Zlatan Ibrahimovic has today made it clear that he is leaving PSG this summer, as a free agent. For the life of me I can't figure out why a top club in Europe hasn't already snapped him up for nothing, a player of his quality and his stature rarely becomes available on a free transfer.
Since joining PSG he has scored an massively impressive 111 in 116(5) appearances (Soccerbase, ESPN). Those statistics are world class and represent just how good a player the Swede is. Many fellow fans and pundits alike play down his ability due to not performing when playing English sides or not being consistent enough, but with statistics like the above its obvious these claims are ambiguous. He is a genius of a footballer, can do anything with a ball and can win a game on his own. He's done it in Spain, Italy, France and Holland, and although he wasn't as prolific in Spain with Barcelona he still managed 21 goals in his 2 year spell. The added factor of not seeing eye to eye with Guardiola would have also impacted on his goal tally.
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| (Zlatan has been prolific for PSG this season) |
One argument against him is that he is often aggressive and sometimes see's red when it matters. Notably against Chelsea in the Champions League. But again this is what United need. No one is overly aggressive in the Manchester United team, and as long as his aggression was positively controlled, I think it would again suit the Premier League. The other argument is the age and yes he is 34 and I think if any deal is struck it should only be a one year deal. His goal scoring statistics show that actually he improves with age, hitting the majority of his goal in his 30+ years.
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| (Soccer Base, Metro) |
Manchester United desperately need a talisman and someone that is brimming with confidence and does not get phased by pressure. Zlatan is known to be able to cope when under pressure and he has the experience to come to the Premier League and not be phased by the rhythm of the game or the speed of the game. He has that arrogance and swagger that United haven't had since the days of Cantona and Ronaldo, and I think a team does need someone like that, and someone that excites the fans. I just do not see where Man United can lose on this deal. The club needs another striker for sure and all his attributes fit perfectly into what we need. However, with one eye on young striking talents already at the club in Rashford, Wilson and Fletcher, a one year deal for one of the most prolific strikers in Europe makes perfect sense moving forward.
Zlatan surely would leap at the chance of joining Manchester United? The prospect of being able to finally prove himself in the Premier League. He has been linked with moves to the MLS and possibly back to Italy, but if a club the size of Manchester United comes on for him, surely he will will prefer that for one year and see his career out under the lights of Old Trafford?
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