True, but they were nowhere near the same level either.
Viktor Gyökeres - Sporting Striker
- Thread starter Paolo Di Canio
- Start date
Neither player signed with any involvement from the new Head Coach, and one in Zirkzee who arguably isn't even a striker at all - certainly not one who's going to lead the line and get 15 - 20 goals a season. Hojlund's injury record is poor, and he's not a player a side targeting top 4 would rely upon, at this stage. They could probably move Zirkzee on back to Italy.
The team lacks goals, that much is blatantly obvious, and it's the major issue to address. I suspect if there's one thing any incoming manager will want it's enough of a forward line to compete. This player is potentially achievable, available for what would be considered a decent fee and known to the manager. I think a lot of top clubs will want him, but I think we'll be interest, based on the available evidence.
Whether it's him or someone else, I would be very surprised if a striker isn't a priority.
The team doesn't lack goals because the forwards aren't good enough. The goals will come when our current players get the opportunity to play in a well-drilled tactical setup. Adding another striker to a dysfunctional setup won't change anything.
I have to disagree regarding Hojlund, as well. He's still developing, of course, but he's already ready to lead the line for a top 4 team. He's turning 22 soon, scored 10 league goals last season in just 2171 minutes mostly due to an excellent conversion rate, because I think he was probably the most starved striker in the whole league, bar probably one of the relegated teams' strikers, although the underlying stats claim we should've finished 15th last season. And the player's qualities are crystal clear for all to see.
Yeah Im in agreement on this, I think a lack of reliable goalscorers in the squad has hampered the team for too long. Even when we play well, we struggle to put away chances. And if we don't play well, we don't have someone to dig us out of a hole. Look at what a difference it made to have Rashford banging them in 2 seasons ago.
haha...i'm pretty sure they'll find the money to bring this player and you can be sure Ruben will want him
In the summer maybe, but it will be more for the next window.
As a swede signing him would be great! Having him running at the defenders for 75 minutes then put on Hojlund for 20 would be perfect!
They are quite the same type of player but Hojlund need to work on his scoring ability. Something he has all the chance in world to improve with experience, training and self confidence.
They are quite the same type of player but Hojlund need to work on his scoring ability. Something he has all the chance in world to improve with experience, training and self confidence.
He will replace Salah knowing our/their luck.
On the Althletic FC pod it’s been suggested by a Portuguese journalist that Viktor doesn’t see United as a priority, doesn’t consider us a top team with all the chaos and uncertainty round the club. His relationship with Amorim is going to be key if he is to sign for us in the summer.
I’d also question if he fits the INEOS brief of being the NEXT big striker rather than THE big striker.
I’d also question if he fits the INEOS brief of being the NEXT big striker rather than THE big striker.
83mil release cause (€100mil euros)
We shall see.
Not sure about signing him.
Just like Van Gaal/Di Maria, Mourinho/Lukaku, Ten Hag/Antony
This could be Amiroms big money player transfer flop.
Just like Van Gaal/Di Maria, Mourinho/Lukaku, Ten Hag/Antony
This could be Amiroms big money player transfer flop.
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I don't like Lukaku, but compared to anything we have today, he wasn't a flop.
42 goals and 12 assists in something like 90 games isn't spectacular but beats anything we have today.
Gyökeres is impressive, but I feel there are other priority positions that Amorim may want to fill before buying a striker. Namely the wing back positions and inside forwards.
I want to see what Amorim can do to improve Hojlund's game.
I want to see what Amorim can do to improve Hojlund's game.
But could also be like Ruud, Ronaldo or Rooney was for Fergie.
Let the guy get started in the job first before talking about potential transfer flops.
We just bought a striker. I doubt we have money for one although we're still shit upfront despite spending around 100m in 2 years
Will be 27 at the start of next season. Far too old.
Being serious though, it'll be a big gamble to spend a load on someone of his age after quite a few years of unremarkable output on the back of his short time tearing up the Portuguese league.
