Jadon Sancho

[Swango1980]

I don't watch the German league, and only seen snippets of Dortmund in Europe. So, not seen a lot of Jadon Sancho apart from in those few games, and for England.

Now, I'm a United fan, and I know he is their No. 1 target this year, and generating a bit of excitement amongst fans. My question is, is he really that good? Or, it he massively over-rated (in UK anyway) and over-priced simply because he is a young English player playing in a foreign team who do reasonably well in their domestic league? Because, I must admit, any time I have watched him, he has never blown me away. Sure, he is probably a competent player, but a £100 + million player? I have my doubts.

I was trying to think that, if United needed an extra attacking threat in the second half for example, would I rather have Sancho to bring on, or Traore from Wolves. I'm pretty sure I'd get more excited about bring Traore on. And, Traore would be cheaper, not necessarily expect to be a 1st team player week in week out, and has shown he is a threat in the Premier League. I'd have thought getting in a squad player of that nature would be more valuable to United, given that the vision of a primary attacking trio of Martial / Rashford / Greenwood seems to be the future. With Pogba and and Fernades as the attacking options in the middle, and your McTominay / Fred / Matic / van de Beek players your other central midfield options. Fitting Sancho in the starting line up most weeks would look to effectively relegate Greenwood back to the bench most weeks, unless Sancho playes left and right and simply rotate him, Greenwood and Rashford. I doubt that would be a good idea if United aim to develop that front 3 as much as possible. Surely they just need capable players to come in every now and then to give them a rest or if they are injured, not a player who will demand a starting position.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It seems an awful lot based on his England performances but then again i only saw paul Scholes in an England shirt, largely avoided him in red , and never saw the fuss there based on those performances. I guess we would need to hear from someone who watches the Bundesliga and they can explain the hype. To be fair, his numbers there are very good, although not £100m good. Not sure he is what Utd are missing either so it seems a lot to pump into one signing, should it happen.

 

[Kellfire]

Yes he’s that good. That’s as simply as I can put it. He’s genuinely world class already and every team in the world would want him.

 

[hairball_89]

Yes he’s that good. That’s as simply as I can put it. He’s genuinely world class already and every team in the world would want him.

This. With bells on. There isn't a squad in world football that wouldn't be better for him in it. I'm convinced of that.

Your mention of how you fit him in, and where, is *exactly* the reason us Liverpool fans were excited about Werner before we pulled the plug and he went to Chelsea - We all play 3 up top now. Would you rather have 3 from 3 to pick every week, or 3 from 4? Werner obviously gives the 4 up top option. But as an opposition player, surely you'd rather prepare to almost definitely face Martial / Rashford / Greenwood and know what to expect, than 3 of Sancho / Martial / Rashford / Greenwood.

If you don't get him next summer I really want us to be in there next. Sadly, can't see it.

 

[Swango1980]

This. With bells on. There isn't a squad in world football that wouldn't be better for him in it. I'm convinced of that.

Your mention of how you fit him in, and where, is *exactly* the reason us Liverpool fans were excited about Werner before we pulled the plug and he went to Chelsea - We all play 3 up top now. Would you rather have 3 from 3 to pick every week, or 3 from 4? Werner obviously gives the 4 up top option. But as an opposition player, surely you'd rather prepare to almost definitely face Martial / Rashford / Greenwood and know what to expect, than 3 of Sancho / Martial / Rashford / Greenwood.

If you don't get him next summer I really want us to be in there next. Sadly, can't see it.

You are right. United definitely need players to freshen up that front 3. They were fantastic at times, but looked tired by end of season. This was why I was thinking along the Traore route. I think the balance is between keeping the players fresh and on competing for a starting spot, against pissing them off and not getting the best out of them. I'm not sure how the Liverpool front 3 would react if Sancho went to Liverpool, and then they found themselves being dropped for big games every now and then. If Liverpool were playing Bayern or Real Madrid in the knockout stages, the last couple of years you'd typically expect Salah, Mane and Firminho to start if fit. However, if Sancho came in, and then Salah was dropped for that game, would he accept that, or would it sour the atmosphere? I guess it comes down to the individuals involved and how they react. But, giving that front 3 many games to play together must have developed their understanding. Constantly changing the front 3 might make that harder to develop.

Following the 2nd half of the season, my thoughts were United certainly needed another attacking threat to freshen things up (Daniel James progression has stalled at moment). Another creative player in midfield, especially as I've no idea on the long term future or mentality of Pogba. Another centre back to effectively partner Maguire. I'd have lobed a world class Number 9, but now that Martial hit some form as soon as he got creativity behind him, I'm interested in seeing how he develops. Although, I wouldn't turn Harry Kane down if Levy is willing to sell him at a bargain price. Doubt it.

