Malcom: Assessing the Brazilian Youngster's Style of Play.

Brazil has been a big part of football and has produced world-class players who have dominated each position and some have even created history, leaving their legacy behind for future generations. Legends, like Pele, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, have showed the power of Brazilian samba by great control, tricks, flair and exhilarating pace. They may just look small basic football moves, but for the fans, its magic, it’s the magic that fills the stadiums and make supporters worship them. The Premier League is dominated by the next breed of Brazilian stars like Coutinho, Willian, Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, who have lit up the league this season. All attackers, these men have shown showed us that Brazil can still produce world-class talents even after the golden generation.

Manchester United have been liked with Bordeaux’s young Brazilian winger, Malcom. United need to spend in the January transfer market in order to close the 11-point gap and catch the league leaders, Manchester City. City, have been in unstoppable form right now, all thanks to their attacking firepower. Jose hasn’t quite been a fan of being a buyer in winter, he’s usually a seller of his fringe players, the perfect example of Schneiderlin, Depay and Schweinstieger all leaving in January. But, he will be forced to become a buyer as he has to catch Man City and make the Premier League a two-horse race again. He is targeting a winger, left-back and a central midfielder to support Pogba to join in the attack and create chances. Mkhitarayan, who started the season in great form in the start of the season has now had a big dip in form, resulting in Mourinho exiling him out completely, favouring Lingard instead. United definitely require some additional pace, creativity and flair. In Malcom, United will find all these traits and in a decent and rather cheap price of only 26 million.

At 20, Malcom has excelled and developed during his time at Bordeaux since joining in 2016. Ligue 1 has some exceptional talents and not long until a big European club reel one more fish out of their pond. Reports suggest that the board will support Jose to buy two transfer targets in January predominantly a winger and central midfielder, and Malcom definitely is included in Jose’s wish-list.

A natural winger, Malcom can operate on either wing but usually prefers the right. He can also be played as an occasional attacking midfielder. It is in the genes of all Brazilian attackers of having lightning pace and Malcom too acquires that trait. He is unstoppable when he runs down the wing and likes to get past defender’s by using tricks.

 Malcom is a creative minded winger, who loves to run down the wing, cut inside and provide low grounded cross or precise through balls. He has an eye for finding his team mates inside the penalty area. He possesses great link-up play and loves backing into his team mates with quick one-two passes, hence creating or starting an unpredictable counter attack. His vision to find team mates in an open position has led to some great chances complementing to his accurate lobbed passes.

Malcom is valued at 26 Million.

 Coming to his finishing skills, his style of play of one-two passing has led him to score some great goals and he also loves to shoot from outside the box with his strong left foot, which is also his preferred foot. He is one of the best long-range shooter in the league, having scored from range this season. The only flaw in his style is his frequent lack of balance. He is a primary target for defenders to foul and tackle, his quick speed gives them no option but to ground him, he goes down very quickly. While trying to cut inside the box, he loses his balance or goes down on the slightest touch, which could be a risk, due to the Premier League’s strictness towards diving, not saying that he dives, but due to the strict perception of English referee’s, he would be on the watch-list if he joins. United really need a player of his quality and at such a young age, his career has just started and a move to United would definitely improve his game by playing in a more competitive league. However, a starting place may not be guaranteed for the Sao Paulo born starlet due to competition from Lingard, Rashford, Mata and Mkhitarayan who’s future is uncertain.

Malcom has played 17 out Bordeaux’s 19 league matches having scored 7 and assisted 4 this season. Out of his 7 league goals he has scored 4 from out the box and 3 inside the box. He has a great passing accuracy of 81% on an average, delivering 39 crosses inside the box.

Signing Malcom would give United a great chance to challenge City for the title. If you feel that how would a 20-year-old unknown kid would fit in one of the most intense and competitive leagues in Europe? Just ask Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, who have caught the eyes of many! Jesus may have rocked the party in the Brazilian League but Richarlison a complete nobody has become one of the most talked about player in the League. His style of play will definitely add flair and creativity in the United attack. A player of his skill and calibre can definitely improve Lukaku’s shooting with the help of his one-two passing and ability to open up the defence, open space and create much needed goal-scoring opportunities. United need a player of his skill who can tear open tight defences and create that gap to allow the strikers to have room to control the ball and finish. If played on the right, with Martial on the left, a player with similar skill sets, Lukaku can reach his top form again.

 With Bordeaux valuing him at 26 million, United can get him at a very cheap price, for a player of his skill. However, a concrete offer is required to convince Bordeaux in selling their prized asset.