Posted on Sunday, 27th March 2011 by
Paul Scholes has been a lynchpin at Manchester United for almost two decades now, but as he enters the autumn of his career the search for his long-term replacement at Old Trafford must begin in earnest.
Whilst there’s something to be said for the likes of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, most United fans would argue that neither has the creativity, steeliness and competitive drive that Scholes had at the peak of his game.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has long been touted as Scholes’ long-term replacement, but given Manchester United’s financial situation, I can’t see United making a move for a player as costly as Bastian any time in the near future. United are going to have look at youth.
As such, I’d like to put foward German-born, Turkish footballer Nuri Sahin, who currently plies his trade for Borussia Dortmund up for consideration. Whilst Sahin may only be 22 years of age, he made his debut in the Bundesliga at just 16-years-old and has racked up an impressive 129 appearances in the German League. To have such experience at such a young age is no mean feat.
He’s the playmaker in the centre of Borussia Dortmund’s midfield with a knack for making direct, quick passes to player’s feet and generally carving opposition sides in two. Evidence of Sahin’s incredible passing game can be found in the video below.
His vision, passion and touch are reminiscent of Scholes at his best. His talent and ability have had pundits salivating at the mouth already this season – with many claiming that he’s been better than Schweinsteiger. High praise.
There’s every chance that Nuri Sahin will make a move away from Borussia Dortmund in the summer (whether it will be to United however, remains to be seen). There will certainly be offers from top clubs for the youngster. Yet, even if he decides to stay at the German side for another season, we will see him in next season’s UEFA Champion’s League – something that is sure to cement his position as one of the most exciting youngsters in the game.
Without further ado, take a look at Nuri Sahin’s one-man demolition job of Bundesliga team Wolfsburg:
embedded by Embedded Video
YouTube Direkt
Piece taken from This Is Futbol and courtesy of Harry Cloke
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Tags: Nuri Sahin
Posted in Blogs, The Boy Has Got Skills | Comments (23)
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March 27th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Dont need him, we have Manchester United wonderkid and future world class superstar TOM CLEVERLEY. I for one can not wait to see Tom playing next season, he has always done well when playing in the youth system or on pre-season with United and done well on loans at Watford, Leicester and Wigan. I enjoyed watching Tom’s brilliant performances on the 2010 USA Tour and I know for a fact that he is a Manchester United star ready to blow the opposion away. It is Tom Cleverleys time to shine at United.
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March 27th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Tom Cleverley will destroy the opposition, he is that good. Tom can play as a midfielder or a winger and is a goal scorer, he haves great ability on the ball and can single handely take players out the game with his movement and touch, anyone who has seen Cleverley knows that he belongs at United and will play a massive role in our quest for silverware next season.
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March 27th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Tom Cleverley will destroy the opposition, he is that good. Tom can play as a midfielder or a winger and is a goal scorer, he haves great ability on the ball and can single handely take players out the game with his movement and touch. Anyone who has seen Cleverley knows that he belongs at United and will play a massive role in our quest for silverware next season.
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March 27th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
If this kid Sahin plays like this most games – dear god go get him. What a passer, and a creative type we really need! wow.
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March 27th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Tom has a great potential in him…but according to video above, i think Sahin is worth a buy…
Wheb i wacthed that vid, my mind starts to think that its will be great if Sahin could play alongside Chicharito…
His long and short pass are superb, wich i didnt see that in Tom…
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March 27th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
ive been following sahin for about 4 yrs now. hes been good for a while but seems to have matured this season and found his goal scoring touch as well.
cleverly is good on the goal scoring side but his alround game is lacking. i remember watching that usa tour and despite getting a couple goals, he lost possession quite a lot.
to all those saying cleverly is the central midfield answer i think your a bit naive. Sahin is a creator and can score, cleverly is just a finisher at the moment and would only be used on the wings atm i feel
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March 27th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Wow, I’d mostly just heard about him, but actually watching this vid and seeing his long-range passing has moved him up in my queue of desired players. Certainly one to have serious consideration during the summer. The fact that all those highlights are from the same game speaks volumes about his ability.
I’d also agree that Cleverley’s future would be largely unaffected if Sahin arrived. Cleverley is much more positioned as an attacking player and I’ve not witnessed too much strength in his long-range passing.
