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With the January switch window open throughout Europe, probably the most anticipated arrival is definitely one that was agreed back in October. In what is definitely one of the curious offers ever, 18-year-old Amad Diallo (he dropped Traore from his title earlier in 2020) signed for Manchester United from Atalanta for €21 million, plus one other €20m in add-ons, even supposing his first-team league experience had amounted to a meagre 24 minutes on the time.
Diallo scored 4 minutes into his 13-minute Atalanta debut as an alternative towards Udinese in October 2019 (changing into the primary participant born in 2002 to attain in Serie A), however solely performed one other 11 minutes throughout two video games that season. Then, regardless of United’s consideration, he needed to wait virtually a 12 months for his subsequent senior minutes: a 13-minute cameo towards Hellas Verona on Nov. 28 earlier than a promising 22-minute look off the bench within the Champions League towards FC Midtjylland on Dec. 1, by which he confirmed some delicate touches, nice runs and had two good pictures saved late on.
Certainly, Diallo’s means on the ball has seen him likened to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, and he is excelled even when enjoying two age teams above his personal all through his youth profession. Nevertheless, it is nonetheless a large payment for such an untested participant who may not even function within the Premier League this season. You additionally need to marvel why {the teenager} has been used so sparingly (particularly in an outrageously fixture-congested 12 months) by Atalanta — at the same time as an influence sub — given his apparent expertise, profile and credentials.
With solely one other 35 minutes below his belt since they agreed the deal, it is a gamble for United, who’ve been burned earlier than with the likes of Bebe. However sources told ESPN’s Rob Dawson that Diallo will probably be thought of a first-team signing, together with 18-year-old Facundo Pellistri who was signed from Uruguayan aspect Penarol on the similar time.
As Diallo arrives in Manchester after receiving his UK work allow, this is a take a look at why the Previous Trafford hierarchy thought the Ivory Coast-born winger was definitely worth the threat.
What sort of participant is he?
Diallo is way from unknown on the scouting circuit, having been on the radar of Europe’s main golf equipment for fairly a while resulting from his performances at youth stage — the place he typically stands out towards older opponents — and his more moderen shows within the Italian “Primavera” (U19) league.
His stats within the Primavera over the previous two years are spectacular — 12 targets and 9 assists in 39 video games — whereas he additionally notched one purpose and three assists throughout six video games within the UEFA Youth League in 2019-20.
A high scout at one such membership granted ESPN entry to their complete file on Diallo, which dates again to 2019 and is predicated on his appearances in youth tournaments and the U19 league. Within the membership’s inner system, Diallo is rated as a possible 7.5 participant (out of a most 10), which equates to “a potential common at a Champions League-level membership” — only for reference, a peak Messi was apparently a 9.0 in accordance with their system (clearly no one could be good!)
Some snippets from the report, which was compiled utilizing enter from totally different members of the membership’s scouting employees, reveal attention-grabbing particulars about his traits as a participant.
“Bodily profile: can appear light-weight, however offers properly with contact. In a position to keep on his ft even when going through robust challenges. Low level of gravity, good stability. Spectacular change of path with and with out the ball. Spectacular physique management and coordination. Very fast on brief areas, loses some energy and velocity over longer distances. Extra steady than most gamers of his age, influence persists all through the sport.”
Diallo can also be applauded for his “functionality to see all areas of the pitch” and he’s “capable of distribute the ball properly past short-medium distances; executes good switches of play.” His defensive work-rate can also be highlighted as a optimistic: “His willingness to trace runs, defend and align with the crew’s defensive construction is surprisingly good.”
What place does he play?
Diallo moved from central midfield early in his profession. Diallo is now a tactically conscious inverted winger — supreme for a 4-3-3 formation — with abilities extra akin to the fashionable extensive playmaker than an out-and-out winger restricted to a change of tempo and the flexibility to tackle opponents. The report reads:
“Attribute inverted winger who likes to chop in on his left foot from the appropriate. Prefers to take up positions comparatively deep with a view to take part in build-up relatively than go instantly for a purpose or the conclusive section, however can also be efficient nearer to the purpose and penalty space. Much less efficient on the left, however can roam with success in central positions.”
Is his fashion just like that of any present gamers?
The Messi comparisons come from Diallo’s nice stability, fast ft, glorious technical abilities, mesmerising dribbles and skill to see and execute the best cross — to not point out his nice left foot.
He possesses a maturity and confidence past his 18 years that enables him to take advantage of his appreciable abilities — however not only for the sake of it, solely when there’s one thing to be gained — and offers him an actual crew ethic with loads of willingness to trace again and work arduous to play his half in defending.
However whereas he is an undeniably thrilling prospect, everyone knows that is no assure of success. After all, the game is littered with young players hampered by the ‘”next Messi” tag.
One skilled scout with deep perception into the Italian youth scene says that Diallo’s undoubted potential nonetheless must translate to first-team stage.
“I’ve seen Diallo many instances and he is an attention-grabbing expertise, however I’ve to confess that the deal, particularly on the figures concerned, was an awesome shock to me,” he informed ESPN below the situation of anonymity. “Sure, he is excelled at youth stage and sure, even with these from age teams above, however for my part he isn’t akin to gamers like [Barcelona’s] Ansu Fati, [Real Madrid‘s] Vinicius Jr., Reinier or Rodrygo, who I all tracked at youth stage. And for the cash concerned on this deal you anticipate a possible world star. I simply do not see Amad Diallo having the identical potential of these I discussed.”
What’s subsequent?
The following steps for Diallo are going to be essential in enabling him to optimise his expertise. Will he be instantly built-in within the first-team squad — very like Pellistri (who, by the way, occupies the identical extensive proper attacking slot) — and be outlined as a first-teamer however virtually solely play with the reserves? Or will he be despatched out on mortgage to get extra expertise?
With Diallo reportedly working arduous on enhancing his English he’d little question favor to remain in Manchester, but the more and more widespread route of loaning up-and-coming gamers overseas to international locations such because the Netherlands, Belgium and even Germany could be one other risk. Because the holder of an Italian passport, that’s definitely a simple choice.
What Manchester United resolve to do with him subsequent is of utmost significance, as a result of their success tales of signing late teenage prospects with fast first-team aspirations from overseas are few and much between. They’ve taken a bet by spending large cash on an unproven 18-year-old, however as their switch coverage continues to focus on youthful gamers, how Diallo settles at Previous Trafford may play a giant half of their future.
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