Why Erik ten Hag W anted Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United

DBasia.news – There are already three players who have been recruited by the Red Devils, namely Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez. These three players were present at the recommendation of the coach, Erik ten Hag.

The Dutch coach knows exactly what he wants and tries to implement it at Man United, no doubt Ten Hag knows exactly how the characteristics of the three players play, especially Martinez.

The 24-year-old Argentine defender was recruited from Ajax Amsterdam for 57 million euros plus bonuses. In the last three seasons at Ajax, Martinez has evolved as a typical modern defender who knows how to defend as well as build an attack, Martinez is left-footed.

With Ten Hag, Martinez won two Eredivisie at Ajax. Ten Hag knows Martinez’s playing characteristics which he calls a fighter.

“He’s a fighter and I think the fans will admire him. He has the attitude, the fighting spirit,” Ten Hag said as quoted from the official Man United website.

“He brings aggressiveness to the game, in a good way. I think we need that. But also, he is skilled and he can handle the ball and he has a left foot,” he added.

Statistics

Martinez may be judged by the public to be too short for the size of a defender who will play in the Premier League, with a height of 5 feet 9 inches. But in fact the statistics from Opta show why he has the nickname “The Butcher of Amsterdam” and of course, the reason why Ten Hag wants him so much.

Martinez had the highest average of successful aerial duels of 100 or so last season, he won 70.2% and that is an impressive record for a defender who is not tall. Another part that is a plus is the operand.

Ten Hag wanted dominant, aggressive football and control of the game. Martinez meets that criteria. His technical ability with the ball is good and in the Eredivisie, no player has played 10 games or more with as many successful passes per 90 minutes as Martinez (82.3%).

Added from Statman Dave, Martinez is one of the defenders who can play the best ball in the Champions League. Details per 90 minutes: passes (87), progressive passes (offensive forward, 7.88), tackles (3.13), kicks (1.38), through balls (0.25), assists (0 ,13).