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March 27th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
i like him better than the alexi sanchez character that sir alex has been looking out. His vision and through balls are insanely good
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March 27th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Wow. I’ve only heard good things about him, his ability is definitely what we need. He reminds me of fabregas, iniesta and xavi combined. He can also tackle! Sign him up Fergie, we need him!
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March 27th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
whats wrong with buying Nuri Sahin and have Tom at the same time..? with Manchester United having all these matches in EPL, Champions League FA cup and Carling cup..fatigue is also an issue…so having the midfield with Anderson, Sahin, Tom, Fletch, Carrick(if in form), Park and Giggs who can both play there…our midfield wuld be good.
What we really really need is to have a left MID
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March 28th, 2011 at 3:48 am
Sahin the best all around centeral midfielder in the world. He is 6 and 8 combo. He thinks like an attacking midfielder and defends like 6. He is an excellent holding midfielder even better than Xavi. His set piece skills though is what sets him apart than the rest.
Here is another great video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy-5PzWzxYY
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March 28th, 2011 at 5:13 am
Oh my, just watched the second vid (thanks Diriye) and I’m blown away. I may be saying this a bit impulsively, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone who truly fits the mold of being Scholes successor. I’m getting a bit caught up right now, but it feels like we MUST sign him.
Of course basing opinions on youtube vids has its limitations, but his quality is undeniable. And as I said earlier, the first vid is over 4 minutes of highlights on him from a single game which can’t be done for most. Unfortunately, the channel I subscribe to which carries the EPL no longer has the Bundesliga, but I feel I’ve seen some compelling evidence so far.
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Chudi Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:46 am
OK I watched the second vid, just packed a small suitcase on my way to the airport to sort out a trip to Germany and will attempt to get him to sign.
I’ll let you all know how it goes!
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jonathan Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Are you mocking me ?
In any case, please don’t forget to bring me back some sausage and chocolate.
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Chudi Reply:
May 8th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Dead serious! Looks like I was too late, he is Madrid bound
March 28th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I might join you! I watched that video and oh my word. He will solve our problems in midfield. I read somewhere else that commenting him as a ‘poor man’s fabregas’ even if that’s true, which I don’t believe he’s exactly the type of player that can bring the creativity and flair back. Just think of him supplying nani, rooney, berb and chicharito with those sublime passes.
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March 28th, 2011 at 11:41 am
I’m suprised that loads of guys here have seen so little of him..He was always a good prospect and its great to see that he’s starting to live up to the expectation..He’s a complete midfielder, a la pirlo..Always open to receive the ball, always looks to move the ball up..Can pass and shoot and is also defensively apt..Completely outplayed shweini in their earlier face off..He’s also quiet good at set pieces..All in all one of the most impressive midfield prospects that could really improve our side..
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Chudi Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 11:58 am
He’s been around for ages but it’s only recently that he has started living up to the expectations people had of him. We were linked with him in 06 (to replace a Madrid bound Ronaldo!?) but I’ll be honest only watched him sparingly in the past 2 years
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March 28th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
A Madrid fan and love to see Sahin sign for us. He can play along side Alonso(30) and replace him when he slows down but it won’t happen since guys like Voldano love to buy expensive players. Perez though is changing his philososphy a bit and might well buy him if Sahin falls into his rader or even if Ozil brings him to his attention. Sahin is also close friends with Ozil.
With his passing and possession game he can definately elevate United to a different level. No matter where he ends up I am always a fan.
Eden Hazard is another great player.
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March 28th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Sahin, Hazard, and Bale are definately the best signings of the summer.
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March 30th, 2011 at 1:14 am
Cleverley has some good talent. He’s not exactly taking the EPL by storm at Wigan, but he’s done ok. Sahin has shown this year that he is better situated to make more of an impact than Cleverley. Comparing Cleverley to Sahin at this point is no contest…Sahin is much better.
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April 9th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Sahin is the only person right now who can fit into Scholes’ boots. He’s the reason Dortmund are doing so well this season, he’s their heart and brain. I have been following him for past couple of seasons and he is one gem of a player who can create, score and tackle.
Please Fergie. Sign him up!!!
Add Sanchez and Neuer and we will be unstoppable.
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April 13th, 2011 at 6:17 am
Report from Germany says Madrid made an offer to Nuri Sahin. Definately great news for us.
http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/nuri-sahin/bei-real-madrid-im-gespraech-17393360.bild.html
With Ozil and Sahin we will be unstoppable. Lovely
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