Spurs and Atletico Madrid have both been linked with a move for Lille right-back Zeki Celik. The 24-year-old, who is also on Roma's radar, featured for Turkey in last summer's rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament. (Sport Witness)placeholder image
Spurs and Atletico Madrid have both been linked with a move for Lille right-back Zeki Celik. The 24-year-old, who is also on Roma's radar, featured for Turkey in last summer's rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament. (Sport Witness)
Man United have been linked with a new right-back, but would they be better served looking closer to home?
Manchester United’s flaws were all exposed against Everton with a limp display getting exactly what it deserved.
Ruben Amorim, rightly, took a lot of the blame for his refusal to adapt his game plan, however, the players seemed to run out of ideas in terms of how to break down a team with ten men. If the Red Devils want to get back to where they once were, getting past resolute teams who sit in and defend is a key quality that needs to be developed. Another is having defenders who want to defend.
Who Man United should sign instead of Zeki Celik
United have been linked with a move for Zeki Celik of Roma with the 28-year old Turkey international approaching the last six-months of his contract at the Serie A league leaders. It would be the sort of signing that would add experience and immediately strengthen the starting XI but is it the right signing to make?
Amorim needs proven players with Premier League experience and players who are capable of playing for Champions League teams. United need to find them at the right time and take advantage of opportunities around the footballing world. With Arsenal flying high at the top of the Premier League Mikel Arteta is having to leave some of his previously trusted lieutenants on the bench with Ben White growing increasingly frustrated with his role at the Emirates.
At 6ft 1inch tall, White adds a physical presence at full-back and is also more than capable of slotting in at centre-half. He is also a threat at set pieces, but first and foremost, he is a good defender and, as shown by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal for Everton, United still have a soft centre when it comes to a natural desire to stop the ball going in the back of the net. It might be a controversial signing from Arsenal, but United need proven quality and players who can be relied upon to be consistent and there isn’t a team in the Premier League who White would look out of place in.
Why White could be set to leave Arsenal
Speaking in 2024, when he extended his contract at the Emirates, he clearly felt that Arsenal was where he was going to stay, via the club’s official website: “I’m so happy – it’s been a long journey, and amazing to sign again and be here for more years. I’ve said before I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, so it’s perfect. I think with the team, there’s not too much said about where we want to be. I think everyone knows we’re in for the highest we can, and I don’t think anything is too big for us to be able to challenge and win. There’s no limit to what we can achieve.”
White took advantage of an injury to Julien Timber last season, however, the Netherlands international has been a key factor in Arsenal’s defence dominating most teams that they have come up against this season. Whilst White might be right about what Arsenal were capable of, if he wants to play football, he might have to look elsewhere and United should take advantage.
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