Funny how our fans suddenly want him, when we were linked there was a feeling he wasn't the right player
Hugo Ekitike | Athletic: United enquire about availability | Liverpool in pole position to sign | Frankfurt want €100m
- Thread starter Berbaclass
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Nik (@Rood), Jamie (@Vault Dweller) and Ed (@That'sHernandez) give their end of season awards out! They celebrate the best players, goals and moments of the season (there were some, honestly) and also give out awards for the worst and most disappointing players/moments of the season.
They then discuss all the latest transfer rumours and get into the potential ins and outs this summer at Old Trafford.
We enquired about him but we were put off by the asking price.
Sesko is soft
Even in our best years, Pool still used to get players like Torres, Alonso and Suarez from under our noses ( I heard we were interested in them too at that time)
I wish we could steal few players like that now who can improve us.
Nah, I think people ignored him because of the fee. But when Gyokeres will cost almost the same and with little resale value and a lower ceiling, it only required a tentative link to Ekiteke to get the muppetry going. He's a higher risk player I suspect, but with potentially much higher reward, hence why Liverpool are going after him unfortunately.
Honestly, the average fan has so much tunnel vision that they only really know about (a) the biggest names, and (b) the names being reported. Liverpool was linked early on, and you had a whole host of online Liverpool fans pulling up stats and saying how unique and great Ekitike was. As soon as Ekitike gets linked to United the curious United fan starts digging - what sort of player is this, what's his stats profile like, how would he fit into the team etc. - and comes away with a picture of a really exciting young talent with a very rare blend of traits that could complement the other business we seem to be doing (Cunha, Mbeumo) really well.
Then you've also got the bandwagon-fans who just jump on the new shiny toy, or are desperate for someone, anyone, to come in and take Højlund's place. There were plenty of fans wanting him when we were being linked, you must have quite selective reading if you think they only want him when it seems Liverpool are going for him.
By the way - what is the situation with him and Liverpool at the moment? Haven't seen many updates on it
EDIT: OK I've seen the Romano posts now, and Burkhardt going to Frankfurt. Seems like there's movement behind the scenes. Blimey Liverpool are spending big this window, and selling well too
I know many may not agree. There is a reason why ST is not our top priority. It seems we want Cunha and Mbeumo as priority.
Hojlund or Zirkzee playing in front of Cunha, Mbeumo and Bruno may be sufficient for next season to get Top 4/5? There is potential in Hojlund and Zirkzee. Last season our problem was creating enough chances for the ST.
Having said that we should improve on ST and GK if we still have the funds
Hojlund or Zirkzee playing in front of Cunha, Mbeumo and Bruno may be sufficient for next season to get Top 4/5? There is potential in Hojlund and Zirkzee. Last season our problem was creating enough chances for the ST.
Having said that we should improve on ST and GK if we still have the funds
I don't remember them finishing outside the top 10 in those years. That matters.
In fact, Torres, Alonso and all of the 2005-2009 lot signed when they were regularly in the CL and even making it to the later stages regardless of their league form.
Not to mention they have ridiculous luck with goal scorers in general. Other than the gap between Suarez leaving and Salah arriving, I can't recall a time when they didn't have a world class forward. And even in that gap, they had Sturridge who had the class, just couldn't stay fit.
Well it certainly looks like higher priority than CM when you see articles from the likes of Ducker and Whitwell
No chance. The top 5 are way better than any side with Hojlund or Zirkzee in.
I think it was more of our CF not being able to get to where the balls were being placed instead of us not creating a chance. Osimhen turns half of the balls sent into Hoijlund into goalscoring chances, for example whilst a well rounded forward holds up the ball better which turns hopeful punts upfield into an attacking move that ends up in either a chance or retained possession.
Mbuemo, Cunha and Zirkzee have a chance as trio to do better but ideally you want your CF to be like Suarez/Lewa/RVP/Rooney ie someone who can create for others whilst being a significant goal threat himself. I think we will see more from Zirkzee but sadly Hoijlund is too far gone though he has youth on his side.
A reminder that Mbeumo scored 20, Wissa 19 and Schade 11 for Brentford.
They finished 10th with 56pts.
Now Cunha has to improve on his numbers and Mbeumo 20 to get similar.
Diallo could cover Schade but at Wing back is that certain?
Bruno deeper? Maybe similar to Schade too at max.
So while i am not saying you wont add elsewhere too, at this moment you need more than 2 goalscorers to be getting top 4 c'mon.
You're probably right, but what was the goal breakdown for Liverpool last season? I'm fairly sure it was only Salah, Gakpo and Diaz that got into double figures. Salah did a huge amount of heavy lifting.
We don't have anything close to a Salah to do that for us, unfortunately, so we definitely need a striker that can guarantee (if there is such a thing) 15 goals, as well as Cunha and Mbuemo. Hoping that one of Højlund or Zirkzee might suddenly improve is a big risk.
It's by the by anyway, as United fans probably need to be realistic and aim for EL qualification. If they somehow manage to snag UCL through 5th then it would be a massive accomplishment.
Goal scorers are essential, but improvement across the board is needed. Some of those will have to wait until next summer.
