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overhyped!! not worth 40 million
£40 million is much to Gaitan
I'm not sure about it, for me I would much prefer Gotze at Borussia I think he would be great for us.
I think us not having a playmaker has contributed to Rooney's lack of goals because he's having to come deep to make the play.
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Midfield problems has had an impact on our attacking players. Carrick's showing yesterday showed what a top midfielder can bring to the table. With a solid midfield Rooney can move closer to the centre forward.
Yeah it is a strange link considering Gaitan plays on the wing... Maybe they feel he can play in a central role but I don't know.
Agree Sideshow Bob, having midfielders on form brings the best ut of the rest of the team in particular Rooney. At the start of the season it was Cleverley and Anderson and now it's Carrick so hopefully it continues. Carrick - Cleverley - Rooney - Welbeck will be a very good spine from midfield to attack.
I mean the Independent's article is suggesting that we're interested in signing both Gaitan and Garcia.
Can you genuinely see us splashing out one hell of a lot of money in January on two players when the gaffer has effectively ruled it out?
I cannot see it.
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If true why did we pay 18 million for Ashley Young ? Gaitan is a left winger out and out
thought he could play across the field
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Sounds like her plays as a "central winger" for Benfica.
Yeah well like Young can play across the field aswell but I'd still consider him an out and out left winger - as in it's their best position. I can guarantee you if we sign Gaitan he will be played on the left. Unless of course we change our current formation.Originally Posted by vida1878
After reading up a bit on this prospective deal I think it's more of an option we have in place than anything. I believe we had a similar option in place for Rodwell last year but cooled our interest as the year progressed. What it does is it gives our scouts further time to not only weigh Gaitan up, but also to weigh up other alternatives.
His agent has confirmed contact between the two clubs in this link.... United 'have held Gaitan talks' | Football News | Sky Sports
To be honest I don't know much about him, but a few points:
1. If he's a winger, forget about him. I understand he replaced Di Maria at Benfica, and has done a good job of it, but we don't need another winger! The wings are one of our strongest positions right now.
2. If he can play in the centre, and effectively, with 2 strikers ahead of him and not just one, then snap him up quickly. A 4-5-1 or variation of it doesn't suit Rooney or the team, in my opinion, and if he is one of these players that "likes to play behind the main striker" you can also forget about him. We have plenty of attacking talent, it is the support and solidity from the middle that seems to be missing.
3. If he is, as I've been told, a Mata/Silva-like player, surely he isn't as good as those two? If he is being bought to play between the lines like the two Spaniards, and he isn't at the same level (which I doubt he is, unless Gaitan is a real gem that I'm brushing aside foolishly), then why spend £30m on him? We need to stay in touch with our rivals, not lag behind.
4. I've only ever seen him play against United, and even though he looked good (I believe he won MoM in one game) he didn't really jump out at me as something very special. Saying that, it would be foolish of me to judge him on those two games alone, especially seeing as he seemed very adept. But is there a fear of him perhaps lacking that "x-factor" we so desparately crave?
Well Fergie may feel he can play centrally but personally I can't see it. We have Rooney in that position and that won't change. Can't see Nani being budged from the right wing either so I can only see Gaitan being used as a left winger.
As for whether he's as good as Silva or Mata, I don't know. I haven't seen enough of him to judge. What I do know is that our scouts have seen star potential in players before that maybe others didn't see. Douglas Costa... Alexis Sanchez.... even Nani were all touted as future stars by our scouts well before most other sides had spotted their potential. It's well documented that we haven't as much cash as other big european sides but 30 million is an awful lot of money so they must have seen something special in Gaitan.
yes he does seem to be in the mould of silva/mata. It does strike me that gone are the days of the scholes and xavi's and now moved onto more fluid attacking wingers/CM's. The £30 million price tag gets me, i really hope it is around the £20 mil mark as he hasnt proved himself yet, he only just moved to Benfica and could be a huge gamble. Saying that if the staff at United really think he's worth the pop then by all means go for it!
I understand that the fee is slightly inflated both because of a clause that forces them to a pay a percentage of it to Boca Juniors, and the fact that he is part-owned by a trust set up a few years ago to help Benfica's financial situation.
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Would be a good signing, but is it all paper talk?
