- Dimitri Payet
Payet has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season alongside players like Vardy, Mahrez, Aguero, etc. The French player is blessed with the ability to dribble freely and has his own unique style of play. His height doesn’t let him down in any part of the game. Payet is quick and agile and has a knack of scoring goals and creating chances more than often. He has single-handedly done more than enough for West Ham United, helping the club to eye for Champions League next year. He has scored 8 goals this season, creating 84 chances and 8 assists.
Style of Play:
The 27-year-old can shoot from distance and has a very strong ability in taking set pieces.
Dribbling can be very easy for him.
Likes to do layoffs and cross.
The reason why Jose doesn’t fancy Mata is because Mata is too slow, too small and lacks physicality. Against Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield in the Europa League Mata was the perfect example of footballing roadkill as the game completely ran over him.
If you are going to identify replacements then first you need to consider whether there are players in the ranks good enough. With a front line of Martial, Rashford, Rooney (playing the 10 role) and Lingard (with Herrera also in the mix), United have the basis of a good front line.
Furthermore the last position United need reinforcements for is the
number 10 position where Mata aside they have Rooney, Herrera, Lingard,
Rashford, Fellaini, Memphis, Januzaj and even Martial to cover dependent
on needs. Mata can easily be defined as surplus to requirements. In fact United could let three potential No 10’s go and still have more than enough cover.
In addition the idea that players who will get Champions League with their current club (e.g. Mahrez & Eriksen) are available is laughable. Mahrez is contracted until 2019 and Eriksen is close to signing a new deal which will keep him at Spurs even longer. Their clubs have no reason to let them go at any price. As for Payet whatever West Ham’s Euro involvement next season, at 29 (not 27) he’s too old.If you are going to name players they need to be realistic options (the right age
, in a team not in the Champions league or with their contract running out looking for a move)
Anyway United do not need a direct Mata replacement. There are plenty of players already at the club to fill the role. Whats the point of chasing players you do not arguably need?
United would be better occupied seeking another experienced striker who will not set back Rashford’s and Martial’s development (e.g. Zlatan, Higuain) a quality central midfielder to take over from Carrick over the next season or so ( e,g Pogba) and an experienced central defender (e.g. Hummels but it won’t be him) to partner Chris Smalling. Otherwise United just need to improve the quality of the squad although in a number of positions that seems to be achievable by promoting academy players (Cameron Jackson, Varela, Pereira, Fosuh Mensah etc).