Yes and the next big thing could be a Ramos or Kolo Muani or some other "failure" rotting on the bench of a super club with more money than sense. I hate the lack of creativity with United's striker recruitment. Either buying fading stars or paying peak prices, getting scammed on wages and then you see teams like Frankfurt/Leverkusen and the likes make €100mn strikers from scrap. Given money constraints and the relative strength at 10 (if we can get Mbeumo over the line), I'd just love if we could do one of those left field deals - Marcos Leonardo in a swap with Sancho to Al-Hilal (of course. It's entertaining to see the likes of Nunez flopping hard.
Anyway. Every year, there will always be "the next big thing". For example, Ekitike was a nothing player just a year ago.
), Mo Kader Meite, George Ilenikhena or some next big thing from Mali that Vivell has been monitoring in stealth mode for a while even Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a cut price deal!I’ve wanted this guy for our 9 for months.
Will be absolutely gutted if he goes to Liverpool. He’ll fit there like a glove.
Will be absolutely gutted if he goes to Liverpool. He’ll fit there like a glove.
He's my top preference for striker by a long ways but I am genuinely unsure if we should be prioritizing striker. Hojlund with a proper preseason under Amorim can do a job with Bruno, Cunha, and Mbeumo (hopefully) behind him. Think it would be much better to spend on a DM upgrade of Ugarte to partner Bruno and a GK. Risky, perhaps to not 'ensure' more goals from the leader of the line however I do wonder if we might look at striker as the final piece to Amorim's puzzle next summer.
What in the world have you seen from Hojlund to come to that conclusion?
I would prefer to spend big on midfield to striker myself but don't know how you'd have faith in Hojlund coming good apart from blind faith. Zero evidence to show he's in any way capable of excelling at this level. Honestly think Wheatley or Chido will be coming for his role this year.
Pace. Pressing. Ball Carrying. Finishing.
8 goal involvements in 15 European matches last season.
He's had plenty of matches and moments in matches where he's looked the top class striker we paid for a couple years ago. He's 22 so not yet even near his prime. He's had to carry the load for a dysfunctional side for two seasons after a huge money move to a new league and country. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that he goes on to be an elite striker. He's the same age now, 22 at the start of the season, as Ruud when he broke out at PSV.
Burkardt seems more like a move that gives Frankfurt flexibility rather than a definitive indication they plan on selling Ekitike. They really haven't replaced Marmoush yet. Wahi was brought in when Marmoush went out but has been a complete bust so far and doesn't look like a player they can count on for much. And Ekitike could easily play as one of the 10s just behind Burkardt in the 3-4-3 that Toppmoller likes, so its not like you can only play one at a time.
Finishing? You must be joking, the only goals he scored in the latter half of the season were tap ins from within the 6 yard box. It isn’t out of the realms of possibility that Sancho goes on to be a United legend, but all the tangible facts points towards the contrary.
Last year he couldnt even do his WWE finishing move after wrestling defenders for 90 minutes. If he's still at the club he should be a backup because he's far off it
His first season he displayed plenty of excellent finishes. He had a few last season as well. It's not been consistent enough or even the flashes of his ability often enough but that doesn't negate the fact he has a lot of talent. His confidence was rock bottom last season. I'd like to see what he can do after a reset.
At this point it's quality (or lack of) rather than confidence
So how would his confidence magically improve in the summer? Why would you risk so much on a player who has not proven anything in his career so far. It was madness to purchase him for such a fee and make him our number 1 striker, it was even madder to let him stay our number one striker last season but to do so for a 3rd season would just be beyond absurd.
He may one day become a top striker, but he is far off it currently and has done nothing to have a position safeguarded for him at this club. How low standards have fallen!
No
I dunno, man. Torres is nothing like Henry, when you talk about a striker that is "absolutely incredible in pretty much all facets of his game" like you claimed about Torres. I used to frequently visit RAWK, just for a laugh. Even there, a group of deluded fans when it comes to their own players, admitted that Torres couldn't help with many aspect of the game, including holding the ball, other than scored goals. That's how limited he's. It just confirmed with my eyes observation.
Of course, his capable speed and positioning also forced the opponent to worry about having high-line, which is in some way affecting the game.
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Yes and the next big thing could be a Ramos or Kolo Muani or some other "failure" rotting on the bench of a super club with more money than sense. I hate the lack of creativity with United's striker recruitment. Either buying fading stars or paying peak prices, getting scammed on wages and then you see teams like Frankfurt/Leverkusen and the likes make €100mn strikers from scrap. Given money constraints and the relative strength at 10 (if we can get Mbeumo over the line), I'd just love if we could do one of those left field deals - Marcos Leonardo in a swap with Sancho to Al-Hilal (
100% agreed, brother. That's the thing that just bothering me about our recruitment. When you see certain clubs just constantly getting these kind of players, you know it's not about luck but just having a good system and running by good people.
OK yeah, but I'm not comparing him to one of the greatest PL players of all time, I'm comparing him to Sesko who's hold up play is nothing to write home about either. He pretty much could go on either foot with a range of finishing, great positioning, great in the air and physically could handle most defenders. At 18/19 Torres had 19 goals in season, in la liga and was named Atleticos captain.
