Rio Ferdinand is one of the Premier League’s greatest ever centre-backs and therefore is an excellent judge of a striker based on how he would defend him.
Opponents preparing to face Manchester United this upcoming campaign have a much grander task than during the 2024/25 season.
Having became ultimately a laughing stock, with attackers who couldn’t score goals, by the time the Premier League kicks off, there will be genuine quality in the frontline.
United have signed two of the Premier League’s best forwards in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, while the brand new trifecta is set to completed with a number nine.
Benjamin Sesko looks almost nailed on to be United’s third major signing of the summer transfer window. On Wednesday, United won the race for Sesko, as the Slovenian chose Old Trafford over Newcastle.
Sesko is ready to fly to Manchester, with United and RB Leipzig in advanced talks to get the deal done as soon as possible.
Benjamin Sesko running while looking at ball for RB Leipzig.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand discusses Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United
With the arrival of Sesko likely to be confirmed over the next few days at this rate, now Rio Ferdinand has discussed the Slovenian and the prospect of signing him.
More United News
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the legendary defender discussed Sesko and explained that he will be scaring defenders.
“He’s a young kid, but he’s been at Leipzig where he’s playing and scoring goals. Last season he played 45 games and scored 21 goals and six assists, so the guy knows where the back of the net is.
“Yes it’s a different league, it’s the Bundesliga but he does play international football and scores in international football, he knows where the net is.
“A lot of people are going to say ‘has he got the experience?’, I was one of those guys in that camp asking ‘where is a player who can show the young, inexperienced strikers we have at the club how to do things?’
“In times of need who do they look to, he is going to have to step up and be that guy, can he do it? Yes he can do it, he’s got huge potential.
“As a defender, I am looking and thinking differently about Manchester United’s frontline, I would be thinking, ‘I am going to have a physical presence up there, have a physical test from all three positions and players who can move, they are mobile.'”
Ferdinand doesn’t sound completely convinced, with United fans sceptical due to Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles, however, it is a completely different situation with Sesko already having a record of goal scoring and far more of a sample size than Hojlund.
Benjamin Sesko’s speed and size should perfectly suit the Premier League
Sesko has impressive finishing despite not getting the credit he deserves for how good he can be in front of goal, while his ball striking is truly elite leading to some impressive goals.
However, as good a striker of the ball as Sesko might be, Ferdinand has made it clear that the physical aspect of the Leipzig forward is what excites him.
One shocking trait that is impressive is that Sesko has an amazing vertical jump which should see him winning plenty of attacking headers, while it also could see the long ball become an option for United.
According to the Premier League website, Sesko clocked in at 35.7 km/h, behind only a few strikers and also just 1.5 km/h slower than the Bundesliga’s fastest player (Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jean-Matteo Bahoya – 37.2 km/h).
Sesko is not only quick, but he is also 6ft 4in and very strong both on and off the ball, which is the recipe to be dangerous to any centre-back in any league.
The Premier League particularly is the ideal home for physical strikers and Sesko will have to get used to this and likely work on his strength continuously to continue dominating.