Darwin Núñez / signs for Liverpool

SportingCP96 · Apr 18, 2022

He’s only 22 and obviously worth a gamble at the right price. He looks a player that would fit perfectly in Atlético Madrid.

The problem is the price at 80M is over kill.

Last season compared to this season their has been a MAJOR improvement in his game. With 4 games left he has a real chance of hitting 40 goals for the season which would get a lot of clubs attentions.

His type of build causes headaches for the Portuguese league. Portuguese defenders struggle with tall strong forwards. That’s why many people are skeptical about the 80M price tag.

Nonetheless if I am the director of a top club I would say he’s worth the gamble at 50M.

You can’t risk making another mistake like you did with maguire etc.

My opinion, take the chance.

arthurka · Apr 18, 2022

Cassidy said:
Lets see what Ronaldo has to say about that

That's true.

Mickeza · Apr 19, 2022

There’s lots to like in this - great ball carrying, constant intense running in behind, couple of very good crosses, wonderful switch of play on the volley, class finish and good assist…but there are quite a few passes that are so bad you’re just left scratching your head…it isn’t a technique issue it’s a decision making/concentration issue which should get better as he matures…I think that ‘stupidest good player you’ll see’ description is very apt :lol:

croadyman · Apr 19, 2022

Surely this guy is a must with Haaland at that lot across the City next season

Strootman's Finger · Apr 19, 2022

SportingCP96 said:
He’s only 22 and obviously worth a gamble at the right price. He looks a player that would fit perfectly in Atlético Madrid.

The problem is the price at 80M is over kill.

Last season compared to this season their has been a MAJOR improvement in his game. With 4 games left he has a real chance of hitting 40 goals for the season which would get a lot of clubs attentions.

His type of build causes headaches for the Portuguese league. Portuguese defenders struggle with tall strong forwards. That’s why many people are skeptical about the 80M price tag.

Nonetheless if I am the director of a top club I would say he’s worth the gamble at 50M.

You can’t risk making another mistake like you did with maguire etc.

My opinion, take the chance.

Why do people keep saying this? Those anti-football hacks play a 5-5-0 formation, where would a striker fit in? And if they need one they have Joao Feliz, who's the same age. And if you are an attacking player why in the world would you want to play in that horrid team?

TwoSheds · Apr 19, 2022

We used to have 4 top class strikers. Having 2 should not be a problem, nobody can play every minute of every game, particularly when someone is 38.

amolbhatia50k · Apr 19, 2022

croadyman said:
Surely this guy is a must with Haaland at that lot across the City next season

You must have seen a lot for him to be a must.

croadyman · Apr 19, 2022

amolbhatia50k said:
You must have seen a lot for him to be a must.

The goals against the scousers albeit in a losing cause already have won me over

SportingCP96 · Apr 19, 2022

Strootman's Finger said:
Why do people keep saying this? Those anti-football hacks play a 5-5-0 formation, where would a striker fit in? And if they need one they have Joao Feliz, who's the same age. And if you are an attacking player why in the world would you want to play in that horrid team?

Felix isn’t the style player that succeeds at that club.

Bulldogs like Diego Costa, Radamel Falcão etc do. Darwin fits like a glove their.

Felix is the complete opposite style of player that Atlético typically look for.

Strootman's Finger · Apr 19, 2022

SportingCP96 said:
Felix isn’t the style player that succeeds at that club.

Bulldogs like Diego Costa, Radamel Falcão etc do. Darwin fits like a glove their.

Felix is the complete opposite style of player that Atlético typically look for.

This makes a good amount of sense, I'm just not sure why an attacking player would want to play in such a negative system where you will be isolated so much. The pinpoint of a fluid attack, like that of a ten Hag system, seems much more desirable.

Idxomer · Apr 19, 2022

SportingCP96 said:
Felix isn’t the style player that succeeds at that club.

Bulldogs like Diego Costa, Radamel Falcão etc do. Darwin fits like a glove their.

Felix is the complete opposite style of player that Atlético typically look for.

