Transfer Target #11 - Daley Blind

It has been a considerable length of time since my last transfer target, and to kick the new season off, I'll give you a profile of World Cup hotshot Daley Blind.

 

Similar to most Dutch stars, past and present, he came through the fabled Ajax youth academy and made his senior debut for the Amsterdam side aged 18 in an away match against FC Volendam in 2008, where he made an immediate contribution by setting up the first goal. For the remainder of that season he was utilised sparingly, only making another 4 appearances in the league and another 1 in the UEFA Cup. 

Blind was to remain patient and was loaned out to FC Groningen for the remainder of the 2009/2010 season. Up until the end of the 2011/2012 season, Blind has made a total of 68 appearances for both clubs. 

All of Blind's hard work finally paid off in the 2012/2013 season where he helped Ajax to their third Eredivisie title in a row and was also named AFC Ajax Player of the Year. His impressive performances for the Amsterdam outfit sparked interest from Dutch national coach Louis Van Gaal and he received his first cap for his country aged 22 in a friendly draw against Italy.

Last season was possibly the Dutchman's most memorable. Playing in a holding midfield role, he aided Ajax in their push for a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title, and in doing so, was named Dutch Footballer of the Year. To top a successful season off, he was named in Van Gaal's Dutch World Cup Squad, and scored his first international goal against Brazil in the third place play off.

It has been highly documented about recent activities in the transfer market with relation to Blind. Reports are appearing that Ajax and Manchester United have agreed a fee for the 24 year old. For a team in transition the signing of Blind will add security to a leaky defence. I am thinking that he may rotate with Luke Shaw, or if another wing back is signed, then he will play in front of the defence and will try to break opposition play up.

Daley Blind burst onto the football scene after splendid performances in the World Cup and I would be delighted if Louis Van Gaal brought him into the Premier League. No matter where he goes, I am sure that he will have a glittering career.

Louis Van Gaal: The Man with a Plan?

 

Much of the Old Trafford faithful were excited for the new era under Louis Van Gaal, but concerns were raised after a disappointing defeat to Swansea on the opening day of the season. Now after more dropped points, and humiliation in the Capital One Cup, LVG has broke the bank in order to land a player with the calibre of Angel Di Maria.

The prospect of signing one of Real Madrid's stand out performers last season is very exciting and it certainly is a statement of intent from the Dutchman. Rumour has it that LVG's preferred formation is the 4-3-3, but is playing with his adaptable 3-5-2 until he gets the players that he believes fits his philosophy. Until then, Di Maria is likely to rotate in the central position with Mata and Kagawa, or could even be played in the wing-back role. In the 4-3-3, it is evident to every soul that he will play on the right or the left with Rooney/Van Persie central.

I admire Di Maria a lot, but there is one problem. I seriously believe that LVG has overpaid in order to capture a marquee signing and to keep the supporters happy. £59m is a lot of money to be throwing about and even more so for a club with massive debts and no Champions League income. There is always the chance that Di Maria could flop become another Marouane Fellaini, but I think this is more of a safe buy as the Argentine will be suited to the Premier League. If United don't secure European football for a second consecutive year, then it could spell financial trouble for the Manchester club, particularly if we continue to throw money at the problem.

Another worry, is that attacking players weren't a major concern. Certainly Di Maria is a massive upgrade from Valencia and Young but should the £59m have been spent improving a very ordinary defence? Central defence is a concern, and one that could have been rectified easily through the signature of Mats Hummels, but with no Champions League, and uninspiring performances in the opening weeks, why would he leave a team sailing high in the Bundesliga with almost guaranteed European football every season, for a team struggling through a time of major upheaval? He wouldn't, and even if he would, it would take a hell of a lot of money to sign for the Red Devils. 

In fairness to LVG, he has spotted our defensive weaknesses and set about repairing them with the first step of signing of Marcos Rojo. On first impressions, he seems like a player who always gets his way, after the debacle at the Sporting Lisbon training facilities. On the pitch, I can't really comment on his performances from last season and searching him on YouTube, doesn't give you the full picture. Having watched him at the World Cup with Argentina, where he played on the left, he appeared determined to get forward as often as possible and he prioritised this over his defensive duties, something which I am not overly convinced by. At £16m it isn't an extortionate amount like several other transfers, but he still have to live up to his transfer fee. Hopefully Rojo proves me wrong and grows to become our next Jaap Stam or Nemanja Vidic.

LVG is rumoured to be interested in fellow Dutchman, Daley Blind and he is also someone whom I hold in high regard, particularly after his exemplary World Cup. The Ajax man can play in numerous roles including, defensive midfield, centre half and wing back. He would make a great signing particularly after the teasing crosses he delivered in Brazil. With it looking very probable that £16m buy Marcos Rojo will slot in as a ball-playing centre-back, I think that Blind will rotate with Luke Shaw in the wing-back position, that is if he signs.

In addition to the defensive dilemma's we need to sort out their midfield. Ever since wrecking-ball Roy retired, our midfield has needed a replacement. These cracks became craters once Paul Scholes retired leaving us without a leader and without a ball winning midfielder who can cut up the opponents possession and is not afraid to tackle. It is a struggle to find any a player that fits that persona, so no doubt we will pay over the odds for Juventus' Arturo Vidal. He boasts all of the attributes of an accomplished ball winning midfielder and would add a bit of that long awaited bite to a distinctly average midfield. Again, this transfer poses the same problem as the Mats Hummels saga: Why would he join a club without European football when he is already at a club with it?

On a final note, rumours have being hurtling around the internet that Danny Welbeck could be out the door of Old Trafford, with North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham interested in his signature. I would be very disappointed if Welbeck was to leave the club and I'm sure there are other players who should be sold before the 23 year old. His scoring record for the club is what lets him down, 29 goals in 139 appearances is not good enough, particularly if Manchester United have any aspirations of challenging for trophies again. Time after time Welbeck finds himself in the correct position, but a moment of madness means that he scuffs the shot. At the same time, I struggle to find where he would fit in LVG's tactics, as Van Persie and Rooney are likely to be playing as the front two and Hernandez as the substitute. If he wants to further his career as a Premier League footballer, then perhaps a move away from Old Trafford would probably be better for the Englishman and I know he can become a decent goal scorer eventually.

Louis Van Gaal is almost 2 months into his tenure at Old Trafford and already are we seeing his mark being left on the club. Hopefully he can sort the wheat from the chaff and get rid of the dead wood, so that United fans don't have to endure another season that was behold us last year.