 

[hairball_89]

You are right. United definitely need players to freshen up that front 3. They were fantastic at times, but looked tired by end of season. This was why I was thinking along the Traore route. I think the balance is between keeping the players fresh and on competing for a starting spot, against pissing them off and not getting the best out of them. I'm not sure how the Liverpool front 3 would react if Sancho went to Liverpool, and then they found themselves being dropped for big games every now and then. If Liverpool were playing Bayern or Real Madrid in the knockout stages, the last couple of years you'd typically expect Salah, Mane and Firminho to start if fit. However, if Sancho came in, and then Salah was dropped for that game, would he accept that, or would it sour the atmosphere? I guess it comes down to the individuals involved and how they react. But, giving that front 3 many games to play together must have developed their understanding. Constantly changing the front 3 might make that harder to develop.

Following the 2nd half of the season, my thoughts were United certainly needed another attacking threat to freshen things up (Daniel James progression has stalled at moment). Another creative player in midfield, especially as I've no idea on the long term future or mentality of Pogba. Another centre back to effectively partner Maguire. I'd have lobed a world class Number 9, but now that Martial hit some form as soon as he got creativity behind him, I'm interested in seeing how he develops. Although, I wouldn't turn Harry Kane down if Levy is willing to sell him at a bargain price. Doubt it.

If, and it's a bloody big if, we went for Sancho next summer I see it as the beginning of the rebuild and meaning that one of the 3 (Mane or Salah most probably) are almost certainly off the year after. However, you could easily play a front 4 with Sancho / Mane on the wings, Salah up to with Bobby in behind.

I sort of see it a bit like Pogba at Utd. All along you've had pundits talking about how he needs to be the main man wherever he goes, you brought in Fernandes who's taken a massive weight off his shoulders and you've now got a midfield 3 (with Matic sitting, doing what he does) that is up there with the best as far as I'm concerned.

The other thing with this season particularly, is they're cramming in a full calendar's worth of events into a period 6 weeks shorter. I read recently that every single team in the top 2 divisions, regardless of European football etc. will play 2 games a week between November and February. Every squad is going to need help this year.

 

[Swango1980]

If, and it's a bloody big if, we went for Sancho next summer I see it as the beginning of the rebuild and meaning that one of the 3 (Mane or Salah most probably) are almost certainly off the year after. However, you could easily play a front 4 with Sancho / Mane on the wings, Salah up to with Bobby in behind.

I sort of see it a bit like Pogba at Utd. All along you've had pundits talking about how he needs to be the main man wherever he goes, you brought in Fernandes who's taken a massive weight off his shoulders and you've now got a midfield 3 (with Matic sitting, doing what he does) that is up there with the best as far as I'm concerned.

The other thing with this season particularly, is they're cramming in a full calendar's worth of events into a period 6 weeks shorter. I read recently that every single team in the top 2 divisions, regardless of European football etc. will play 2 games a week between November and February. Every squad is going to need help this year.

Interesting, United could also play a very attacking formation with Sancho / Rashford on wings, Greenwood / Martial up front, on occasions (probably not for the big games). But, it's probably true that Liverpool may soon be looking to rebuild (with rumours on Salah going at some point), whereas United front 3 hopefully have a fairly long future ahead.

Yes, one thing was very clear from last year, Pogba is NOT the main man. He is a good player, no doubt. But, he simply does not have a leaders mentality. He is not the type to dig in when everyone around him is not performing, and motivate them. Not his fault, he just doesn't have it in him. However, put good players, and leaders around him, it takes the pressure off him and then he is capable of good things. He was probably OK at United when Zlatan was there, as Zlatan was the guy everyone would look to for inspiration. But, when he left, they all looked to Pogba, and he just couldn't live up to that responsibility. I think I will forever miss Roy Keane. Saw an early interview from him from his Forest days, and even then you could just tell he was born to be a leader. Gerrard had that persona also, I guess he's unfortunate his career ended at Liverpool just before Klopp came along

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If United can get him it sends a big message to their rivals and really makes United able to truly compete as PL title contenders and go deep into the CL. That said the manager still needs to find a balance and it is the other end that is still a cause for concern. Whether Pogba decides to come alive with Sancho in the side and put it in regularly is a massive doubt. The bottom line is Sancho is the real deal and is likely to only get better (subject to good management - reckon Mourinho could coach some of that talent out of him)

 

[Orikoru]

I think he's at least as good as Sterling was at that age if not better, and Sterling's done alright since then. He's certainly better than Daniel James and Lingard.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I think the negotiating tactics have been very naive and amateurish to be honest. They'll never have trust and respect in the market place with their arrogance and assumption that the other side will cave in, mostly due to an over inflated sense of their importance. Yes in the past they were an attractive option, but times have changed and they are no longer the force they were and they need to get real about how the world is now, not desperately cling on to some idealised view of past times when they had a strong leader. They just seem to be ignoring the publicly stated terms the other side have set down in the hope that their border line petulance will make it happen. Sad.