They had Aguero at one time.

Adam-Utd · Apr 19, 2022

Mickeza said:
There’s lots to like in this - great ball carrying, constant intense running in behind, couple of very good crosses, wonderful switch of play on the volley, class finish and good assist…but there are quite a few passes that are so bad you’re just left scratching your head…it isn’t a technique issue it’s a decision making/concentration issue which should get better as he matures…I think that ‘stupidest good player you’ll see’ description is very apt

for all the naysayers his technique/hold up play looks absolutely fine here.

The odd sloppy pass but you’d find that in every 90 min match. He’s a solid player with a hunger and desire we really could do with.

SportingCP96 · Apr 19, 2022

Idxomer said:
They had Aguero at one time.

Also in a time before Simeone.

Atléticos most successful period in their history has been with Simeone and guys like Diego Costa and falcão were brilliant for them.

Lash · Apr 21, 2022

Good video from Howson on him.

sullydnl · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
Good video from Howson on him.

How his style of play would gel with us and his overperformance this season were obvious red flags but didn't know about that knee problem. Not that people don't regularly move past those sort of injury issues but it's another potential issue to note.

Given we'd definitely be overpaying for him, it'd be at very least a risky signing.

There's no real stand-out CF option so I'd very much hope our scouts come through this time.

Xanther · Apr 21, 2022

SportingCP96 said:
Felix isn’t the style player that succeeds at that club.

Bulldogs like Diego Costa, Radamel Falcão etc do. Darwin fits like a glove their.

Felix is the complete opposite style of player that Atlético typically look for.

Man what a possibility

if Utd sign Felix for a ten Hag system. Instant fan favourite

clonsolar · Apr 21, 2022

sullydnl said:
How his style of play would gel with us and his overperformance this season were obvious red flags but didn't know about that knee problem. Not that people don't regularly move past those sort of injury issues but it's another potential issue to note.

Given we'd definitely be overpaying for him, it'd be at very least a risky signing.

There's no real stand-out CF option so I'd very much hope our scouts come through this time.

Dortmund are after this guy as Haaland's replacement. That means we should be in for him given their scouting proficiency.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karim_Adeyemi

Bestietom · Apr 21, 2022

Nunez and Nkunku should be priorities after we fix our midfield.
Hope it's true we have 200million transfer fund. We will need what we get from sales on top of this, to just start to fix this team.

Lash · Apr 21, 2022

sullydnl said:
How his style of play would gel with us and his overperformance this season were obvious red flags but didn't know about that knee problem. Not that people don't regularly move past those sort of injury issues but it's another potential issue to note.

Given we'd definitely be overpaying for him, it'd be at very least a risky signing.

There's no real stand-out CF option so I'd very much hope our scouts come through this time.

I personally think if Ronaldo is staying, there's no problem in going for someone who wants to prove themselves at a level they've not played at - Brereton Diaz for example.

I think for me Benfica are looking to cash in and I don't think we have the funds to risk on a signing like this.

pcaming · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
Good video from Howson on him.

Those stats are kinda shocking, worst than Lukaku even.

RedRonaldo · Apr 21, 2022

Nou_Camp99 said:
There's no way Nunez comes to us to play second fiddle to Ronaldo even if for just one season. It's simply not going to happen.

Actually Ronaldo still play as wing forward for Portugal. Just saying, there might be a chance both can start together, even if Ronaldo stays.

Lash · Apr 21, 2022

pcaming said:
Those stats are kinda shocking, worst than Lukaku even.

I knew from the eye test he was erratic, but didn't realise stasticially he was that bad.

JanK · Apr 21, 2022

sullydnl said:
How his style of play would gel with us and his overperformance this season were obvious red flags but didn't know about that knee problem. Not that people don't regularly move past those sort of injury issues but it's another potential issue to note.

Given we'd definitely be overpaying for him, it'd be at very least a risky signing.

There's no real stand-out CF option so I'd very much hope our scouts come through this time.

