We’re lower than two weeks into November and but groups are already drawing up their January switch lists. Manchester United are prone to delve into the market within the New 12 months as they search to shore up their backline and we assess 4 younger centre-backs reportedly on the Premier League aspect’s shortlist.
Antonio Silva (Benfica)
Boasting a WhoScored ranking of seven.24, Antonio Silva is the most effective rated centre-back in Liga Bwin this season. The 20-year-old has been a key performer in Benfica’s quest to defend their Portuguese crown together with his distribution very important for Roger Schmidt’s aspect. Certainly, Silva’s go success fee of 94.3% is the most effective in Portugal’s prime tier this time period, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored power of ‘passing’.
There’s additionally a willingness to do all he can to disclaim opponents from chancing their luck on the Benfica aim. Silva’s common of two.9 tackles per sport ranks fifth in Liga Bwin, whereas he is usually in the precise place on the proper time to alleviate strain on the backline, with 3.7 clearances per sport putting twenty sixth. The teen is extremely considered at Benfica, so it’s going to take an enormous bid to persuade the Eagles to promote their prized defender, however Silva may very well be the one to revive Manchester United’s lumbering backline.
Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP)
Whereas Silva has been incomes the plaudits in Portugal, the actual fact is Benfica sit second to Lisbon rivals Sporting CP heading into the weekend’s assembly between the pair. Sporting have conceded the third fewest objectives (9) within the division and the league leaders will hope to go into the worldwide break 5 factors clear on the prime.
They will want their very own Portuguese centre-back to be at his greatest when the rivals face off on the Estadio Da Luz. Goncalo Inacio has established himself as one of the crucial wanted younger defenders in Europe and it is solely a matter of time earlier than he makes his subsequent transfer. Like Silva, Inacio is an adept ball taking part in centre-back, rating prime for passes per sport (84) in Liga Bwin. The 22-year-old is probably not as proactive as his compatriot, however for a Sporting aspect with the second greatest go success fee (85.5%) within the division, Inacio is important to the best way Ruben Amorim’s aspect play.
Jean-Clair Todibo (Good)
Manchester United have been linked with a transfer for Good’s Jean-Clair Todibo over the summer season however a switch didn’t materialise. The Frenchman has continued his glorious kind for the Ligue 1 leaders as famous by a advantageous WhoScored ranking of seven.25. Good prime France’s prime tier forward of the weekend’s motion and the inspiration has been the watertight backline. Certainly, they’ve conceded fewer objectives (4) than another staff.
The 23-year-old has solid a stable partnership with the vastly skilled Dante on the Allianz Riviera and Good could be reluctant to lose a participant who has received possession within the defensive third extra instances (215) than another participant because the begin of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season. Like Silva and Inacio, Todibo can be a useful distributor having made the fourth most passes per sport (85.9) in France’s prime tier this time period, whereas a go success fee of 90.2% can be respectable.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
Having spent final season on mortgage with Dutch aspect PSV, Jarrad Branthwaite returned to Everton and has since develop into a key man below Sean Dyche. The 21-year-old has began 9 of 11 league matches for the Toffees this time period whereas a WhoScored ranking of 6.93 is the fifth greatest for the Merseyside outfit. The 21-year-old has made fairly the impression at Goodison Park this season, too, with experiences suggesting that the teen is on Manchester United’s centre-back radar.
What stands out is Branthwaite’s spectacular studying of the sport, a high quality that belies his tender years. 16 interceptions ranks seventh within the Premier League, with the Everton centre-back adopting a measured method to defending the Everton aim. As well as, the Toffees defender routinely finds himself in the precise place to clear the decks having made the 14th most clearances (43) within the division up to now. Whereas he struggles to match the aforementioned trio by way of taking part in out from the again, Branthwaite’s Premier League expertise actually weighs in his favour.