 

[YandaB]

I think the negotiating tactics have been very naive and amateurish to be honest. They'll never have trust and respect in the market place with their arrogance and assumption that the other side will cave in, mostly due to an over inflated sense of their importance. Yes in the past they were an attractive option, but times have changed and they are no longer the force they were and they need to get real about how the world is now, not desperately cling on to some idealised view of past times when they had a strong leader. They just seem to be ignoring the publicly stated terms the other side have set down in the hope that their border line petulance will make it happen. Sad.

I had to double check that I hadn't stumbled on a re-opened Brexit thread after reading that. ????

 

[Hacker Khan]

I had to double check that I hadn't stumbled on a re-opened Brexit thread after reading that. ????

I was obviously talking about the transfer negotiations between Man U and Dortmund for Sancho and Man Us negotiating tactics, and any suggestion otherwise will result in a phone call from my lawyers.

 

[User62651]

I think he's at least as good as Sterling was at that age if not better, and Sterling's done alright since then. He's certainly better than Daniel James and Lingard.

Sterling's a fine wide player but his finishing is still woefully bad. Sure he scores some goals but the amount of misses and sclaffs is bad.

 

[hairball_89]

Sterling's a fine wide player but his finishing is still woefully bad. Sure he scores some goals but the amount of misses and sclaffs is bad.

I'd love to have a wide player with "woefully bad finishing" who has still scored 31 goals in all comps this season and 23 and 25 in the previous 2! All players have bad misses. Sterling's all round play has always been exceptional - Pep has added goals to his game and he's a superb player.

The original point about Sancho now vs Sterling at the same age is very interesting. By my reckoning that would be his final season with us or his first season at Man City. At that point, he was a young player with the world at his feet and pretty much all potential. He scored 11 goals in each of these seasons. Sancho had 20 last season, and had an obscene number of assists I'm sure.

Will Sancho go on to be as good as Raheem is now? Maybe, maybe not. But he definitely could. And almost certainly probably will!

 

[Papas1982]

I’m not sure I’d consider Sterling a winger (wise player) of old. He had his worst season for assists in the league Last season, so finishing is what he needs to be judged on.

Imo he misses more than other quality strikers do. He‘s obviously still a massive talent, but in that city team who ever plays in the final third is gonna get goals.

 

[User62651]

I'd love to have a wide player with "woefully bad finishing" who has still scored 31 goals in all comps this season and 23 and 25 in the previous 2! All players have bad misses. Sterling's all round play has always been exceptional - Pep has added goals to his game and he's a superb player.

The original point about Sancho now vs Sterling at the same age is very interesting. By my reckoning that would be his final season with us or his first season at Man City. At that point, he was a young player with the world at his feet and pretty much all potential. He scored 11 goals in each of these seasons. Sancho had 20 last season, and had an obscene number of assists I'm sure.

Will Sancho go on to be as good as Raheem is now? Maybe, maybe not. But he definitely could. And almost certainly probably will!

In a one on one with the keeper, no-one would want Sterling in that position, he does not have that required coolness under pressure that top finishers do, that's all I'm saying. We know he's a fine player with other specialisms. He can be a very frustrating player to watch but he continues to improve.
Have to confess I have not seen Sancho play so cannot compare with RS. ManU do have a history of big money buys that don't quite meet the expectation, they are not top dogs anymore so perhaps that is less likely to happen nowadays.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I don't get why he would want to go to Utd. Surely he'd want to go to a club with a manager proven in developing players and where he knows he will be given a fair chance. I dont see that with OGS and Utd.

 

[Slime]

I don't get why he would want to go to Utd. Surely he'd want to go to a club with a manager proven in developing players and where he knows he will be given a fair chance. I dont see that with OGS and Utd.

Maybe he wants to be part of 'The Revolution' that's undoubtedly being sold to him, and why wouldn't he?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Maybe he wants to be part of 'The Revolution' that's undoubtedly being sold to him, and why wouldn't he?

Perhaps I stated my reason why

 

[hairball_89]

The huge salaries United pay couldn't have anything to do with it... Surely not.