Well, we don't have the old chief scouts at the club, so I guess Ragnick and ETH have the info and will steer clear of him.

sullydnl · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
I personally think if Ronaldo is staying, there's no problem in going for someone who wants to prove themselves at a level they've not played at - Brereton Diaz for example.

I think for me Benfica are looking to cash in and I don't think we have the funds to risk on a signing like this.

Of all the positions we're looking to strengthen this summer, this is the one I have least clue which direction we should go in. Not helped by ETH having been quite flexible with the type of striker he's used in the past.

Of the names being mentioned I've actually watched Osimhen is the option I like the most but he'd no doubt cost an absolute fortune. Beyond that.... *shrugs*

Drizzle · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
Good video from Howson on him.

Whether you agree with this video or not, it's refreshing to see something different to the usual 'why Player X is perfect for United' puff piece.

Like the vast majority here I've watched very little of Nunez other than YouTube videos, and I simply have not seen enough to feel confident that this guy is worth splashing out big money for. He'd improve our squad, yes, but we really need a striker capable of not only putting away 20-25 goals minimum every season, but also with some intelligence and technique to help us become a smart modern attacking unit. I have my doubts.

Judas · Apr 21, 2022

Do not want.

Lash · Apr 21, 2022

sullydnl said:
Of all the positions we're looking to strengthen this summer, this is the one I have least clue which direction we should go in. Not helped by ETH having been quite flexible with the type of striker he's used in the past.

Of the names being mentioned I've actually watched Osimhen is the option I like the most but he'd no doubt cost an absolute fortune. Beyond that.... *shrugs*

Agreed, it's hard to also say how much I'd want to budget for it. If Ronaldo can still score and some how ETH gets other scoring more - is it a priority to spend a lot on it?

Escobar · Apr 21, 2022

Adam-Utd said:
for all the naysayers his technique/hold up play looks absolutely fine here.

The odd sloppy pass but you’d find that in every 90 min match. He’s a solid player with a hunger and desire we really could do with.

Fully agreed. And his goal was sublime

jackal&hyde · Apr 21, 2022

pcaming said:
Those stats are kinda shocking, worst than Lukaku even.

Yes. Those that have a problem with Ronaldo and Lukaku for not doing much else then goal scoring are going to lose their minds if we get this guy. As a pure goal scorer he looks great but the all round game will create a lot of meme videos around Youtube.

sullydnl · Apr 21, 2022

jackal&hyde said:
Yes. Those that have a problem with Ronaldo and Lukaku for not doing much else then goal scoring are going to lose their minds if we get this guy. As a pure goal scorer he looks great but the all round game will create a lot of meme videos around Youtube.

Tbf his off the ball work-rate is better than either Ronaldo or Lukaku's, so in that sense he would add more than just goals.

bosnian_red · Apr 21, 2022

I think for a striker like him, you have a huge scale of possibilities. He could be a Cavani, a Haaland, or he could be a Lukaku type (or something where he just doesn't end up as a high level player of course). He is big, fast and strong and has good movement clearly, and his finishing has been excellent. Even with an xG overperformance, he's still putting up strong xG numbers so I don't think that's so much of a big deal. He is young after all. There are risks with him and he might not work out, but there is nobody obvious, and he might end up an excellent striker.

I'd be ok going for him as we really don't have anyone else and there are slim pickings elsewhere, and in addition to his poacher like instincts, he is a really hard worker off the ball. Definite not an option without risks, and ideally if we can spend that money on a player, I'd prioritize Tchouameni and Antony first as both seem ideal. But just looking at the striker position....I dunno. Might work. Might fail. A lot of it is mentality for a player like him.

jackal&hyde · Apr 21, 2022

sullydnl said:
Tbf his off the ball work-rate is better than either Ronaldo or Lukaku's, so in that sense he would add more than just goals.

