You mean like when we signed Sancho and then played him on the left wing when we needed a right winger and have had a bunch of players at their best on the left?
That actually sounds just like us. Sign someone and play them somewhere else
Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea | Confirmed
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That actually sounds just like us. Sign someone and play them somewhere else
Could we play him on the left moving Sancho over to the right while he deputize for Ronaldo in the center forward position?
As I feel Sancho might prefer the left but he isn't much of a goal scorer but in a functional set up would be very creative from the right.
You'd be better off playing Nkunku on the right to be honest. But neither Nkunku nor Sancho are right sided players so I believe you're on the wrong track here. You could even play Nkunku as a false 9. And the elefant in the room is, the direction you seem to take now with Rangnick and ETH suggests that Ronaldo won't be part of your future team.
Thing is, ETH plays differently to the systems Nkunku has been excelling in this season so it's hard to tell where he would fit in best. I'd probably go with the 8 or false 9 then. But if you plan to play him on the left to move Sancho to the right, I'd just sign Antony and get the best out of Sancho.
OK, the reports suggest Rangnick has been the one calling for the signing of Nkunku, I think he fancies him due to his industry, I feel it will be a requirement for any target this summer. So if we utilize Nkunku as a false 9 then we could go with a Sancho, Nkunku, Elanga front three, is Nkunku level good enough to make this work as a productive unit considering we'll also have Bruno supplementing that attack or would we also need to buy a right winger then, have in mind the target is top four.
Thanks @Zehner for the more detailed information. It seems you are describing Muller indeed. The issue is obviously where he will play since we already have Bruno and Sancho in the no 10 and LW. The only position left for Nkunku is the false 9 which back to ETH himself whether he’s planning to build his team based on false 9 or more traditional no 9.
30 goals and 18 assists already this season. He looks a terrific player any time I've seen him, hope we can bring him here.
Isn't this just outright bordering on Haaland type numbers for goal contributions?
I doubt we could get many good players for 20m or under. Don’t forget we’ve spend 25m+15m (40m) on Diallo alone, and he still haven’t make his mark for us yet. VDB cost us 40m and he still struggling in the league. These 2 are supposed to be good “value” signings at that time.
Is he really what ETH want base on his system and the players ability and position?
We shouldnt look too much into the statistics (goals or assists) but rather if he fits in what ETH wants instead. We hear all the time about the statistics esp goal or assists in here when discussing buying players but really some of the players need to fit the system and be a collective unit rather the sole unit we saw these few year.
We need to buy according to systems, style, the coach wants to set up rather just based solely on if he score a lot this aeason.
We shouldnt look too much into the statistics (goals or assists) but rather if he fits in what ETH wants instead. We hear all the time about the statistics esp goal or assists in here when discussing buying players but really some of the players need to fit the system and be a collective unit rather the sole unit we saw these few year.
We need to buy according to systems, style, the coach wants to set up rather just based solely on if he score a lot this aeason.
To be honest, Nkunku isn't the first player that comes to my mind when thinking of a potential ETH line up at United. I rate Rangnick but let's not forget he comes from a very different school of football than ETH. Nkunku excelled in systems that are very different to the Ajax one, so it's not really clear where he would play. It could be as a false 9, as a winger or as an 8, I'd say.
Generally, I believe Sancho and Nkunku have enough quality to run the show for a top 4 team in the EPL, yes. I believe in a cohesive system Sancho can become just as good in the EPL as he was in the Bundesliga - he's so underrated right now. Bruno Fernandes is a very difficult topic, though. He has good assist and goal stats but I think they come to the detriment of his team since he is so wasteful with possession. I believe a coach like ETH will think more about the "opportunity costs" of his plays (how many own chances could've been created and how many opponent chances prevented if he hadn't gifted the opponent so many easy turnovers?). I've also read a few times that his pressing behavior isn't very good. One way or another, Bruno would have to become much more tactically disciplined under ETH. His teams operate highly tactcal and Bruno is rather instinctive in his movement and decision making. I don't think it is a given that he'll play a huge role in United's future. On a sidenote, I think he'd compete with Nkunku for a spot.
