The football transfer market has been set ablaze by rumors that Kingsley Coman could be on his way to Old Trafford. United have been eyeing up a move for Borussia Dortmund’s star winger Jadon Sancho, but they have been put-off by his £100 million + price tag. Coman is being seen as a potential alternative to Sancho as his price tag is much lower than that of the Englishman. Coman signed a 5-year contract with Bayern Munich, which is set to expire in 2023.
The winger is one of the many young superstars in the French lineup. Coman was one of eleven players that were put on standby for France’s squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but was not called up due to injury. He has performed exceptionally well for his national team featuring 22 times since 2015, scoring 4 goals. He was also a part of the 2016 Euro runner-up squad, where he was nominated for the Young Player of the Tournament Award, which ultimately went to Portugal’s Renato Sanches.
The 24-year-old has 4 goals and 4 assists this season, featuring 24 times for Bayern. He suffered a horrific knee injury in a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur in December, which led him to miss a couple of games. He is injury prone, but this has not hampered his performances and shows his class every time he steps onto the pitch.
Originally of Guinean descent, Coman was born in Paris, France, and joined PSG’s youth academy in 2004. He made his professional debut for PSG in 2013. The Frenchman transferred to Juventus next season and won the league every season he played in Italy. After securing a 2-year loan deal with Bayern in 2015, Coman has not looked back since, winning the league every season he has played in Germany as well.
Kingsley’s playing style can be described as no short of flashy and entertaining. He possesses extreme pace and acceleration, which can be matched by very few players in Europe. The winger has a bag of tricks at his disposal, which he uses to confuse and beat defenders. His long-range shooting is excellent, and he is a serious threat from close range. The Frenchman possesses an extraordinary technical ability to play on both flanks and make the opposition’s life miserable when on the pitch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has made it clear that his team is in desperate need of a winger. United’s current front three comprises of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. Rashford features on the left-wing, Greenwood covers the right flank while Martial leads the line. The underlying problem is that all three of them are strikers and not wingers. Greenwood and Rashford, though performing exceptionally well, are not playing in their natural position.
Manchester United bought Dan James this season, but his performances have been overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Mason Greenwood, which led to James being dropped to the bench. Coman can help cover the tracks on both sides and seriously change the way United play, linking up with fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba.
When the transfer is seen from Coman’s perspective, it seems like a perfect move at an ideal time. He is 24 years old and about to enter his prime. He has already played in 3 of Europe’s top 5 leagues, and moving to the biggest league in Europe might allow him to prove his worth and showcase his real talent to the world. Manchester United are struggling, and he can be the difference for the team, replacing Marcus Rashford as the Red Devil’s main-man. His current club, Bayern Munich, just bought in Leroy Sané from Manchester City. Sane and Coman play in the same position. It could add to tensions in the team as one of them would have to be benched, with the left flank occupied by either Sane or Coman and the right-wing held by Serge Gnabry. It looks likely that Coman will start a new chapter in his career.
