Thread by @suyashft

20 alternatives to Frenkie de Jong and where they rank? 🧵
Manchester United recently signed a Lead data scientist & his biggest job will be finding a DLP 6/8, if we can't get (or won't pursuit) Frenkie.

A profile like Frenkie's is rare. Aim is to get the closest based on 5… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

20. Matheus Nunes
19. Caqueret
18. Zubimendi
17. Caicedo

Let's start, as you can see Frenkie excels in progression & taking players on through the middle and usually players that do it a lot fail in efficiency, starting with out bottom 4. Caicedo is a safe & secure bet with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

16. Gravenberch
15. Lepenant
14. Ricci
13. K Kone

Kone & Gravenberch are identical profiles. If ten Hag wanted an adv. 8 but can't get Ryan then Kone is an ideal choice- Both lose the ball in the process of driving up a lot.
In this set, Samuele Ricci is a safe choice high… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12. Le fee
11. Ugarte
10. Kudus
9. Mac Allister

I've included Kudus because of the links & Ajax style + connection. He can be used as an 8 on the inside RHS. Mac Allister resembles Frenkie's pentagon in this set, not quite excelling like him but good-very good in the 5 areas.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

8. Jude Bellingham
7. Orkun Kökçü
6. Ismaël Bennacer
5. K Thuram

The more rounded player in this group is Kephren Thuram (son of Lilian Thuram). Progresses through carries and taking players on whilst retaining the ball relatively higher. Kökçü of Feyenoord is a wild-card here,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

4. Kovacic
3. K Taylor
2. Maxime Lopez
1. Rice

Lopez (Sassuolo) & Rice are almost twins. Any club looking for Rice or losing Rice can also look for Lopez.
Efficient + Secure!
Don't risk taking players on but keep the ball to a very high-rate whist managing to progress it in high… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Some honorable mentions:

Y Fofana
Seko Fofana
Paredes
Rabiot
Barella
Salis Abdul Samed

Rovella (similar to Paredes- efficient & secure, pass well but don't take-on or carry- static 6 type that progress through passing)

My conclusion is Frenkie's profile is rare- excelling in all areas with high efficiency and very good retention in spite of taking players on. I won't be surprised if not just ten Hag but the club is stubborn and pursuit de Jong longer than we like (although a deadline would… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Thanks for your time people, let me know if you have any name and if they are scoring well in the 5 key areas, I’ll post their graphic too!

enjoy this brilliant bit of Frenkie at the theatre of dreams. Artist at… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

S/O
@TheDevilsDNA for some italian & ligue1 names
@DaDevilsAvocado for Lopez ♥️

@htomufc @h4jj_ @Leven2k
@bethTmufc @CharlieMorley_
@Utd_Analytics @JackFawcett1704
@Oliveresuana @amonizfootball
@JackyHenchman @StatManCam
@KGthaComedian

Would appreciate any support, 💭 or ❤️ ? 🙏🏼 🙏🏼

@RealistGlizzy ♥️🙏🏼

This is how their aggregate would look in order. #MUFC