Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Man Utd’s striker target
Recent news has reported that Man Utd are interested in bringing in the FC Bayern striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to Old Trafford this January.
I’m not sure whether this is a loan, loan to buy or buying him outright deal, but one thing’s for sure, Erik ten Hag is interested in the Camerooninan, who didn’t actually make his country’s AFCON squad.
Transfer master Fabrizio Romano said that Choupo-Moting is “open to that [deal with MUFC].” Romano also said that Bayern are “very happy” with him.
However, despite his happiness, with Harry Kane’s arrival, Choupo-Moting has seen limited game time resulting in this openness to move to Old Trafford. He has played 20 matches this season but started on just 5 occasions. The forward has 3 goals in 522 minutes of playing time.
Choupo-Moting is now 34-years-old but in March, will turn 35. The striker can play a number of different positions such as all across the front line and CAM. His preferred role is of course, as number 9.
His career so far boasts a record of:
Games — 493
Goals — 112
Assists — 46
via Transfrmarket.
A decent return for a player everyone remembers from his time at Stoke. To then be able to play for Schalke, PSG and now Bayern, his agent deserves a raise.
Is he the striker we need though?
Final Thoughts
I think the deal itself isn’t the worst (if it is a loan) until the end of the season but if I’m honest, I’m tired of these deals. Bringing in these has beens, past their best, never been quite good enough players.
We did it with Odion Ighalo, we did it last season with Wout Weghorst and yes, while Choupo-Moting has better numbers than either of those, is more experienced and has played at the top level, is he really the quality we need/want? Is he the guy who can truly take us to the next level and mentor Hojlund?
I know that he is better than nothing and given our financial issues, beggars can’t be choosers, but I am going to be spoilt and stubborn and say I DON’T WANT A 30+ YEAR OLD, PAST IT, HAS BEEN STRIKER!
Benzema?
Well in that case, I WANT A 30+ YEAR OLD, PAST IT, HAS BEEN STRIKER!
Karim Benzema is a different case. I don’t think many clubs (especially in our situation) would turn down Big Benz.
Unlike Choupo-Moting, Benzema is a prolific number 9 who has been there and done it. Goals galore, trophies galore, the Frenchman would be perfect for 6 months and as a mentor to Rasmus.
That’s a deal I’d do.
As for Choupo-Moting though, no. I really don’t want a striker or player regardless of their quality just because it’s better than no one. We’ve been doing this for far too long and has never worked out, at least in the past decade. If we are to do something like this, I would prefer going and getting much better, with all due respect.
Henrik Larsson is the only short-term striker fix I can think of that worked in January. That was a differnet player and a different time though.
So, NO to Choupo-Moting for me. Despite his decent numbers, he isn’t someone who will get me excited and feel that we will be moving forward.
The only positives he will bring is that he can rotate with Hojlund (although I’m not so sure whether Rasmus would want that even more so now that we only play one game a week), nor do I think Choupo-Moting would want that either as he has been doing that rotational role already, and secondly, his arrival could mean the end of Tony Martial at United.
Would Choupo-Moting be a good deal for United this January?
#Chop #EriktenHag #mufc #ggmu #FCBayern #GlazersOut
