Manchester United are maintaining their interest in Kalidou Koulibaly, despite several attempts being already rebuffed, according to a report from The Sun(via Talksport). The Red Devils sent scouts to watch the Napoli defender as they aim to shore up their defensive department in the upcoming January transfer window.
United have struggled defensively this season, with most of their key defenders underperforming and thus, a move for Koulibaly makes sense. And in this article, we will discuss as to why the Premier League giants should do everything to get hold of this highly rated Serie A defender in January.
Why Manchester United should sign Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly is widely regarded as one of Europe’s best centre-halves, thanks to his consistent performances in the Italian top flight for the past three years. Since joining Napoli back in 2014, the Senegalese international has become a vital figure in their defensive backline, having made 186 appearances for the Partenopei in all competitions.
Especially under the stewardship of Maurizio Sarri, Koulibaly transformed from a robust centre-back to a world-class defender, who is now known for his excellent passing as well.
Indeed, the 27-year-old has attained a passing accuracy of 89% this season and the fact that he rarely gives the ball away is also indicative of his brilliant awareness and composure on the ball. This could certainly benefit Manchester United, who have lacked the presence of a ball-playing defender in recent years.
Defensively, Koulibaly has racked up excellent numbers too, averaging 2.4 tackles per game with a success rate of 83% – more than any other current United defender. Additionally, the 27-year-old has made 1.4 interceptions and over four clearances while winning 2.4 aerial duels per game.
These numbers are indicative of Koulibaly’s dogged defensive nature as well as his aerial superiority, which also makes him a threat from set-pieces – qualities that are tailor-made for the Premier League, especially at Manchester United, who have often relied heavily on set-pieces recently.
But, with Mourinho heading through the exit door, United are open to a new style of play under their future manager and that’s where Koulibaly might come to the forefront due to his vast experience as well as his all-round qualities in defence, which makes him a suitable option for any manager.
On the flip side, however, securing the services of Koulibaly will be a big ask for United, with Napoli reluctant to let go of their star defender. But, the Senegalese international certainly has the quality to make a huge difference in the Red Devils backline as they look to make a swift recovery in the second half of the campaign and overall embark on a massive rebuilding process.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
