Who is Florian Wirtz? The well-rounded teenage sensation wanted by Man Utd

 

At the end of the 2019/20 season, Bayer Leverkusen were prepared to cash in on Kai Havertz. The Germany international enjoyed an exceptional delayed campaign, netting 12 and providing six assists, which saw his stock soar. As such, the Bundesliga side were able to command a £62m fee from Chelsea for Havertz.

 

Many may have felt Bayer Leverkusen were being foolish in cashing in on Havertz, however the German giants had a readymade replacement in the ranks. In Havertz's final season in Germany, Florian Wirtz made seven league appearances, starting three times. In the following campaign, Wirtz enjoyed a respectable breakout season as he scored five and provided five assists, but 2021/22 has proven he is anything but a flash in the pan. 

 

Following the Hinrunde, Wirtz has already matched his 2020/21 goal return and provided eight assists; only Thomas Muller (13) has registered more in the Bundesliga this season. At 18 years of age, the future is certainly bright for Wirtz. Contracted until 2026, Bayer Leverkusen are under no pressure to quickly cash in on the Germany international and with his flying form, they can command a huge fee should they elect to sell. 

 

That is unlikely to happen in January, but when it comes to the summer, Manchester United are rumoured to be monitoring his progress closely. United have been linked with a host of Bundesliga talents following Ralf Rangnick's appointment last month with Wirtz the most prodigious of those in Germany's top tier. 

 

This is despite United boasting a host of attacking midfield talents, including Jadon Sancho, who moved to Old Trafford for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund earlier this year. Sancho has taken his time to get going back in England, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reluctant to use the England international consistently, but a change to a 4-2-2-2 setup has seen the 21-year-old start all three games under Rangnick. 

 

Nevertheless, while Rangnick will leave his role as United head coach at the end of the season to take up a two-year advisory role at Old Trafford, the 63-year-old isn't against remaining on as boss if required. Rangnick will be key in the upcoming transfer windows and if United are prepared to spend big on Wirtz, then the Premier League powerhouse will be confident of winning any potential race for the teenager. 

 

He could feature as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the front pair in a 4-2-2-2, and his work off the ball would be an added bonus in a Rangnick side that presses opponents from outset. Granted, he may not stay on beyond of the end of the season, but he will lay the groundwork for what is to come and Wirtz would be an important player both on and off the ball. 

 

 

34 chances created is the seventh best return in the Bundesliga this season to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'key passes', while 28 successful dribbles ranks 12th in Germany's top tier. There is a fine end product to his game when he does beat an opponent, an important quality for any attacker, and one that will only improve as Wirtz continues to blossom. 

 

What is crucial, though, particularly for this Rangnick managed side where pressing is key, is that Wirtz isn't afraid to throw himself about in order to rob opponents of possession. An average of 1.3 tackles per 90 is a respectable return for a player who operates so high up the pitch. In addition, 54.5 touches per 90 shows that Wirtz is prepared to not only help out defensively for Bayer Leverkusen, but operate closer to the midfield in search of possession before turning and driving forward with the ball. 

 

He is granted the license to drop into deeper positions by Gerardo Seoane and he maximises this freedom to good effect to the benefit of both Wirtz and Bayer Leverkusen. Of course, United are blessed with a plethora of midfielders in a similar mould, and with Bruno Fernandes effectively a guaranteed starter when fit, there is a number of players fighting over one position, but Wirtz is one of the most talented teenagers on the continent and if the Premier League side are in a position to secure his services, then they must absolutely capitalise on that opportunity. 

 

Wirtz wouldn't be the final piece of the jigsaw that is United's midfield, yet he is very well-rounded midfielder and one of the most consistent creators on the continent, despite his age. Indeed, he'd be the archetypal midfielder for a Rangnick side and even if the German isn't at the Old Trafford helm next season, he is laying the foundations for what is to come at United. Wirtz could, then, be central in ushering in the next era for the club.

Who is Florian Wirtz? The well-rounded teenage sensation wanted by Man Utd