Reports in the media are confirming that Manchester United are ready to add weight in their midfield next season. The Red Devils are interested in signing Toni Kroos as their first choice but also have their eyes on Bayern Munich’s versatile midfielder Julian Weigl.
Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at Borussia Dortmund lasted long even after the German’s departure. His heavy metal style of football allowed him to build a team that had aggression and a will to attack relentlessly. He brought in players who suited his style of play and carefully moulded the ones already in the team to form an attacking team which can tenaciously break down rigid defences. His midfielders were stylish on the ball if not anything else and the results of his tenacious but effective approach at Dortmund can still be seen at the club with the signing of Julian Weigl in 2015 is a classic example of a Jurgen Klopp player.
The young German is highly talented and was named the youngest ever captain of his previous club 1860 Munich at the age of 18. He is good on the ball, has a way past defenders, well-disciplined and knows his game and limitations inside out. However, at the age of 22, what is perhaps most impressive about him is his ability to stick to the tactical game plan word to word and carry out instructions by the letter.
It is now being reported that Mourinho is looking to add the German to his roster come next season. The Portuguese boss has made no secret of the fact that he needs a new man in midfield.
“We need to sign a midfield player,” Mourinho said on Friday. “Because we are going to lose Michael Carrick. Of course, we need balance in the team. Some of you [the media] keep saying that we are going to buy that striker, that winger, that left winger, that right-winger.”
“You can accuse me of many things, but you cannot say that I lied to you. When I don’t want to say things, I don’t say [them]. But I don’t take you in other directions. We are looking and we are going to try to sign a midfield player.”
If Weigl were to move, he would form a part of a three-man midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. While Matic will be tasked with holding and shielding his defence, Weigl’s ability to spread the game would free up Pogba to create mayhem in the final third for the opposition.
