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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has warned his former club that they would be taking a big risk by signing Viktor Gyokeres, despite his incredible exploits in front of goal so far this season.
Gyokeres has emerged as one of Europe’s deadliest strikers this term. He currently has 24 goals and four assists to his name in 20 appearances across all competitions for Sporting Lisbon.
This tally includes a hat trick in the Champions League against Manchester City. However, it was a different story on Tuesday night when the Sweden international came up against Arsenal’s centre-back pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba.
The Gunners dominated Sporting at Estádio José Alvalade, cruising to a 5-1 victory. Gabriel and Saliba had Gyokeres’ number almost all game – a feat that very few defenders have managed this term.
Ferdinand believes that Gyokeres – who has been heavily linked with a move to United following Ruben Amorim’s appointment as head coach – will face similar challenges to those he encountered against Arsenal if he secures a transfer to the Premier League.
The former England man said on TNT Sports [via The Mirror], “His strengths played into the strengths of the two central defenders he was up against and that’s what he’d find in the Premier League week in week out. Two big strong centre halves the majority of the time. Can he deal with them?”
“It wasn’t until Gabriel went off that he actually got a bit of joy against Kiwior, a player who’s not as big and not as strong. These two centre halve are the best as a partnership and they didn’t give him an ounce the whole game. He’s been crucifying teams in those areas running the channels, these guys look supremely comfortable in doing that.”
“Have I seen enough to say he can come to the Premier League and be a success? I’m not saying he wouldn’t, but I’m saying you’d need to see more than what we saw today.”
However, Rio added that Gyokeres will be “licking his lips” at the prospect of being reunited with Amorim at Old Trafford.
“I wouldn’t put him in the top bracket yet because he hasn’t done it in a top league. With all due respect to the Portuguese league, it is a very good league, but it’s not one of the top leagues. If he signs for a team in the Premier League, he’ll be having to prove who he is.”
“He’ll have to reshape himself and say ‘this is me’, presenting himself to everybody under that spotlight and then going ‘right, this is who I am.’”
“If he wants to win, he goes to Manchester United… no, I’m joking! The key point is that he knows the manager. For a transition into another league, to go with somebody that knows your game perfectly and will actually be able to get the best out of you – he’s proved he can do that somewhere else.”
“And you’re going to go somewhere where he’s rebuilding, and you can be the star of that process with him. I think he’ll be licking his lips at something like that.”
Meanwhile, United return to Europa League action on Thursday when they host Bodo/Glimt.
Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images
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