1️⃣Finishing
2️⃣Creativity
3️⃣Can he become a CF
4️⃣Defensive Contribution
1️⃣Finishing
Gakpo is a sensational finisher. With 9 goals from 7.45 xG he is the Eredivise top scorer, often not starting as the CF.
Ranking In the 98th % for goals in the big 5 leagues this season. He is a high volume shooter but very efficient, over performing his xG
Gakpo primarily plays off the LW for PSV, cutting inside from the touchline to finish but he often can pick up pockets in the half spaces. His right foot is ferocious
🎥1- The ball striking is incredible
🎥2- intelligent movement, great touch and perfect finish twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
The 23 year old is excellent in counter attacking scenarios. Explosive pace + top composure, he’s a massive threat on the break
🎥1- excellent first touch but the explosive pace is scary. Good finish
🎥2- the touch is superb, lovely composure and perfect finish on his weak foot twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
2️⃣Creativity
Gakpo also leads the league in assists this year with 12 in 14 games. Incredible return.
He is a creative machine, in the 96/98% for SCA/GCA. He can do it all different ways: Free kicks, corners, passes, dribbles. A real creative all rounder
🎥1- I love how he slows the play down here, one touch outside the FB before a beautiful cross
🎥2- with his back to goal, looks up once and a similar cross again, beautifully flighted
Ranks in the 97% for crosses completed with 8 assists from 34 crosses from the LW this year twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Gakpo is the corner/free kick taker for PSV and Holland. He has an absolutely excellent delivery, ranking in the 96% for successful passes from dead ball situations
He likes to whip crosses in with pace but he can ping a ball in with accuracy, United lack goals from set pieces
Gakpo is an incredible dribbler, ranking In the 95% for dribbles completed. He’s brilliant
🎥1- the touch, close control, speed, the body feint before the shot. Simply world class play
🎥2- again slows the ball down excellently, before a quick burst. His close control is top twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
3️⃣CF?
Yes, I think Gakpo can be moulded into a CF. Rashford has played Centrally often under Erik ten Hag and has developed immensely in his movement, aerial ability and hold up play
Gakpo already has experience of playing down the middle but can be better with Erik
Gakpo is very good in the air. He ranks in the 89th percentile for aerials won
🎥1- I love the position he picks up here, it’s typical CF play. He moves into the channel between FB/CB before executing an excellent header
Working under Ruud Van Nistlerooy will help his CF play
This is the shop map of Gakpo from the last calendar year. Note how many goals Gakpo has scored from central areas
He likes this position, often coming from the left into this area but if he can see the goals come from this central zone, I can see him enjoying the CF role
At 6 foot 2, Gakpo is a real physically dominant player. He is extremely powerful and can pin down defenders, holding the ball and bringing others into play or rolling the defender.
His is explosive, powering past CBs on either side to create goal scoring opportunities
Expect Antony to start on the RW. The LW Rashford with Martial/Gakpo alternating in CF
That is a very fluid front 3 with excellent pressing capability who interchange roles. This causes confusion for defences, Gakpo/Martial may start CF but can rotate with Rashford at LW
4️⃣Defensively
Gakpo shows glimpses of good defending. I think he needs to be better off the ball, showing more desire to tackle and block passes but I think that will come if he goes to United
Gakpo is already a very good presser, a major upgrade on Ronaldo. He likes to sit on the edge of the box before pressing the zone between GK/LCB cutting off the passing Lane. With Antony sitting on the LB and Bruno coming into the RCB, our pressing routines will improve massively
Eriks demands a lot from his strikers. ‘Attackers nowadays think they have to save their energy for going forward. Nowadays, both is a demand’
Erik has a real emphasis on pressing and defending as an 11. We’ve seen a real difference in that already this year, Gakpo helps that
According to Dutch sources United have agreed personal terms with Gakpo from the summer
The same sources say that PSV are under financial pressure to sell in January and Gakpo will leave. I expect the fee to be around £40-£45m but I think that’s a solid long term investment
At 23 years Gakpo is young but he already has a winning mentality from competing for titles with PSV, winning the Dutch cup last season playing a key role
He also captains PSV, showing leadership qualities that would definitely help United. A good signing on and off the pitch
Summary❓
I really like Gakpo, I think more big teams should be looking at him like Arsenal/Liverpool due to his flexibility but mainly his quality
He has a great physical stature with superb ball striking and good aerial ability. As a LW option he’s really very good but the
Option to play him as a CF is a great trait to have. Martial would still be First choice for me with Gakpo alternating between LW and covering for Martial. The doubt I have is, can he be a CF who plays a full year and guarantees you goals. I’m not 100% sure.
He needs to improve
With his back to goal/link up play too. I think we will sign Gakpo in January however I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him come in in Jan but for Erik to look at a ST in summer due to the unreliability/inconsistency of Martial
At £40m in Jan, it’s a good deal
End of Thread!!
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Manchester United need to look out for a young Right Sided Centre back
A detailed deep dive on the some of the best options for Erik Ten Hags Manchester United Rebuild
Key talking points to the thread
1️⃣Why do we need a RCB
2️⃣The Best Options
3️⃣Who would I choose
1️⃣Why do we Need a RCB?
Lisandro Martinez has come into the club in the summer of 2022 and completely changed the CB role. Progressive on the ball, aggressive off it, he has nailed down the Left side
Meaning between Varane/Lindelof/Maguire they are competing for the right side