Elanga is also difficult to tell since I haven't seen that much of him. But in general, I believe that cohesiveness beats quality, especially if you have the latter in other positions. So if Elanga is hungry and willing to learn, I can imagine that he's part of a line up able to get a top 4 finish at least as a complementary player. Personally, I'd still think getting Antony is a no brainer though. I'd rather go for him than for Nkunku if I had to choose. There aren't many left footed wingers around these days and he's incredibly talented. Not that Nkunku isn't as well but you'll have it easier to find a substitute for Nkunku on the market than for Antony - on top of having no player in your squad who really excels at RW in contrast to your direct competitors City and Liverpool.
I think looking at what we have done in the market is a bit blinkered.
Thanks for the information this means under ETH Nkunku is unlikely to be a priority then.
We paid £50m for Fred 80m for Maguire and 50m for AWB. So, £54m for Nkuku seems like a bargain, especially, if you compare that to what they are quoting for Declan Rice.
But realistically, you really think 20m can get us good players we needed?
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50m for an attacker with that number is about the going rate nowadays, we should get him in anyway given how many players are going in the summer.
Realistically, with the wages we are freeing up, we can spend about 200m this summer and still end up with a cheaper squad. Add in a couple of freebies like Kamara/Rudiger and half the first team is sorted.
Realistically, with the wages we are freeing up, we can spend about 200m this summer and still end up with a cheaper squad. Add in a couple of freebies like Kamara/Rudiger and half the first team is sorted.
Not really. It was more of buying players for commercial reasons/star power or average players we didn’t need. Nkunku is a brilliant player and he and Sancho could interchange on the left and right, he can play up front and he could play as a 10/the most advanced midfielder in a three if Bruno is out. I’m just of the opinion that this is a can’t miss player and we’ll regret it if we don’t at least try to sign him. Same with Tchouameni.
No I don’t in all honesty, but I think we could get 2/3 possibly. I know social media and football coverage, its harder for unheard of gems, but that is something we have failed to do in a long time. We are signing youth players but the Henize, Chicharito, Ole, Johnsen etc etc type signings we have failed to do for ages I feel. Do think there are a few in leagues like France def under £30m that could be good signings
Watching goldbridge on the united stand, his video from this morning, he’s saying nkunku isn’t worth 52 million and he wouldn’t pay it and that hardly any clubs will be in for him. He also said he would pay 45. What utter Bullshite.
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From what I've read here, if ETH deploys a 4231 or 433 formation he could cover LW, RW, CF or as a no.10?
I never paid much attention to him but was he more of a no.8 in his PSG/early Leipzig days?
I never paid much attention to him but was he more of a no.8 in his PSG/early Leipzig days?
So why are you watching him then?
That was your first mistake.
Will probably play in the europa league final so that should be a nice showcase for him.(and another fellow)
I like him. But he’s chatting shite there.So why are you watching him then?
He’s very negative at the moment.Ah okay, fair enough.I like him. But he’s chatting shite there.
Ignoring your taste in videos (no idea why anyone would watch someone like that for their football opinions), in this case he might be right.
We're only a few months on from paying £70m for Sancho who had similar if not better figures in the Bundesliga and has looked far from value for money so far.
he can be funny and I like the different fan channels. It gives me a daily united fix. He is extremely negative though. I used to watch him a lot more.
and exactly that, if sancho is 70mil then nkunku is 50
I feel like a big part of Sancho's issues stem from our terrible style of play. No one is shining in our attack. ETH should see Sancho become more influential, and a proper counterpart on the other side of the field will also help in that regard.
Yeah hopefully. He needs a good pre season too.
His productivity stats are very impressive.
His returns are overperforming his expected stats. 0.64 goals vs 0.44 xG, 0.49 assists vs 0.35 xA. At which point you'd normally worry that he's overperforming and will regress.
But those expected stats are so high in their own right that even taking that regression into account he'd be fine. 95th percentile for xG, 95th for xA, 99th for NPxG+xA, etc.
His returns are overperforming his expected stats. 0.64 goals vs 0.44 xG, 0.49 assists vs 0.35 xA. At which point you'd normally worry that he's overperforming and will regress.
But those expected stats are so high in their own right that even taking that regression into account he'd be fine. 95th percentile for xG, 95th for xA, 99th for NPxG+xA, etc.
Who does he want then I wonder, what's the betting if someone asked he would duck the question
He played quite a few games as a CM with PSG. He was always seen as a jack of all trades but never as the number one option, as a CM or as a winger.
