According to Le Parisien, Manchester United are keen on signing Blaise Matuidi this summer. It is believed that the Red Devils have already approached Juventus to prise away the Frenchman. However, they could face stiff competition, with Everton, PSG, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon also interested. As for Juve, they are unlikely to sell their star midfielder this summer and are adamant on keeping hold of the player.
That being said, the Italian giants might be tempted with a lucrative offer, especially after spending a fortune on Matthijs de Ligt this week.
Matuidi’s spell at Juventus
Matuidi initially joined Juventus in a €25 million move from PSG back in 2017. It was a bit of a shocking move but one that paid off at the end. It seems as the Frenchman has become a vital part of the Juve midfield since that time.
The ex-St. Etienne midfielder has notched up 88 competitive appearances during his two-year spell at the Allianz Stadium. He made 29 starts in the recently concluded 2018/19 campaign, helping the Bianconeri retain their dominance over Italian football.
However, Matuidi could find it difficult to receive proper game-time next season, following the additions of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot this summer. Both of these midfielders are sure to provide direct competition to the 32-year-old in the central midfield slot. And that means a move away from Italy might not be a bad idea for the French World Cup winner.
What can he bring to the table?
Matuidi’s style of play can be compared to Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante. Like his compatriot, the veteran midfielder can offer a lot of tenacity in the middle of the park and loves to close down the opposition. He notably attempted 2.4 tackles per game last season, with an impressive success rate of almost 80%!
The ex-PSG star is an excellent reader of the game as well that allows him to cut off passes in midfield. However, what makes Matuidi such a well-rounded midfielder is his ability to distribute possession all over the pitch with his crisp passing. He has attained a pass completion rate of over 85% in seven of his last eight seasons in the top flight.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
Will Matuidi be a good addition to Manchester United?
Matuidi will surely provide the leadership qualities Manchester United have been missing for a long time now. His competence and a robust style of play will also fit in well with the physically demanding nature of the Premier League.
The Frenchman cannot be considered as a long-term option at the age of 32. But, his ability to augment the midfield coupled with his tenacity and dynamism will bring the short-term spark United so desperately need next season.
However, with Juventus eager to keep hold of Matuidi beyond this summer, it’s unlikely the Red Devils will be able to sign the 32-year-old this summer.
