Donyell Malen

[tomasjj]

Do you think he's quick enough to play in that wide forward space? I'd have thug he was better suited through the middle

From the video I saw, Isak looked to use his pace quite a lot. I'd say he is.

 

[King Binny]

 

[rurikbird]

Very small sample size, of course, so the numbers by themselves don’t mean much. But it’s a sign of a good player to immediately strike up an understanding with other good players - Malen has never played with Depay before, but now those two complement each other very well.

The manager originally planned to use big target man Weghorst to allow Depay to play off him, but the chemistry of Malen and Depay has been much better, which is why some Oranje fans even hired that airplane to make the point.

 

[bluebell]

Very small sample size, of course, so the numbers by themselves don’t mean much. But it’s a sign of a good player to immediately strike up an understanding with other good players - Malen has never played with Depay before, but now those two complement each other very well.

The manager originally planned to use big target man Weghorst to allow Depay to play off him, but the chemistry of Malen and Depay has been much better, which is why some Oranje fans even hired that airplane to make the point.

If he continues in the same form we're probably looking at an asking price of £50m plus, doubt he'll be in our range then. Dortmund will soon be flushed with cash soon as they hope to sell Sancho

 

[RedStar]

Dortmund won't pay £50m or anything close to it, so if his price is rising to that extent it probably takes them firmly out of the running

 

[Hyena]

There's word that he has a gentleman's agreement wuth BVB, and it's all tied up more or less

 

[The Nomad]

If Dortmund are interested.. we should be all over it.

 

[Hansern]

The fee has been quoted at about 25-30 mill £ I think

 

[tomasjj]

I like this player, but I do wonder where he fits into the squad with Mane, Firm, Salah, Jota up front.
Surely he is too good to be the option replacing Origi?

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

But isn't that exactly what you want @tomasjj ?
Another player competing for starting places offers (a) a true quality option off the bench and (b) a kick up the arse for anyone who mails it in.
Origi is a legendary, tired, disinterested, massive drop-off in quality. We need to build him a statue and ship him the fuck out.

 

[Fabio]

But isn't that exactly what you want @tomasjj ?
Another player competing for starting places offers (a) a true quality option off the bench and (b) a kick up the arse for anyone who mails it in.
Origi is a legendary, tired, disinterested, massive drop-off in quality. We need to build him a statue and ship him the fuck out.

I'd still honor the lifetime contract I promised him, but I'd put him on gardening leave.

 

[tomasjj]

But isn't that exactly what you want @tomasjj ?
Another player competing for starting places offers (a) a true quality option off the bench and (b) a kick up the arse for anyone who mails it in.
Origi is a legendary, tired, disinterested, massive drop-off in quality. We need to build him a statue and ship him the fuck out.

Yes, you are right, it is what we need.
But with all the stingy talk, I now struggle to see it as realistic that we will spend 25 mill on an Origi replacement.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I'd still honor the lifetime contract I promised him, but I'd put him on gardening leave.

He deserves a statue outside Anfield. But since we're skint, maybe he can just stand there himself instead.

 

[rurikbird]

Yes, you are right, it is what we need.
But with all the stingy talk, I now struggle to see it as realistic that we will spend 25 mill on an Origi replacement.

We need a Firmino replacement/competition, not just Origi replacement. I think Malen fits the bill, he has some of Bobby's traits like the ability to link well with other strikers and unselfishness, but his pace and goal threat means he should be able to deputize for Mane/Jota when needed as well. His physique and style of play should translate well in the EPL.

Speaking of style of play, Malen’s former youth coach at Ajax said it’s hard to describe his game, but the closest comparison among well-known strikers would be Alexis Sanchez (that quote was from 2 years ago).

 

[tomasjj]

I rate him, and deffo hope we sign him. Just not too optimistic with our owners.

 

[Dreambeliever]

The latest game video is more impressive, but unfortunately got deleted because of copyright – hopefully someone will reupload it. I wouldn't read too much into that one touch (which he did manage to keep in play still) – I've seen him on more occasions (including that full game against Ajax) and his touch is good. He looks like a proper powerful CF in the Eredivisie, but I think in England he might struggle to hold up the ball up top at first until he gains a bit more muscle strength – but long-term I think that would not be an issue. Overall he's well-built, balanced and explosive.

Pretty much impossible to separate a good touch with being strong under pressure unless your touch is incredible.

 

[King Binny]

 

[SummerOnions]

Seems so weird that they go that way around and it's acceptable