Benjamin Sesko has been the best striker signed by Premier League clubs last summer – now’s the time for Michael Carrick to fully unleash him.
That’s the view of talkSPORT presenter Angelina Kelly, who has waxed lyrical over the Manchester United star following his winning goal away at Everton.
6
The 22-year-old broke the deadlock just 13 minutes on from his introduction at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to lift United back up into fourth spot.
Sesko latched a cut back by Bryan Mbeumo, with the Slovenia international firing into the bottom right corner from inside the box.
It was his eighth goal in all competitions since joining from RB Leipzig in a deal rising to around £74million.
Three of his seven top-flight strikes have come in the last four matches – with each goal coming from the bench.
He is yet to start a league game under interim boss Michael Carrick, with his last appearance in the line-up coming under Darren Fletcher’s brief caretaker role against Burnley on January 7 – a game in which he scored twice in a 2-2 draw.
But despite his slow start to his Old Trafford career, United fan Kelly believes he has shown enough to be considered the best centre-forward signed last year.
That is despite Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike both scoring 15 times in all competitions this term – with ten of those coming in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro has banged in 11 top-flight goals since linking up with Chelsea from Brighton.
And Dominic Calvert-Lewin boasts ten league goals since joining newly-promoted Leeds on a free transfer.
Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi is another that has more Sesko, having scored eight so far in his first season in England, while Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade is level with the the former Red Bull Salzburg marksman on seven strikes.
6
Sesk appeal
Having her say on Sesko during the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Devils, Kelly said: “We are seeing a very different Benjamin Sesko.
“We are seeing him playing with confidence, he doesn’t seem nervous, his touch is so much better, he looks a lot silkier.”
Kelly later added: “He’s earned the right to start [against Crystal Palace on Sunday].
“I think when you look at the strikers that were signed over the summer in the Premier League, he’s been the best.
“I think Hugo Ekitike, obviously there is an argument there, but he’s been a little bit off the boil recently.
“I think when you look at the options, the amount of times that Arsenal fans are saying, ‘I’ll swap you Gyokeres and Sesko.’
6
6
“So he has earned the right in some sense, but I think it depends on how he and Michael Carrick views things, the coaches, et cetera.
“I don’t think it ruins his confidence if he doesn’t start, because again, you’re still being given a huge responsibility.
“‘You’re coming on the pitch and you are the person that is going to go and win us this game, you are still important.’
“It’s going to be interesting what happens long-term with this front three [Sesko, Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha] and how we end up lining up.”
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook then shared his belief that Sesko will start this weekend at the Theatre of Dreams in place of Amad Diallo, as he likened his role in the team to that of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s under Alex Ferguson.
He remarked: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spent the bulk of his Manchester United career as an impact substitute.
6
Inside Devils on talkSPORT
There’s nowhere else that does Manchester United like talkSPORT.
Stay ahead of every tactical shift, manager sacking and transfer rumour by making talkSPORT’s Inside Devils show your weekly go to for all things Man United.
Subscribe now to ensure you never miss a beat of the action one episode at a time, sponsored by BetMGM.
Download the app or visit BetMGM.co.uk. 18+gambleaware.org
“Particularly in that treble winning season behind Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, the same for Teddy Sheringham.
“I think part of the art of management is knowing when to rotate and knowing when to manage a squad.
“I think Sesko will start against Crystal Palace, I think if you look at Amad’s last couple of performances, he actually wasn’t great away at West Ham [1-1 draw].
“Against Everton I think he really struggled before being taken off.
“It’s an easy decision for Michael Carrick to make to move Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo out wide and to put Benjamin Sesko through the middle.”
Co-host Flex agreed with his fellow supporters in urging Carrick to let him off the leash, as he stated: “He’s built such a bit of momentum now.
6
“The crowd are all behind him, big anticipation – go and let him spread his wings – start him!”
Flex then said: “He’s proven that he’s not egotistical, he’s got a good character.
“Most of all, he’s got good ability, he’s still young as well.”
Crook concluded the Sesko segment by sharing some inside knowledge of Sesko’s character – which United fans will love.
He revealed: “From what I’m told, he’s first in at training, he’s last out at training, he’s determined to work on his game.
“Speaking of people close to Michael Carrick, he thinks he’s got an absolute star on his hands.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on Benjamin Sesko, but he does really think he’s got a bright future, so it’s a nice problem to have.”