If he really is a fan then he would choose his favourite club if the choice came up.Finish mid table for the foreseeable future or compete for Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues?
Yeah it's a tough choice
But we probably dont have the money anyway cause it is impossible to sell our overpaid underperforming players anyway.
Sounds about right sadly.
Or a Hojlund... He's at the age Ekitiké was at last summer, after he had moved to Frankfurt for €15m. Before his best goal tally had been 10 goals in Ligue 1.Yes and the next big thing could be a Ramos or Kolo Muani or some other "failure" rotting on the bench of a super club with more money than sense. I hate the lack of creativity with United's striker recruitment. Either buying fading stars or paying peak prices, getting scammed on wages and then you see teams like Frankfurt/Leverkusen and the likes make €100mn strikers from scrap. Given money constraints and the relative strength at 10 (if we can get Mbeumo over the line), I'd just love if we could do one of those left field deals - Marcos Leonardo in a swap with Sancho to Al-Hilal (
Hojlund might move this summer and supposedly several Bundesliga clubs like Frankfurt are interested. Hojlund's career high so far are 10 goals, too...
They can't sign Wirtz and then Ekitike too, that wouldn't be fair.
If you want to believe that I’d imagine you’re going to find out pretty quickly that it’s not going to happen. Can’t see Hojlund going due to the PSR hit we’d take.
You have to use your eyes. Ekitike was doing it in France in a league where kids get chopped down at 19. He has fantastic skills and is a good box mover. Hojlund can’t hold up, makes bad runs and can’t even head the ball despite being 6”3
Massive gamble for that price. One that we probably shouldn't take.
If you look at him as a player though he has the potential to be one of this generations best strikers and thats what annoys me, he's not a Haaland that if he doesnt score he contributes nothing.
He can carry the ball, pass, run channels I think we're really letting Liverpool get further away from us with this one.
If we're talking of trying to win a prem in a few years missing out on players like Ekitike is just counter intuitive.
Ekitike is a big talent no doubt but its worth really watching his finishing style in videos like this one pasted below as well as looking at the shot map from his time in the Bundesliga (just picking 24/25 and 23/24 seasons) here.
Eye test: A side footed finisher who rarely hits through the ball with his laces and gets power on his right footed shots even when he has good body control and a chance to line them up. Borderline useless with his left foot. Not a big header of the ball.
Shot data: A huge proportion of his goals come from massive (xg>.5) chances inside the six yard box. That might speak to a good nose for the ball in the box but it also might be just the product of playing a lone CF role for a very offensively effective side (Frankfurt was second in Bundesliga in XG in 24-25). In his two years in Germany he only scored seven open play goals outside the six yard box and only two from further away than the penalty spot, which is where his poor shooting technique and power likely come in.
If the big chances in the six yard box reflect his personal ability and then he dramatically improves his shooting and finishing ability in other areas, you could have an Isak. Just as easily, if the big chances are largely reflective of playing for a very potent Frankfurt team in a league with a lot of leaky defenses and he can't improve his ability to score from elsewhere, you just paid 100m for Nico Jackson.
Eye test: A side footed finisher who rarely hits through the ball with his laces and gets power on his right footed shots even when he has good body control and a chance to line them up. Borderline useless with his left foot. Not a big header of the ball.
Shot data: A huge proportion of his goals come from massive (xg>.5) chances inside the six yard box. That might speak to a good nose for the ball in the box but it also might be just the product of playing a lone CF role for a very offensively effective side (Frankfurt was second in Bundesliga in XG in 24-25). In his two years in Germany he only scored seven open play goals outside the six yard box and only two from further away than the penalty spot, which is where his poor shooting technique and power likely come in.
If the big chances in the six yard box reflect his personal ability and then he dramatically improves his shooting and finishing ability in other areas, you could have an Isak. Just as easily, if the big chances are largely reflective of playing for a very potent Frankfurt team in a league with a lot of leaky defenses and he can't improve his ability to score from elsewhere, you just paid 100m for Nico Jackson.
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Your last paragraph works on assumptions though.
How many massive transfer players fail? The answer is most.
He looks like a selfish player in the video posted, so many opportunities to pass to someone in a better position and he ignores them all
You can't honestly believe you were ever in for him.
You're in no position to be shopping at Harrods, not with all that you need to do in the market. And even if you tried, you'd be turned away at the door, given your smelly unwashed 15th placed attire.
You're in no position to be shopping at Harrods, not with all that you need to do in the market. And even if you tried, you'd be turned away at the door, given your smelly unwashed 15th placed attire.
I noticed when we were linked with him that his shooting stats aren't great, that was my main reservation. Going from outside the box into it I can imagine he'd do well, as a number 10 or inside left attacker, with his high volume of touches and carries. But when you look at his shooting stats, they're much more representative of a wide attacker than a number 9. They're certainly nothing like Isak's, who has remarkable shot accuracy.
I was quite surprised at how many of the United YouTube footy analysis channels weren't in favour of going for Ekitike, since usually people get hyped when a big transfers is suggested. I'd be interested to know how the Liverpool ones judge him.