Manchester United have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market so far. The Red Devils already secured the services of Fred, who comes from Shakhtar Donetsk, and Diogo Dalot, who joined the side from FC Porto.
Everybody knows Fred, who will participate with Brazil in the upcoming 2018 World Cup if injuries allow him to do so, so we will talk about him with a bit more detail in an upcoming piece. But right now it’s time to focus on Dalot… because the majority of the fans do not know the talented full-back quite well. For what is worth, the numbers indicate he is quite an attacking threat since he finished with four goals and eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions for FC Porto.
It is often said that one image is better than 1,000 words, and this time we will get some much-needed help in form of a video thanks to our friends at ScoutNationHD, who have compiled a great video of the 19-year-old defender:
So… what are his strengths and weaknesses?
First of all, it is clear that Dalot has an insane amount of pace, and that his best asset comes on the attacking end. Dalot is quick with the ball on his feet, can get past defenders with dribbles, and his crossing is quite accurate as well – as his numbers indicate. But he can also score at will, making him a complete attacking threat. In a way, he is a cross between Maicon and Marcelo. That could turn out to be a deadly combo.
His versatility is also a plus, as Dalot has seen consistent time on both flanks. And the fact that he can operate both as a full-back or as a wing-back can offer interesting tactical alternatives to Mourinho. At 19 years of age he is far from a finished product, but there is no question there is a lot of potential in his boots. And United will need to work him out so he can become the talented player many expect him to be.
Dalot has a few flaws in his game, though. First of all, he lacks concentration at times. And at times he makes the wrong decision on the defensive end. But being at United will allow him to learn from several experienced players that can teach him the nuances of the game. And we can’t forget the fact that he is only 19 years old.
The talent is there to make him a world-class player
There is no question Dalot was an interesting signing for The Red Devils. And while he remains a work in progress – especially on defence – he can become one of the best fullbacks in Europe sooner than later. The talent is there, it only depends on how much work he wants to put in to correct the areas where he is not as strong.
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