Manchester United transfer news as Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko are compared to fit the bill as United’s striker
Josh is a Senior Football Writer for Reach PLC’s Central Audience Team. Having previously spent over a year at football.london as a trends writer, Josh has experience covering Leicester City for the Leicester Mercury. You can find Josh’s work across Reach PLC sides such as Manchester Evening News, football.london, Liverpool Echo, LeedsLive and many more.
Ollie Watkins could be the perfect striker for Manchester United(Image: PA)
Manchester United need a striker. After boasting their goal count with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored a combined 35 Premier League goals last term, more firepower in attack is a must.
Ruben Amorim’s men were woeful in front of goal last season. Alongside their worst campaign in 51 years, United ended the season on -10 goal difference with just 44 league goals scored. Only the three relegated teams and Everton scored fewer.
That issue has somewhat been covered with Mbeumo and Cunha. While fears of the ‘Manchester United curse’ creeping in to prevent them from producing similar numbers from last term, they significantly improve Amorim’s options in the final third.
Just as the start of the window, United are in the market for a new striker, a new face to lead the line with an obsession at scoring goals. Liam Delap was targeted, went to Chelsea. Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen were also on their radar but the pair are close to moves to Arsenal and Galatasaray respectively.
With three weeks until another Premier League season gets underway, United are facing a race against time to get their hands on a new centre-forward. Ollie Watkins, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Benjamin Sesko are three candidates but none appear to be the outstanding option for United’s decision-makers.
RB Leipzig’s estimated valuation of Sesko surpassing the £75million mark means that move is difficult. Watkins, who has been tipped to leave Aston Villa for some time, is said to be available at £60m and comes with Premier League experience.
But what do the numbers say? When analysing each player’s numbers for the 2024/25 season [via FBREF], Watkins appears to be the better option. The England international played six more games for Villa across all competitions but Sesko clocked up more minutes (3,761 compared to 3,682).
Of course, Sesko scored more goals than Watkins, albeit against Bundesliga teams compared to Premier League defences. Watkins registered nine more assists and had a better xG of 18.6 compared to Sesko’s 13.6. Watkins also had a better expected non-penalty goals plus assisted goals of 22.1, Sesko managed just 13.3 and a better xG (0.51) per 90 minutes.
To be fair to Sesko, eight more goals than Watkins came as a result of just 14 shots. But he fell short to Watkins in shot-creating actions (58 compared to 80 and 1.80 per 90 compared to 2.19). Goal-creating actions, which is a direct action that leads to a goal (passes, takes-ons and drawing fouls) also swung in Watkins’ favour with 16.
Ollie Watkins is one of the best strikers in the Premier League(Image: PA)
In terms of passing and possession, it’s clear to see the major contrast between the pair. Sesko attempted 174 more passes than Watkins but managed just a 66.9% completion rate, compared to Watkins’ 72.8%.
On the ball, Sesko had more touches. FBREF class ‘one touch’ as receiving the ball, dribbling and then passing. However, the Slovenian’s biggest presence came in the middle third of the pitch (559) whereas Watkins’ was in the attacking third (517). The Villa star also registered more in the attacking penalty area, 206 compared to Sesko’s 113.
Sesko’s natural habit of dropping deep and connecting play is something that had made him so attractive to Arsenal with Mikel Arteta utilising a false nine-type centre-forward throughout his tenure. But at United, they need someone to lead the line and stay in the box.
Many factors point towards Watkins being the right choice for United. Premier League proven, expected to be cheaper and fits the criteria needed.
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