5 Facts Man United fans should know about £22m target Anderson Talisca ‘wanted’ by Jose Mourinho
Benfica star Anderson Talisca recently hint in an interview with Globoesporte that Manchester United are interested in him and stated that Jose Mourinho has wanted him for a long time.
“That is a question I can not give an answer to just yet,” Talisca was quoted as saying when asked about United interest.
“I cannot deny there is interest but what happens next depends on Benfica and my representatives.
“Look every player dreams of playing under him [Jose Mourinho].
“Mourinho wants me, he has wanted me for a long time and I am an admirer of his work.
“I had a good season so we will see what happens.”
This was followed by reports in Turkey suggesting that United have agreed a deal with Talisca.
Conflicting reports from Besiktas claim that there is no deal currently on the table.
As things stand Talisca will stay at Besiktas on loan unless his £22 million release clause is activated by United.
With new rumours regarding United interest in Talisca surfacing almost daily we thought it would be a good idea to familiarise fans of the Red Devils with the attacking midfielder who lit the Super Lig up this season.
See More: How Man United’s 4-2-3-1 could lineup with £22m target Talisca who ‘Mourinho wants’
Winner
Talisca has won silverware and more importantly league titles at every club he has played at since leading Bahia in 2014.
The 23-year-old has played Champions League football for the past three seasons scoring in each European campaign.
Bahia: 2013-14 – Campeonato Baiano
Benfica: 2014-15 – Portuguese League (11 goals, 3 assists)
Benfica: 2015-16 – Portuguese League (9 goals, 1 assist)
Besiktas: 2016-17 – Super Lig (17 goals, 6 assists)
Eye For Goal
Talisca takes more shots on target than any other player in the league, averaging 4 per-game. With 13 goals in 21 league starts Talisca has one of the best conversion rates in the Super Lig.
The powerful attacking midfielder has a lethal long shot and excellent free-kick taking ability. In fact he directly scored 12 percent of all free-kick all in the league this season.
Eight of Talisca’s 13 league goals came from outside the penalty area – the highest record in the Super Lig.
Ten of the 23-year-old’s league goals were scored with his left foot.
Nicknames – Yaya Talisca or The Snake
The powerful attacking midfielder is a larger than life character and has picked up a few nicknames.
Yaya Talisca is one of our favourites and probably best represents his playing style. The 1.92m tall attacking midfielder towers above most opposition defenders. For a player of his stature he is surprisingly agile and skilful on the ball. Like Yaya Toure he drives forward from midfield into attacking positions and has an eye for goal.
Another nickname he picked up this season in Turkey is the ‘Snake’. Usually calling somebody a snake could be construed as an insult and is usually referred to describing somebody of a duplicitous nature. However, Besiktas fans call him the snake because based on the attacking prowess of the creature. They believe like a snake Talisca attacks with speed, precision and has a lethal bite.
Is He Premier League Material?
Talisca was built for the English football where fans and pundits seem to love raw power, speed and work-rate.
Towering over most goalkeepers let alone defenders the fast, powerful attacking midfielder has the strength and fitness demanded from a Premier League player.
Additionally he also happens to be pretty gifted with his feet and is remarkably impressive at dribbling past defenders for a player of his stature.
As far as Mourinho is concerned one concern would be his lack of work rate at times when the opposition is in possession. Considering his physique, if he were to develop the defensive aspect of his game it could end up becoming a major strength.
Work Permit
Talisca would currently be unable to play in the Premier League as the Home Office would not be able to provide a work permit under the current conditions as he has not played 30 percent of game for Brazil over the past 24 months.
There is a way United could get around the restrictions and that would be to apply for a work permit on the basis of being an ‘exceptional talent’.
Permit system for non-EU players
According to the FA: Required % of international matches over previous 24 months is determined by the player’s National Association’s official FIFA ranking:
FIFA 1-10: 30% and above
FIFA 11-20: 45% and above
FIFA 21-30: 60% and above
FIFA 31-50: 75% and above
Reference period reduced to 12 months for those players aged 21 or under at time of application
“There will still be an ‘exceptions panel’ but it will no longer be reliant solely on subjective supporting evidence, but will make the decisions based on stricter assessment of relevant objective criteria,” according to FA chairman Greg Dyke.
“The new system will make it far easier for us to identify and attract top quality players that truly are at the elite level, and it will make it far tougher for those who don’t meet the quality standard to get to play in Britain.
“It is a significant step forward.”
