Liverpool, Manchester United and Southampton players complete our front three in a top transfer eleven.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their second goal
In the final part of our transfer XI, we complete the line-up with the front three. One lone striker and two wingers spearhead a 3-4-3 formation.
As the main number nine we have seen Christian Benteke return to scoring ways since his switch to Crystal Palace and Álvaro Negredo impress in glimpses for Middlesbrough since his loan move from Valencia.
In the end however, there is only only one realistic picks that merits his place.
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, the move was welcomed with open arms in the red half of Manchester.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their third goal
There were however, more than a few who voiced their concern, citing the Swede’s lack of pace in the most physical of leagues.
Scoring four goals in as many games to begin his Premier League odyssey, the 35 year-old ended a six-game domestic drought with his second brace – away to Swansea City last time out.
Ibrahimovic has wasted a hat-full of chances, but finding the right areas precludes to his predatory nature.
Scoring at a ratio of more than a goal every other game with six goals thus far, as per WhoScored the Swede has attempted more shots per outing than any out-and-out striker this term with 5.4 efforts compared to Kun Agüero’s 4.9 and Diego Costa’s 3.4 shots per game.
Both have a higher conversion rate alluding to the veteran’s profligacy, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proved he can still pack a punch and will challenge for the golden boot this campaign.
On the right wing, Liverpool’s Sadio Mané has made an explosive impact on the pitch at Anfield.
Allotting six goals and two assists in 11 games so far, the Senegalese has become pivotal in Jürgen Klopp’s gegen-press system, with the former Saints man opening up the play with lightning-fast plays on the right-hand side.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their fifth goal
Scoring one more than star-man Philippe Coutinho having played one game less, Mané has also been a huge source of distribution making more key passes than midfield duo Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson per outing, with an average of 1.6.
BBC pundit Trevor Sinclair has suggested that The 24 year-old could make the same impact on Merseyside as Luis Suárez did following his arrival from Ajax in January 2011.
Whilst it is too soon to tell with any real certainty, Sadio Mané’s addition to The Reds squad could help spearhead a realistic Premier League title push this season.
Completing our line-up on the left is a close call, considering Nacer Chadli’s impact at West Bromwich Albion, but due to his greater versatility, Southampton man Nathan Redmond gets the final nod.
Deployed by boss Claude Puel in a striking role this term, the winger has notched a trio of goals. whilst an average of almost 1:4 is perhaps not the most impressive of figures, the England U21 man has become a pivotal cog in the Saints’ set up this term.
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond celebrates scoring their first goal
Despite a more advanced role, only midfielder Oriol Romeu has a higher pass success rate to Redmond in the side. In terms of key passes also, only winger Dusan Tadic averages higher, with Redmond still averaging over two key passes per game.
Nathan Redmond has dove-tailed with both Shane Long and Charlie Austin up front almost effortlessly for a – let us not forget – natural winger and gets our final spot.
Confirmed final transfer XI:
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