Sport
Man Utd or Newcastle – which team would be the better fit for in-demand Benjamin Sesko?
Benjamin Sesko could be on his way to the Premier League this summer. The Slovenian striker is wanted by Manchester United who are in the market for a new centre forward and Newcastle United who could soon need a replacement for Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak. Sesko may have his pick between the two.
But which team would be the best fit for the 22-year-old? Sesko has clear potential and is valued at over €75m by RB Leipzig who are playing hardball over their prize asset, but he must make the right career decision to become one of the best strikers of his generation. Sesko must weigh up all the different factors in front of him.
At Newcastle, Sesko would likely arrive as the replacement for Isak. The Swede is wanted by Liverpool who are reportedly willing to pay a Premier League-record transfer fee to further strengthen their forward line. However, Sesko is a different sort of centre forward to Isak. He would play the position in an alternative way.
While Isak is one of the best all-round strikers in the world, Sesko can be clumsy in the final third. His first touch could use some work and there are concerns that the Slovenian simply doesn’t get into good enough goalscoring positions inside the box often enough. Isak, on the other hand, is so intelligent with his movement and even smoother with his first touch.
Sesko, however, is blessed with pace. This is where he is comparable to Isak. In fact, Sesko is even faster than the Swedish striker, making him a good fit for a Newcastle side that wants to get in behind as often as possible in moments of quick transition. Sesko would make sense as an addition in this respect. He is rapid and that makes him a frightening prospect.
Manchester United are looking for a similar sort of centre forward. They want an attacking focal point who can attack open space and give Ruben Amorim’s team a sharper cutting edge in front of goal than last season when United could only muster a meagre 44 goals in 38 games. Brentford, West Ham and Wolves all scored more.
United have already added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to their forward line, spending roughly £150m on the pair. In a sense, this has reduced the pressure on the club to find a top-level centre forward with Cunha and Mbeumo both proven Premier League performers. Nonetheless, there is interest in Sesko. RB Leipzig expect a bid from Old Trafford to arrive in the coming days.
At Newcastle, Sesko would have a platform in the Champions League after the Magpies finished in the Premier League’s top five last season. The Slovenian surely wants to play at the highest level of European football and Newcastle would be able to offer him that in the way Manchester United can’t at this moment in time.
There is, however, an appeal to Amorim’s project. While Newcastle are being limited by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, Manchester United remain one of the biggest clubs in the world. They can still spend big to attract top talent and Sesko would be joining a forward line that, on paper, could be among the best in the English top flight.
Newcastle are aiming to become a force at the top of English and European football while Manchester United are attempting to return to that level having been dominant under Sir Alex Ferguson. Sesko could help either team achieve their objective, but the Slovenian should be viewed as raw potential. He must make a smart decision to live up to his billing.