He'd be perfect for City, Bayern or Barcelona in the Torres role.
But I really think it would be a bad idea to bring him in a team like yours or Arsenal.
Bruno hasn't been "our best player" in at least a year for what it's worth. But if that's your logic then I'm not going to bother explaining my postYes! Let’s sell our best player in the last two years! Epic idea!
I like Goldbridge, exactly what you said, he's funny, he gives me a venue to take in more United information. I don't agree on everything, but I don't with any other fan. I suppose I could listen to Steven Howson, and be conveniently reminded every 5 mins he's friends with Rio, but his show just isn't nearly as enjoyable.
A lot of hate for Goldbridge in here, but he's just a fan with an opinion, he's clear about that, he just happens to be a good talker and people want to listen to his opinion because of it. I think a lot of people are jealous of the fact 1.3 million people cares what Goldbridge thinks about United and not what they think. I think there is also the top red factor, I don't know any other sports club where some groups of fans feel like other groups of fans have to support the club the way want you to or you aren't real fans. I think Goldbridge gives a voice and a sense of belonging to the people that might think differently then those top fans.
I would sell Bruno without hesitation to get Nkunku, and have him play like Muller does with Bayern.
Put Nunez in front of him, Anthony on the right and Sancho on the left.
You get a lot more skills, energy, creativity and excitement with that front 4.
Gone are Bruno, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Mata, Pereira. You’re only as good as your recent form.
Let Ronaldo leave if he wants to. He would be a good model for those youngsters, but I would understand if he wants Champions League football.
Put Nunez in front of him, Anthony on the right and Sancho on the left.
You get a lot more skills, energy, creativity and excitement with that front 4.
Gone are Bruno, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Mata, Pereira. You’re only as good as your recent form.
Let Ronaldo leave if he wants to. He would be a good model for those youngsters, but I would understand if he wants Champions League football.
Theres always the chance that nkunku could be the next pepe (arsenal). Pepe looked amazing at lille, the system at lille suited him perfectly, went to arsenal and has massively disappointed.
It could be that nkunku is a player enjoying a brilliant season due to the system he is playing in. Comes to utd and we dont play the way he needs and we end up with a busted flush.
It could be that nkunku is a player enjoying a brilliant season due to the system he is playing in. Comes to utd and we dont play the way he needs and we end up with a busted flush.
The same can be said to any players going to any leagues. There is no guaranteed success for anyone.
Who would’ve thought Salah would be a world beater after failing at Chelsea and rebuilding himself at Roma? Or De Bruyne failing at Chelsea and rebuilding at Wolfsburg?
Or that Messi, despite going to a club full of superstars in a weaker league, would be absolutely anonymous this season?
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Almost!
Nkunku all comps for Leipzig 21/22:
Minutes played: 3549
Non penalty goals per 90: 0,71 npG/90 (28 goals)
Non penalty goals + Assists: 1,19 npG+A/90 (28 goals+19 assists)
Haaland all comps for Dortmund 21/22:
Minutes played: 2035
Non penalty goals per 90: 0,93 npG/90 (21 goals)
Non penalty goals + Assists: 1,28 npG+A/90 (21 goals+8 assists)
Worth mentioning:
Lewandowski all comps for Bayern 21/22:
Minutes played: 3646
Non penalty goals per 90: 0,96 npG/90 (39 goals)
Non penalty goals + Assists: 1,11 npG+A/90 (39 goals+6 assists)
Have never delivered end product like this before, but the numbers he has to show for from earlier is good too.
Is a pressing machine.
Great player!
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Pepe was always hopeless- he just stat padded with penalties. Take those out and his contribution was very unimpressive. How Arsenal didn't spot that is a (hilarious) mystery.
Pepe that one season at Lille (all comps):
Minutes played: 3537
Non penalty goals per 90: 0,36 npG/90 (14 goals)
Non penalty goals + Assists: 0,66 npG+A/90 (14 goals+12 assists)
Nkunku all comps for Leipzig this season:
Minutes played: 3549
Non penalty goals per 90: 0,71 npG/90 (28 goals)
Non penalty goals + Assists: 1,19 npG+A/90 (28 goals+19 assists)
And in a stronger league, CL and EL KO-rounds. Not really comparable.
Except for the pricetag.......
There is no such thing as a guaranteed success though so it will allways come with risk.
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