The transfer fee for Youri Tielemans was already looking smart, but in his own words, that deal could age as an absolute masterstroke.
In a market where twice-relegated players like Mateus Fernandes are fetching £85m, and Elliot Anderson sets a new record after one good season, Youri Tielemans is a smart deal.
This is the Belgium captain, Youri Tielemans, at the peak of his powers, proven in the Premier League, adding a necessary set of skills to Man Utd’s midfield.
If that wasn’t enough on its own, then, in Tielemans’ own words, a quality that he was born with makes it a true bargain.
Youri Tielemans’ take on leadership
A lack of leaders is one of the first problems Ineos went about addressing at Old Trafford by buying model professionals.
It’s not a coincidence that the dressing room is much better at Carrington now than it was two or three years ago.
A character like Tielemans will add to the same, but he won’t just add to it; he will become one of the crown jewels.
Speaking to Man Utd’s official website, Tielemans said that his nickname is “Capri” ever since his Anderlecht days, because he has always been a born leader.
Considering Tielemans was a fresh-faced 16-year-old at Anderlecht, for senior players to call him “Capri” is a huge endorsement for his leadership abilities.
He has honed them further since then through suffering some challenging times, and was clearly Unai Emery’s leader on the pitch even without the armband last season.
Being a born leader for just £35m is a huge deal in itself, but he also provides Carrick with crucial tactical flexibility.
Tielemans models his game on Zinedine Zidane
In the same interview, Tielemans said that he models his game on Zinedine Zidane, who was more of an attacking midfielder.
Clearly, there are shades of Zidane in the way Tielemans passes the ball and creates chances, but he has become a jack of all trades since his breakthrough.
Today, he is a more athletic version of the player who used to emulate Zidane, and it provides his manager with tactical flexibility.
Due to his footballing idol, Tielemans is a great option for the attacking midfield spot, and due to his transformation, he is a brilliant option for the deeper midfield role as well.
Depending upon the opposition, the manager can play him next to Kobbie Mainoo, in place of Mainoo, or ahead of Mainoo.
He can perform all those roles with equal ability, which is worth its weight in gold for Carrick.
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