Editor’s note: Tor-Kristian Karlsen is a Norwegian football scout and manager and is the former CEO and sporting director of AS Monaco. He will regularly write for ESPN on the football business and scouting process. In his final column, look at Donny van de Beek, the young Ajax attacking midfielder who has completed a move to Manchester United.
While all eyes have been on Manchester United’s efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, the Old Trafford squad has quietly landed one of Europe’s most promising midfielders. Last summer, the former Ajax midfielder was strongly linked to Real Madrid after an impressive Champions League run to the semi-finals in 2018-19, which also saw him score in the round of 16 against Juventus and Tottenham. The € 45 million transfer fee seems relatively reasonable for a player who is already well developed but still has sales value and who seems perfectly suited to the Premier League.
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The Dutchman, who has 10 orange jersey caps, offers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer quality and quantity in equal measure. Predominantly a box-to-box midfielder – although he has also had bouts as a holding player in front of the defense – Van de Beek has all the essential skills that make up a modern central midfielder. He is excellent on the ball, has an exceptionally well developed football brain and boasts the ability to cover a lot of ground.
Being a product of Ajax Academy and spending five seasons on the first team, it goes without saying that any edges in his game are already practically smoothed out. His touch on the ball is superb and the way he manages to spin quickly, often out of tight situations, while still maintaining possession is equally impressive.
Van de Beek is also a very productive midfielder. In 135 appearances (Eredivisie and Champions League) he found the net 33 times and scored 27 goals. His signature goal is the result of a late run, full of momentum and determination, in the penalty area, most often cutting from the left to finish in the far corner with his favorite right foot. While the over-critic may point out that his finishing skills still have room for improvement, his ability to find space in the penalty area and anticipate the course of the ball is already at a remarkably high level.
Although technically gifted in position, van de Beek is by no means a “flashy” or extravagant player. On the contrary, it is extremely practical: any finesse in possession tends to have a function and serves as a means of keeping the game flowing. His genius becomes sharper as the pace of the game accelerates; few are the best players to successfully participate in quick combinations in and around the penalty area. Whether it’s a delicious touch to prepare a teammate for a scoring opportunity or to seek a goal, the execution is generally of a high standard.
To complement his offensive prowess, the 23-year-old also has the body and build to efficiently handle the less glamorous work in midfield. His height (6 feet) is relatively rare for such a dynamic and technically clean footballer, but he is also happy to take a defensive turn, track down and sweep opponents off the ball.
Previous scouting reports:
– Bellingham: The young Brit has the ability to thrive in Dortmund
– Defense of Man City: good / best for rebuilding
– Gabriel: Arsenal becomes a defender ready for the Premier League
Solskjaer will also be well aware that he has brought a very positive character. Despite his youth, van de Beek has already captained Ajax on a few occasions and is a constant source of positive “signals” during a match: take the way he is ready to cheer and cheer his teammates, even when an attempted passage fails.
These small details may not seem important to some, but a player’s body language, whether in the game or in training, is something that is attracting a growing emphasis among scouts and recruiting officials across Europe, who are increasingly analyzing. this aspect together with the more traditional ones. player skill.
Not only have Manchester United captured a potentially influential midfielder, they may also have a future club captain on their hands.
While the Ajax newcomer is perfectly capable of living with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes – it is not unusual for an ambitious top club to have a large squad and competition for every seat – it is clear that United are becoming less dependent on Pogba, whose contract with the club will expire next summer.
Meanwhile, van der Beek’s capture should have no implications for the continued hunt for Sancho. While the new Dutch rookie should first and foremost compete for one or two offensive midfield roles depending on which system Solskjaer decides to play, Sancho still represents a spectacular potential opportunity to bolster wide positions ahead of time.
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