Benjamin Sesko told he should have joined Newcastle United over Manchester United
Manchester United had this pushing need to bring in a striker in the recently concluded transfer window. And the decision-makers at Old Trafford did deliver, as they sanctioned a move to bring Benjamin Sesko Benjamin Seskoto M16.
For large parts of the summer it looked like he was going to move to Newcastle United. The Toons were looking to bring in the former RB Leipzig striker as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who was extensively linked with a move to Liverpool. Newcastle wanted to sign Sesko to take over the goal-scoring reins from Isak.
But Sesko had his head set on moving to M16 instead, and he rebuffed any chance of moving to St James Park. United sanctioned a move which could rise up to €85m in attaining his signatures, but he has not been near the quality of the fee. Given how United boast a lot of flop signings, there is already talk around supporters being scared of how he could end up being another Rasmus Hojlund.
And now Tine Zupan insists that Benjamin Sesko made a mistake by moving to Man United over Newcastle. He said (via. Vala 202 podcast):
“I think Newcastle have a much better style of play for Sesko’s characteristics. Newcastle’s style is a better reflection of what he was used to in Leipzig.
“They are an extremely direct team, very fast, looking for a different way to score than Man Utd. We saw a big problem with Rasmus Hojlund last season, who was the previous striker before Sesko.
“Sesko would be better suited to Newcastle, but I’m not sure if it would be better for Newcastle to have Sesko instead of Woltemade. At the moment, I think Woltemade is more ready for what he has to do.”
Newcastle went with Woltemade after missing out on Benjamin Sesko
Eddie Howe & Co. ended up signing Nick Woltemade in a transfer that could rise up to €90m in fees. But then German has shown early signs of promise for his new employers.
According to Slovenian pundit Tine Zupan, the 22-year-old made a mistake by turning down a move to Tyneside, and he insists that Newcastle will have no sense of regret over missing out on Sesko given that they signed Nick. But for Manchester Reds, the situation is more precarious. The club has invested up to €85m in Sesko. There is a lot of pressure around M16 to develop him into a menace at Old Trafford quickly.
Let’s be honest, United cannot afford another big-money flop. It would only add to the club’s track record of misfires.
Well, it is still very early days. Everything we have seen of Sesko over the past couple of years suggests that he does have the raw attributes to become a success in the Premier League. But stylistically, it is to be seen whether he aligns with the football that Ruben Amorim wants to deploy at Old Trafford (and that so in the pace and power of the English top tier).
But for now, United would want to ensure that they play a bit to his strengths. They don’t risk history repeating itself after the whole Højlund saga.
What did you make of Sesko’s early days at M16? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.