By Sam McGuire
His time in England shall be remembered for the numerous, many missed probabilities.
He missed 20 massive probabilities throughout his debut marketing campaign within the English top-flight, rating joint-third for this metric regardless of racking up simply 1,700 minutes. He missed 27 in the course of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, rating second within the Premier League. Final time period, he missed simply eight, however Arne Slot did restrict his minutes on the pitch to only 1,118 within the English top-tier.
Darwin, a one-time Manchester United goal, was somebody who discovered himself in the proper place on the proper time most of the time. A mix of unhealthy luck and unhealthy ending prevented him from rivalling Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot throughout his stint in England.
Throughout his remaining marketing campaign with Benfica, it was the exact opposite. He considerably overperformed within the penalty space, scoring 22 open-play objectives within the Portuguese top-flight from a Non-Penalty Anticipated Objectives complete of 14.9.
He was stuffed with confidence in Portugal after discovering his ft. Consequently, his ending was medical.
Issues went awry for him in what was a transitional marketing campaign for Liverpool. The Pink seems to revamp their ahead line with two attackers from Portugal – although Luis Díaz joined in January – and Cody Gakpo, one other United goal below Erik ten Hag, was signed within the winter window following Darwin’s arrival. Mix this with the actual fact the midfield wanted reinforcements and it’s no marvel Jürgen Klopp’s plan didn’t play out.
This brings me to Benjamin Šeško, Manchester United’s newest ahead.
The 22-year-old was linked with Arsenal earlier than the Gunners opted to signal Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting. Šeško was reportedly on Liverpool’s radar, doubtless as a consequence of their good relationship with RB Leipzig, however the champions settled on Hugo Ekitike whereas nonetheless, on the time of writing, trying to usher in Alexander Isak for a British document payment.
At a look, there are comparisons between Šeško and Rasmus Højlund, one other big-money transfer made by Manchester United. Like with the Slovenian ahead, Højlund was highly-rated and joined the Pink Devils in a deal value £64million in 2023.
The overall consensus on-line, from rival followers no less than, is why spend £73million on Šeško, a uncooked, erratic ahead with enormous upside, whenever you already possess Højlund, a uncooked, erratic ahead with enormous upside?
The reply to that’s easy. Šeško has a a lot larger ceiling and there’s extra for Ruben Amorim to work with. You possibly can see it within the FotMob radars.
Šeško is concerned, makes an attempt photographs, wins aerial duels and scores objectives.
Højlund, final season, did none of that.
Couple that with the actual fact the previous RB Leipzig man was one of many quickest strikers within the Bundesliga final time period with a prime pace of 35.7km/h and it’s simple to know why he was wished.
The subsequent query is whether or not or not he’s one other Darwin. A younger striker with an enormous xG overperformance in a overseas league who then can’t do it within the Premier League.
That may very well be the case. We gained’t know for a few years. However the fears are justified. Final season, Šeško netted 13 objectives within the German top-flight from an xG haul of simply 9.89. The season prior, he had 14 strikes to his identify from an xG complete of seven.66.
Final time period, 37% of his efforts in complete arrived from outdoors of the realm – considered as low worth makes an attempt.
In a nutshell, he hasn’t been nice at moving into good areas on a dependable foundation. He’s a low-volume shooter and his sport wants plenty of refinement if he’s to do effectively within the Premier League. However there’s lots for Amorim to work with. And regardless of the narrative that United are a little bit of a shambles, the assault at Previous Trafford is an efficient surroundings for Šeško to develop.
Not like Liverpool when attempting to mattress Darwin in, United have opted to signal Premier League confirmed gamers in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Each gamers are 26 and each have expertise within the English prime flight with a mixed 55 objectives throughout the final two campaigns. Sure, the pair might want to adapt to life with the Pink Devils, however they’re effectively conscious of the physicality wanted within the Premier League. They can assist Šeško settle lots faster.
In Amorim, there’s a supervisor who obtained the very best out of Gyökeres throughout his time in Portugal. Šeško possesses traits he needs from a centre ahead, as detailed just lately when talking to MUTV: “He has the traits that we wanted. He’s actually younger, he’s good within the air, he’s good at operating the channels and he’s good on the ball, so I believe he has nice potential. I believe he can enhance lots.
“For certain, he’s going to really feel at house in our membership. He’s the proper character on this group, so we’re actually, actually glad to have him.”
It’s arrange for Šeško to succeed. His weaknesses shall be masked by the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo, with the pair technically good and inventive, whereas the workforce ought to play to his strengths, permitting him to bully opponents together with his tempo and measurement. Work on his ending and he may very well be a revelation for the Pink Devils.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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