sides.. but that 4-3-3 is missing a proper goal threat down the right. So if we were to get him, would be interesting to see how he fits in.
Gut feeling is, we are not in for him as I don't really see where he fits in but lets see what happens. If we do get him, I think Mata's days would be numbered.
He reminds me of a young pacier Juan Mata (from Valencia days) when he was a left midfielder, but he has more tricks up his sleeve and is a far more accomplished ball-carrier but less finishing threat. He is predominantly a creative force, very balanced player with great work ethic so definitely someone who would work well with a Mourinho but the question is does he fit into the side tactically. His best role if it was from scratch would be a Di Maria style role in midfield ala Madrid under Carlo.. left sided attacking midfielder, with free role to just run at players in midfield and link up play.
The only way I can see him fit into a Mourinho side and play in his favoured formation is if we went 4-4-2, with Martial/Rashford playing as second strikers behind Lukaku and Lemar and Mkhi as your widemen. If however we went 4-3-3, we would struggle to get him into the side, unless he improves his ability to play on the right wing. Now I did see him drift over to the right and play some games there, but he wasn't outstanding on that wing.. he looked uncomfortable, reminscent of Bale's early troubles on the right flank when he was a natural left sided, left footed player. He is only 21, so I can see him developing his ability to play on the right flank so not a major issue.. and he is in the Mkhi/Mata mould of a playmaking right winger.. but I would question whether he's the right type of winger we need in that role. I'd prefer a Dembele or even a Mahrez, proper winger with speed to burn and can really stretch the play down that flank.
At home, 4-4-2, looks pretty devastating against most sides.. but that 4-3-3 is missing a proper goal threat down the right. So if we were to get him, would be interesting to see how he fits in.
Gut feeling is, we are not in for him as I don't really see where he fits in but lets see what happens. If we do get him, I think Mata's days would be numbered.