Yeah you're probably right. I'm just going by the stats as I've not seen much of him. But a great player in the build up (like Rooney or what Pool and City have) he is certainly not. Goals need to come from somewhere so even though I'm not a fan of forwards that are limited on the ball, I'll trust ETH on whatever choice he makes.

bosnian_red · Apr 21, 2022

jackal&hyde said:
Yes. Those that have a problem with Ronaldo and Lukaku for not doing much else then goal scoring are going to lose their minds if we get this guy. As a pure goal scorer he looks great but the all round game will create a lot of meme videos around Youtube.

A lot of it is to do with defensive work though. Ronaldo and Lukaku are poachers who are lazy fecks defensively. Darwin at least works hard defensively. His style of play and weaknesses are similar to someone like Haaland. His range of outcomes could be anything like Haaland, of Cavani (who has always looked clumsy), but it could also be something like Lukaku as he develops with the same weaknesses. In general, id say the biggest difference between Lukaku and Haaland for example is pretty much just mentality and work rate. It has a huge impact and we don't know where Darwin sits on that scale.

Adam-Utd · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
Good video from Howson on him.

Contradicts himself a fair bit here.

Says Benfica dominate possession, then goes on about him doing it against Liverpool, Bayern because he's good at counter attacking. Then asks if he can do it in a possession based side against teams that sit back?

so which is it.

He scores goals whether teams sit back and defend or step up and play a high line.

jackal&hyde · Apr 21, 2022

bosnian_red said:
A lot of it is to do with defensive work though. Ronaldo and Lukaku are poachers who are lazy fecks defensively. Darwin at least works hard defensively. His style of play and weaknesses are similar to someone like Haaland. His range of outcomes could be anything like Haaland, of Cavani (who has always looked clumsy), but it could also be something like Lukaku as he develops with the same weaknesses. In general, id say the biggest difference between Lukaku and Haaland for example is pretty much just mentality and work rate. It has a huge impact and we don't know where Darwin sits on that scale.

I don't have much more to say on the issue as I've not seen him play much. The stats for all round play look horrific though. Cavani I'd say is a good all round footballer so I don't think comparisons are in order. The Haaland comparison is interesting though as I don't particularly rate him as a ball player either, though he still looks better.

I just get the feeling that if he is as bad at general play as the stats indicate, the only way this works is if the rest of the team is very good around him; else he will get tons of hate in the form of 'our attack dies with him' type of thing. He doesn't strike me as a "total football" type of player, but if he is chosen, then I trust RR and ETH.

bosnian_red · Apr 21, 2022

jackal&hyde said:
I don't have much more to say on the issue as I've not seen him play much. The stats for all round play look horrific though. Cavani I'd say is a good all round footballer so I don't think comparisons are in order. The Haaland comparison is interesting though as I don't particularly rate him as a ball player either, though he still looks better.

I just get the feeling that if he is as bad at general play as the stats indicate, the only way this works is if the rest of the team is very good around him; else he will get tons of hate in the form of 'our attack dies with him' type of thing. He doesn't strike me as a "total football" type of player, but if he is chosen, then I trust RR and ETH.

I agree for sure, there are a lot of risks with it. I doubt many on here have seen much of him. First YouTube video I saw of him I said "meh". But we need a striker, as I don't think Ronaldo fits Ten Hag at all (and the man is 37 ffs). But Ten Hag has shown he is adaptable, and having a poacher can at least drag your team up the table a bit, even if they aren't the long term striker. Kane isn't happening and past him, we literally haven't been linked with anybody, nor do I have any idea who we'd be linked with. I would love Gerard Moreno but he's on a long term deal with Villareal so likely not an option. So it's all up in the air. If Darwin Nunez can play with the intensity that Haaland has and Lukaku lacks, then I think he can make up for his short comings.

