Comparing Gakpo to Greenwood is quite the stretch. Greenwood was as pure of a striker of the ball as you could find in the game, and was two footed to boot. He was tipped as the next great striker because that was his position throughout the academy ranks, and it came more natural to him.
I think Gakpo could be effective in a similar vein to when Rashford plays at 9, especially if he’s more comfortable than Rashford on his weaker side, but he’s not going to start over Martial when both are fit and I’m not sure he’d start over Rashford either. So we’d be paying a decent sized sum for a rotational piece with no clear path into the starting XI as of now.
If ETH is dead set on him then so be it I’m happy, but I can understand some of the hesitance given the similarities he has with one of our own already.
The rashford comparison I dont really see. Rashford's game so far since the academy has been all about utilizing his great stride & searing pace to get in behind on the last shoulder of a high line or to pull off tricks with good footwork to beat his man 1 on 1 before creating a chance or shot on goal. That being said, even rashford has been showing signs of all-round development at #9 with some of his hold up play and assists recently like for Antony's debut goal!
It doesn't always come natural to players but I dont think people put enough value on the lack of high level coaching that most of our players have endured since they came through or got bought. There is that sense in the last few years of the "united curse" that people turn rubbish eventually coming here and for me it's been the coaching. Now we have Ten Hag who is the first manager with clear philosophy we've had since frankly Van Gaal ( I know, crazy! ) with a progressive footballing ideology that has clear principles and tasks for each position to fulfill. It is so much easier for a player to then slot in, adapt and learn to fulfill those duties in the system when there is coherent structure and clear ideas that actually work. VanGallball, Mourinhoball Oleball/Mckennaball was functional, but not progressive or communicated well enough.
I do agree though for the most part, Gakpo is at the moment primarily Left Winger and we are stacked there already.
No I dont want Garnacho's impressive rise to be hindered whatsoever, top prospect there and gametime will be scant enough as it is.
Are there realistically other attainable striker targets out there that good data-scouting could unearth beyond the maguire-level obvious picks of Toney et al...honestly yes...But I do trust this managers judgement and having obviously watched him develop for years at PSV whilst managing Ajax, if ETH thinks this guy has attributes that can be used and developed in his system at LW RW & ST then im all for it. He's done left foot, right foot and a brave headed goal all from movement into central positions on the world cup stage, he certainly knows where the net is.
And Let's be honest most of us love Tony Martial but the man is injured every single season without fail, won't be suprised if we go for another striker eventually if Martial cant accept a squad role in his new contract.