DoF for a Day

We are coming into transfer season and so starts the merry go round of rumours & speculation as to who WHU are looking at. This lead me to think about what would I do if I was Director of Football & what areas I would target.

For myself I firmly believe you always improve on you worst players rather than trying to improve on your best to build a squad. Looking at WHU there are some very glaring issues which we have failed to resolve season after season namely at full back, central defense & central midfield. I have my reasons as to why I think this has been the case & namely being these positions aren’t “exciting” therefore don’t increase ticket sales around renewal time, but I degress.

In this blog I am going to list some targets for Left Back as I think it is time to move on from both Masuaku and Cresswell. In part 2 & 3 I will cover targets for Right Back & Centre Midfield positions . The list details the targets I would move for this upcoming window which could be inexpensive & fit the RB model that Moyes has referenced on a number of occasions.

*Note: All valuations are from TransferMarkt therefore don’t necessarily reflect club value.

Malang Sarr

1 Goal 0 Assists

My favourite pick of the left backs is Malang Sarr 21 from Nice who is highly flexible with the abilty to comfortably play at CB or LB. Not only is his flexibility a huge asset he is also a free agent come 30th June. Sarr has predominately played in a CB this season for Nice but has been successful at LB for the club & at U21 level for France too. Sarr in my mind is a future starter for France & a solid defender who would provide great cover for any winger to concentrate on attack while Sarr works the 1v1 & reads the game well to intercept the ball.

Whilst Sarr would be slightly more limited in the attacking play that Masuaku what we would have is assurance in the left hand channel that we have a strong defender who can be successful on the ground & in the air against an opposing winger. At his young age too is only going to improve more with greater exposure to LB & over time develop the attacking side of his game to provide greater assistance in attack. As can be seen via the passing Sarr is a very forward thinking player with his passing & accurate when pushing the ball forward into the final 1/3.

TransferMarkt Value: £14.4m

Aarón Martín

0 Goals 0 Assists

My first pick of 2 LBs who have plyed their trade in the Bundesliga this season is Aarón Martín. Off the back of a solid U21 tournament with Fornals & Spain it has been a tough season for Martín at Mainz with him being less productive with his passing & progressive play than in the 18/19 season. What has been improved upon is his defensive play this season & playing style is centred more around interceptions & applying pressure than tackling ofter to retain possesion. Tackling is an area that Masuaku is surprising successful in along with a low percentage of being passed, which would highlight a lack of concentration in pivotal moments as can often be caught out positionally.

Martín managed a much better expected assist rate than that of both Masuaku & Cresswell but let down by poor finishing. Additionally, Martín produces much better results with the ball at his feet than Cresswell although often dispossessed which is an area Masuaku excels within as retain possession well. Whilst Martín isn’t tearing up trees compared to our existing LBs his statistics do show a fairly rounded player who at only 23 should improve further & provide greater threat in attack too.

Transfermarkt value: £9.45m

Philipp Max

8 Goals 5 Assists

How Phillipp Max is still at Augsburg and not caught the eye of clubs not only in the Bundesliga but Europe I will never know. Max has consistently been a great asset for Augsburg providing not only assists but goals too which is impressive from a LB. His versatility & strength in attack means he has been deployed as a LW on occasion. He is much more in the mould of a modern FB who takes risks with the ball to influence the play & push the team forward.

Defensively whilst his stats don’t show a tough tackling all action defender his other attributes make him a too dangerous to discount. For me Max is the type of defender well suited to providing an outlet to a free roaming winger allowing them to move centrally & influence the game more whilst he hugs the touchline. Should Moyes look to revert back to the 532 formation Max is ideally placed to fulfil that role.

TransferMarkt Value: £12.15m

Jamal Lewis

1 Goal 0 Assists

All things consisted it has been a real tough season for the Norwich team but I have huge respect for entrusting those that got them to the EPL in particular their youngsters. One of many youngsters that have impressed is Jamal Lewis quite a solid all rounder who really could excel with a strong team around him.

Should Norwich be relegated this season he would be high on my list of targets and at 21 is potential is huge with the right level of game time & patience to develop. For me he would provide great balance down the left and good pace who would suit a high energy, high pressure team. Therefore if RB truly is the model Moyes is aspiring to build WHU in then Lewis would epitomise the new style of play.

TransferMarkt Value: £10m

Ryan Manning

2 goals 5 assists

The wildcard of the list is QPR Ryan Manning who has performed consistently well all season and was linked in January. At 23 now is probably the time for him to make the next step and test himself at EPL level. Speaking with my brother-in-law (who is a QPR fan) he has nothing but good praise for him and along with Eze is a massive part of the squad.

Manning is once again the profile that Moyes is rumoured to be looking towards as a young hungry championship eager to prove themselves. Manning would also be relatively inexpensive too which would be music to the boards ears, bearing in mind over 10 years WHU have spent 16m collectively on 14 FBs Masuaku being the most expensive at 6.5m.