Being serious though, it'll be a big gamble to spend a load on someone of his age after quite a few years of unremarkable output on the back of his short time tearing up the Portuguese league.
That's a complete unknown. It's all a matter of opinion but I disagree that any of the other top 4 contenders would rely on Hojlund as their main goal threat. We've created chances all season and not put them away.
Top sides have at least one 20-25 goal a season forward. It's the easiest way to improve a side. Absent of Hojlund staying fit and bagging 15 - 20 goals between now and the end of the season and looking a consistent threat, I'd personally be surprised if a forward wasn't a priority.
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Agreed, the proof is there for anyone to see. The stats on chance conversion are terrible.
Top sides have a top striker. Whether he's a top striker is a different question. Anyone from Portugal represents a risk, but he certainly looks to have the right attributes - and knowing the manager and his system has to be an advantage.
I think a lot of top clubs will be in for him.
If he maintains his level he could give us five years of world class performances, that's a gamble I'd take.
This isn't a young player breaking through, he was playing for Coventry City 18 months ago. I think it's a wildly optimistic take to talk about 5 years of world class performances in the premier league based on just over 1 season in Portugal.
It would be a great story, I do like a late bloomer.
Lewa is 36, Ronaldo was around 37 when he started to really decline, Ibra played at a really great level until he was 39, etc.
Players aren't declining in the early 30s anymore so we could potentially still get a good 10 years out of him.
Too old
So you are comparing players who have been playing top level football from early career to someone who is 26 and first time everyone has heard of him?
I'm comparing players with an incredible work ethic that extended their careers through work and dedication.
It's not about the talent it's about how you take care of yourself.
Having incredible hard work and dedication are all well and good but unless you are as good at football as Lewandowski, Ronaldo or Zlatan, nobody will really give a shit. This dude made his debut 9 years ago, my concern isn't that he is going to retire soon, it's that he's not good enough despite doing well in the Portuguese league this past year.
And I was joking with my "too old" comment (I thought me saying "being serious though..." immediately afterwards might give that away).
Once it gets to 100m you know this one is going to be a silly saga
He won't cost £100 million
He is definitely good and he was already showing signs of that before this season.
Is he 100M good ? Probably not, but for 65M or something around that number, it would be a great deal and he would do well here.
What exactly do you think he lacks to be able to succeed in the premier league then?
When he moves over here in the summer people will still try and discredit him when he's banging them in. It will turn from 'he was at Coventry 18 months ago' to some other bullshit.
I agree with this, I think he has the potential to be good but isn't a nailed on success like Haaland or Kane would have been. He was utterly unremarkable with us for 3 years, including loans to Germany, Swansea and Coventry. He had a good season when Coventry took him permanently and obviously has been brilliant at Sporting. But that's the championship and the Portuguese league, the premiership is very different. For the money he would cost I'm nit sure he's worth the risk.
I'm a big fan of the bloke, but honestly if we're spending £100m I think I'd rather go after Šeško?
Why? Gyokeres is surely the safer bet considering his familiarity with Amorim's setup?
I mean neither is a surefire bet in the PL, but with Gyokeres we at least know he can do it on a cold tuesday Night in Stoke.
The only benefits I can see to going for Sesko is his age and the fact he's proven in a slightly stronger (albeit still weaker than the PL) league.
It depends what you mean by "succeed in the premier league". I'm talking about him being Manchester United's number 9, not being the next Darren Bent.
He was a Brighton player from 2018 until 2021 and he played 4 cup games, not a single minute in the prem. He was aged 20 to 23 during this time, a young player for sure but not a baby. He got loans to lower league sides and then a perm transfer to a lower league side. Then he got a transfer to the Portuguese league where he has been tearing it up since last season and now people are talking about him giving Manchester United multiple years of "world class performances", it's just a bit much.
Not based on anything really other then I just think Sesko is the tits.
fairHe is the new age perennial muppet hope after all. Our modern version of Sneijder, Gaitan or Vidal.