Manchester United: Is Camavinga the perfect heir to Matic’s throne?
By Varun Aithal
With Paul Pogba’s departure almost certain, Manchester United have an opportunity to invest in one of Europe’s top young midfielders, Eduardo Camavinga.
In recent times Manchester United and other top European sides have been linked with a move for Eduardo Camavinga. This, all while the player discusses new terms with his current club Rennes.
The third-youngest player to feature for France national team could be the perfect replacement for wantaway Paul Pogba and a great long-term heir to Nemanja Matic.
"Rennes and France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has been attracting plenty of attention recently, but while the youngster is flattered by the names being mentioned, he remains focused on the present campaign.Camavinga, whose deal at Rennes expires in the summer of 2022, is the third youngest player ever to have played for the senior French national team and the youngest in over 70 years.If he continues to show that the expectations around him are well-placed, it is very possible that Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United will make a deal with his current club.Real Madrid, for their part, are already in advanced talks with those around the player. (Via: marca.com)"
Red Devils, Los Blancos, Juventus, and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with a move for the player for over a year. Camavinga, who operates as a defensive midfielder, has played a crucial role in front of the backline for Rennes.
With Paul Pogba’s performance declining game by game and his statements creating a divide amongst the fanbase, the club might soon off-load the World Cup winner. In that case, the club will have to look for a replacement and Eduardo Camavinga can be the solution.
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The player recently ranked fifth in the Golden Boy Award 2020 list. It was Borussia Dortmund sensation, Erling Haaland, who won the trophy with Ansu Fati finishing as the runner-up.
Camavinga would be more of a replacement for Nemanja Matic than what he would be for Paul Pogba based on statistics and you can see that right away.
Eduardo Camavinga’s numbers game
The Angola-born player broke into the senior squad when he was just 15 years old. He has grown without any bounds and is doing great for his team. The player has not only plugged the hole in defense but has also carried the ball forward with precision.
Hailed as “Roy Keane 2.0” by United’s fanbase, Scott McTominay has made huge strides at Old Trafford. However, the player has failed to match the precision and perfection that Nemanja Matic offers the club. Matic’s problem, on the other hand, he is on the wrong side of 30.
In the below graph, one can certainly observe the rise of Eduardo Camavinga. Though he had a poor pass completion at the start of the 2018/19 season compared to McTominay and Matic, the teenager has improved his numbers at Rennes with each passing season thereafter.
According to the statistics, Eduardo has even collected a higher pass completion rate compared to the Serbian in 2020/21.
Eduardo Camavinga is on the rise!!! What are your thoughts? Any chances of MUFC snapping him up? pic.twitter.com/a2w8LYSJme
— ವರುಣ್ ಐತಾಳ್ (@AithalVarunkr) November 24, 2020
Also, the teenager has carried out his defensive duties to perfection. Over the seasons, the player has racked up more interceptions than Nemanja, despite the Frenchman featuring in fewer minutes and games than the Serb. Even in the ongoing campaign, the player has been involved in more interceptions compared to both the Scott and Serbian.
In terms of success rate in the number of tackles attempted, Scott McTominay wins the race with 63.63%. However, the French teenager is level with the Serbian despite attempting more tackles in a season. The addition of the player to the Old Trafford outfit will bring out the best of the other players too.
Eduardo Camavinga will feature in the Champions League tonight against Chelsea. #RENCHE. The French teenager is one to watch out for!!! pic.twitter.com/nxKSTUIFl4
— ವರುಣ್ ಐತಾಳ್ (@AithalVarunkr) November 24, 2020
The player has handled the stardom and has not allowed it to go to his head. The player has remained humble despite being one of the brightest stars for the future. This coupled with the fact the player is yet to finish his teenage years, he will absolutely fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s philosophy.
News in the transfer mill states the 17-year-old is all set to sign a new deal with Rennes. The fresh contract will allow them to increase his transfer value, giving them more of a leg to stand on when one of the bigger clubs in Europe comes knocking for his services.
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It is high time for the Red Devils and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make a decision regarding the sensational talent. Hopefully, we get to see him in action when Rennes take on Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Camavinga recently returned from a month-long injury layoff.