Which of our non strikers could do a job at 9?

FiiiiveTenHaaags

Full Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2022
Messages
491
At this point, it’s clear striker is our next major area of need in the market. Ronaldo is finished, Martial is very fragile, and Rashford is better out wide.

Given that there’s a high chance we won’t do anything in Jan, who could, rather than should, do a job there?

We’ve seen Eriksen and Bruno deployed at false 9 but I’m not convinced either of them are a great fit.

I’m thinking Sancho could maybe do a job there? There’s been a couple of times he’s looked calm in the box and made things happen (I’m thinking of Liverpool and also his set up for McT against Omin-whatever they’re called from Cyprus).

Also potentially Antony, he’s shown he can strike the ball well a couple of times.

What’s your take lads? Just to emphasise this is an emergency situation not an ideal one.
 
Ericksen is probably the best bet. That first outing may have been terrible but there was a lot wrong with the team that game. Sancho also may be ok in that type role. He functions well in traffic linking up and he's poised near the goal.

But I don't know that either changes too much for us. We still need guys who can finish. Most of our forwards can barely get a strike near the frame. So tired of watching opportunities go ten meters to the side or into the fifteenth row. It is maddening.
 
McTominay. He used to be a striker. In park the bus situations like tonight, he could be useful. He’s decent in the air and can striker the ball well.
 
No one really sticks out.

Elanga has decent physicality, pace and off the ball movement.

Everyone else is too slow or weak.
 
Why do we need to find a fake striker?

We have options. It's quite unlikely we will need to look beyond Rashford, Martial and Ronaldo. If we do I think that's a scenario that can be considered when it arrives. Not sure it matters that much, whatever disrupts the rest of the side the least. Bruno, Antony, Elanga whatever - you could make arguments for them but none will be that fantastic.
 
McT could be the unit upfront we're looking for, he's got the experience, the size and skills to be a nuisance and score some goals for us. I wonder if he could develop into the new Fellaini in the team if he ever gets a chance at Cfwd?.
 
If there's no "natural" choice than first let's think who needs to be left in current position.
For me Eriksen in midfield/AM, Antony on the right and Rashford on the left. I am not convinced about Bruno to be honest, always thought he's a good finisher with his feet and head, but he's slow and not a good dribbler so probably not a good fit for #9/false 9.

I think the priority should be to play Rashford on the left, therefore I would support giving Elanga a try up top. They can just form a fluid attack (like Rashford with Martial combo). Sancho looks like a good fit for #10 position, I would like to give him a try.

Wild try would be van de Beek as false #9, with two wide forwards playing more centrally in 433. I can't figure out that guy, but he has that ability to create a bit of chaos and openings in the box.

Neither of those things will happen with Bruno playing 100% minutes by default and Ronaldo being Ronaldo, so it's just a fun excersise.
 
I wouldn't mind trying Elanga at CF. I'm not sure he's much to offer with respect holding the ball up and bringing others into play but his pace, direct running and energy would help stretch teams and impose the press
 
Elanga has pace to help stretch teams. He's decent at heading the ball too.
 
Bruno. He has the play making quality of a false 9 and the ability to score. We have no other player capable of this.
 
For me Bruno. He takes shots on goals at every opportunity he gets, he is mobile, combatative and has good ball control. Of course someone needs to convince him to stay around the box. I think both Donny and Bruno can share the pitch together
 
Would any of our non strikers play as strikers for any other team in the Premier League??
I think that answers the question.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.