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A Benfica Fan’s take on Nicolas “Nico” Gaitan…
A Benfica Fan’s take on Nicolas “Nico” Gaitan…
By Matthew J. McKay
Nicolas Gaitan arrived in Lisbon, Portugal in the early summer of 2010 from heralded Argentinian club Boca Juniors. Many casual fans and observers think that he was bought as a direct replacement for the outgoing Angel DiMaria, who had been sold by Benfica to Real Madrid in June of 2010. However, Gaitan was actually purchased before the DiMaria transfer was finalised. Gaitan arrived at Benfica as a wide-eyed but confident 21 year-old winger, soft spoken and humble, and with DiMaria’s huge shoes to fill. Hand-picked by coach Jorge Jesus, Gaitan was one of several players that Benfica had targeted to overhaul the squad in an attempt to keep the Portuguese league title in Lisbon. On May 9, 2010, less than a week after Gaitan’s arrival, Benfica had secured their first domestic championship in over a decade, and Coach Jesus intended to keep the trophy in Lisbon for years to come. Nico was to be an integral part of his plan.
Like many South American players, Gaitan was a little slow to adapt to the regimented, formation-based style of European football, and struggled at times in his first appearances for the club. He was criticised for his slight physical stature, his occasional lapses in concentration, his defensive efforts in midfield, and (most bizarre of all) for being Argentinian! Benfica traditionalists love and idolise their Portuguese players, and as the Benfica line-up began to feature more and more South Americans on a regular basis, the team, and especially the coach, received heavy criticism in the press. However, as Nico began to adapt, and then to quickly excel, this dissent eventually quieted to a whisper. By the time his first season at Benfica had ended, and it became clear that his play and his statistics would surpass those of fan favourite and star player Angel DiMaria, he had become adored. Now, in less than two full seasons, Nico has attained almost legendary status at Benfica. He has grown into one of the best wing players in all of Europe, and his transfer value has skyrocketed.
As far as Gaitan’s weaknesses are concerned, it has already been stated that he has been criticised for his consistency, or lack thereof. He is sometimes prone to lapses in concentration, and has also been known to get a little lazy on defence, especially late in a game as fatigue begins to set in. Also, he has somewhat of a slight build, but he has remained surprisingly healthy during his time at Benfica, picking up only a few minor knocks and no serious injuries. Further, any lingering questions about his size and physicality should be taken in context with what players like Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and David Silva have been able to achieve in the Premier League as of late.
Any discussion of Nico Gaitan’s strengths would most certainly start with his ball control abilities, his passing skills, and his vision and anticipation on the pitch. All are top-notch, and his passing ability is peerless. He has excellent pace and speed, and the ability to finish from anywhere in the box. Most impressive to me is his versatility. I have literally seen him play every attacking and central midfield position, and seen him deployed in multiple formations. Based on his passing ability and vision, most find him especially suited for a central attacking midfield role. Ironically, due to the stellar play of veteran #10 (and fellow countryman) Pablo Aimar, that is the one position where he has had limited opportunities in his time with Benfica. In my opinion, Gaitan is most effective when deployed out on the wing in an attacking position, and given the freedom to drift into the central midfield as needed. This type of a role allows him the opportunity to maximize his skill set by playing in space. The final strength I would identify, and a virtue most important to any player of his calibre, is his “big-game mentality”. Nico Gaitan has consistently produced for Benfica in the biggest of games, and on the biggest of stages. Whether in the Champion’s League, in a crucial domestic league match, or in one of the hotly contested “derby” games, in which Benfica participates, Gaitan has demonstrated an uncanny ability to have his best performances in some of his club’s most important games. For this fan, nothing makes him more valuable than this immeasurable attribute.
Us Benfica fans are, of course, heartbroken to see players like David Luiz, Fabio Coentrao, Ramires, and Angel DiMaria sold on a regular basis to ensure our club’s future and its financial survival. Now, our beloved Nico looks set to join that esteemed list of former Benfica players. However, at the same time, the reality of the Portuguese economy dictates that these sales are necessary in order to keep the business model working. Like a proud father, I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours, and will look on with immense pride and great anticipation as Gaitan gets his opportunity to shine on one of the world’s biggest stages, wherever that may be. An opportunity, mind you, that he has most certainly earned, and is absolutely worthy of.
“Nico: com um embraca forte, eu diz “obrigado”
(Nico: with a strong embrace, I say “thanks”)
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Talk in Portugal is that both Gaitan and Javi Garcia will join us in the summer. Arsenal apparently enquired about one of them and found that we already had an agreement in place.
https://twitter.com/#!/gcardosolopes
From Tuesday:Today:United tried Javi Garcia this weekend. Benfica said no. At the end of the season almost certain that him and gaitan going there.Someone from a english club called yesterday to Javi Garcia's agent trying Tó know if he had agreed with United. Other club on the move? .... Story about Javi Garcia confirmed. Arsenal tried to know if United has already an agreement with him.
Not against either of them joining us but not sure the fees that have been quoted are the "value" Fergie is looking for.
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Similar vibes to last season with De Gea.
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