According to the fine folks at Ladbrokes, Manchester City have been eyeing up Manchester United target Ezequiel Cirigliano. He’s been mooted as a potential replacement for Nigel de Jong, who the article claims City are desperately trying to shift. If what the article states is true, it looks like De Jong wont be a City player by the end of the summer. And if that’s the case, who’d bet against Roberto Mancini adding some reinforcements to his midfield?
Cirigliano, given his Argentine nationality and his playing style has rather lazily been compared to Javier Mascherano. At 20-years-old, he has the potential to evolve into any kind of player. But there’s no doubting his potential, or the fact that he shares some similarities with his compatriot.
He’s great at reading the flow of the game and snapping into tackles. He’s difficult to shake off. He’s a little fiery. He’s hard to handle. But he’s also pretty confident with the ball at his feet. Once he’s won the ball back, he’s known for his ability to spread the play, and deliver that killer pass. Given his versatility, it’s little wonder that both City and United are said to be monitoring him.
He’s one of Argentina’s best footballing prospects and given the calibre of players that tend to come out of that country, that’s got to be worth something.
Of course, United are busy chasing after Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Moura and may well end up letting this youngster slide through their grasp. But I personally hope that that’s not the case. Whilst Moura has a potential to kick on and become one of world football’s greatest attacking threats, Cirigliano looks like a better all-rounder.
And hasn’t Sir Alex’s main aim in the transfer market over the last couple of seasons been to find a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes. Let’s not forget the kind of player that Scholes was in his prime. He was a midfield enforcer who just so happened to be one of the best passers of all time. Lucas Moura looks like a replacement for Anderson. Cirgliano would be a realistic replacement for Paul Scholes.
And I know what I’d prefer. If City are interested as Ladbrokes suggest, that should be a genuine worry for United. The sooner they act, the better.
What’s your take? Should United snap up the young Argentine or leave him for City?
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Please SAF buy this young player