Ideally we'd all love a Benzema or Lewandowski or RvP again, but that isn't happening, so with what is available now, I'd be OK with Darwin. On Cavani, it's funny but I remember really not liking him for years. At Napoli, for Uruguay, for PSG, I always felt he was an overrated poacher who was clunky on the ball. But he has a good mentality, was a hard worker and just kept on scoring in different ways. If Darwin can do that, then the clunkiness in build up and link up can be overcome.

jackal&hyde · Apr 21, 2022

bosnian_red said:
I agree for sure, there are a lot of risks with it. I doubt many on here have seen much of him. First YouTube video I saw of him I said "meh". But we need a striker, as I don't think Ronaldo fits Ten Hag at all (and the man is 37 ffs). But Ten Hag has shown he is adaptable, and having a poacher can at least drag your team up the table a bit, even if they aren't the long term striker. Kane isn't happening and past him, we literally haven't been linked with anybody, nor do I have any idea who we'd be linked with. I would love Gerard Moreno but he's on a long term deal with Villareal so likely not an option. So it's all up in the air. If Darwin Nunez can play with the intensity that Haaland has and Lukaku lacks, then I think he can make up for his short comings.

Ideally we'd all love a Benzema or Lewandowski or RvP again, but that isn't happening, so with what is available now, I'd be OK with Darwin. On Cavani, it's funny but I remember really not liking him for years. At Napoli, for Uruguay, for PSG, I always felt he was an overrated poacher who was clunky on the ball. But he has a good mentality, was a hard worker and just kept on scoring in different ways. If Darwin can do that, then the clunkiness in build up and link up can be overcome.

Yeah I agree with all of that. Exiting times ahead. At least for once we can have a bit of trust that people in charge of recruitment know what they're doing.

Lash · Apr 21, 2022

Adam-Utd said:
Contradicts himself a fair bit here.

Says Benfica dominate possession, then goes on about him doing it against Liverpool, Bayern because he's good at counter attacking. Then asks if he can do it in a possession based side against teams that sit back? so which is it.

He scores goals whether teams sit back and defend or step up and play a high line.

To be honest, I didn't really take that bit too seriously - was a bit reductive. The possession stats alarmed me the most.

Adam-Utd · Apr 21, 2022

Lash said:
To be honest, I didn't really take that bit too seriously - was a bit reductive. The possession stats alarmed me the most.

He really doesn't look that bad though from what I've seen.

Sure he's untidy in places, but you only need to look at those every touch videos to see he's nowhere near as bad as they make out?

You then have to take into account he's an absolute goal machine. Do we really need him involved in the build up play if we have Sancho, Fernandes and Nkunku/Antony (insert your pick) supplying the goods?

At the end of the day we need to buy somebody. I don't see many other amazing up and coming strikers out there. We could play it safe and go tried/tested? maybe even get Pukki on the cheap.

I'm sure Ten Hag will know exactly what he wants. Maybe we will get Nkunku and play him as a false 9, but as far as i'm aware Ten Hag has often played with bigger number 9s?

sullydnl · Apr 21, 2022

bosnian_red said:
I agree for sure, there are a lot of risks with it. I doubt many on here have seen much of him. First YouTube video I saw of him I said "meh". But we need a striker, as I don't think Ronaldo fits Ten Hag at all (and the man is 37 ffs). But Ten Hag has shown he is adaptable, and having a poacher can at least drag your team up the table a bit, even if they aren't the long term striker. Kane isn't happening and past him, we literally haven't been linked with anybody, nor do I have any idea who we'd be linked with. I would love Gerard Moreno but he's on a long term deal with Villareal so likely not an option. So it's all up in the air. If Darwin Nunez can play with the intensity that Haaland has and Lukaku lacks, then I think he can make up for his short comings.

Ideally we'd all love a Benzema or Lewandowski or RvP again, but that isn't happening, so with what is available now, I'd be OK with Darwin. On Cavani, it's funny but I remember really not liking him for years. At Napoli, for Uruguay, for PSG, I always felt he was an overrated poacher who was clunky on the ball. But he has a good mentality, was a hard worker and just kept on scoring in different ways. If Darwin can do that, then the clunkiness in build up and link up can be overcome.

Agree entirely with this take but the additional issue of his apparent overperformance this season in terms of returns is what tilts me against the transfer. I fear we'd be paying a 33 goal season price based on a 33 goal outlier season. Which isn't a good starting point for a player who comes with those other flaws.

Darwin Núñez / signs for Liverpool

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