Kees Smit: Manchester United at the front of the queue to sign next Pedri | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim has seemingly managed to steady the ship at Manchester United, who are unbeaten in their last five games. Still, the Red Devils are not cruising past their opponents consistently.

Long passes out from the goalkeeper remain Amorim’s go-to method for progressing the ball higher up the field. However, the approach of bypassing the midfield in build-up stops United from controlling the game. 

United need more technically gifted midfielders who don’t treat the ball like a hot potato. 

Manchester United keen on Kees Smit

According to Defensa Central, Manchester United are among “the main clubs” chasing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit.

19-year-old midfield gem has landed on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs, including United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, after breaking through at Alkmaar. The teenage sensation has made 19 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit this term.

Over the summer, the Dutchman was named Player of the Tournament at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He finished the tournament as one of the four top scorers.

Smit’s contract at Alkmaar is valid until the summer of 2028, but the Spanish outlet suggest he could leave the club in January for a fee in the region of €20 million.

Smit draws Pedri comparison

Smit is yet to make his senior debut for the Netherlands national team. However, he has attracted Ronald Koeman’s attention with his exploits.

The head coach compared the Alkmaar youngster to Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri, who is considered one of Europe’s best midfielders due to his press-resistance and passing vision.

“The way he turns away from his opponent, the way he scans the area, his two-footedness… I saw that in Pedri too,” said Koeman.

Interestingly, youth coaches at United believe they already have a midfield wizard like Pedri at Carrington.

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming 17-year-old Jim Thwaites is considered “one of their best technical talents in the academy at the moment.”

Featured image Daniel Jayo via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social