United Miss Out on Another Target as Thomas Strakosha Joins Brentford

Thomas Strakosha, Brentford, Manchester United

According to latest reports, Manchester United target Thomas Strakosha has joined fellow Premier League club Brentford. The Red Devils were earlier reported to be in pole position to sign the free agent, but the shot-stopper has preferred a move to the London side.

Strakosha has been at Lazio for the majority of his career, spending just one season (2015-16) on loan at Salernitana. In the span of almost a decade, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has featured 208 times for Lazio (stats via Transfermarkt). He has also played for Albania on 19 occasions. He has won the Coppa Italia with the Serie A side two times, once in 2013 and recently in 2019.

Thomas Strakosha, Manchester United, Brentford — Image obtained via United In Focus

Last week, according to Metro, Manchester United were close to agreeing a deal with the Albanian keeper. The Red Devils want to fill the vacant position created by Dean Henderson’s departure to Nottingham Forest on a loan deal. After Henderson’s departure, the club only have David de Gea and Tom Heaton as goalkeepers in their first-team.

The Manchester club want to bring in another backup in the goalkeeping position. The 27-year-old has been the second-choice keeper at Lazio for a long time and decided to let his contract expire this summer. Thomas Strakosha wanted more game time and thus, decided to join Brentford, as reported by The Athletic.

✍ Welcome to Brentford, Thomas Strakosha#StrakoshaSigns pic.twitter.com/3mYtapDAql

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 14, 2022

Although United have Tom Heaton as a backup option for De Gea, they still lack a third option which most teams have. They might be a bit tight on the transfer budget considering their spending in the previous season. However, a good goalkeeper on a free transfer would have been perfect business for the English club.

Why Thomas Strakosha Could Have Been A Great Backup Signing?

Thomas Strakosha stands at a huge stature of 6 feet 3 inches. This makes him a great shot-stopper who can reach the other post faster than many other goalkeepers in world football right now. He does not have the best kind of experience in the top-flight but his ambition to play at the highest level would have helped him succeed at Old Trafford.

Better than Mendy, Ederson and Allison. Ladies and Gentlemen, Thomas Strakosha 😊 pic.twitter.com/nNSmGAJID0

— Akwasi August (@PaaUnited____3) July 9, 2022

Erik ten Hag likes goalkeepers who are comfortable using their feet to pass the ball effortlessly. The Albanian has that quality; he can also play very good long passes that help in launching counters for his team. In fact, long passing is one of his strongest attributes apart from goalkeeping. He idolises legendary goalkeepers, Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer. Strakosha’s liking for the German goalkeeper is manifested through his passing.

David de Gea has been heavily criticised for his ball-playing abilities. Although he is one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, he still struggles at times to collect the ball from crosses or at coming out of his box to clear the ball. Moreover, he also lacks the passing ability and the technicality to build from the back the way Ten Hag likes it.

Thomas Strakosha joined Brentford as he wanted to be in contention for a first-team spot. However, he would have needed to improve his shot-stopping capabilities drastically to get considered ahead of the Spaniard. The Spaniard has won matches for Manchester United single-handedly and Strakosha is yet to do that for his club.

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