Ten Hag Wanted Brobbey For €40m: Comparing His Goals To Hojlund's

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 23, 2025

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Brian Brobbey's Goal-Scoring Record & Playing Style

Ajax & Netherlands Statistics

Brian Brobbey's career has seen him consistently find the back of the net, albeit with varying degrees of regularity. Analyzing his statistics provides crucial insights into his goal-scoring abilities. While precise figures fluctuate depending on the source and the inclusion of cup competitions, a general trend emerges. His goals-per-game ratio in the Eredivisie with Ajax, while impressive in bursts, hasn't reached the consistently high levels of some of his contemporaries.

• Crucial Goals: Brobbey has shown a knack for scoring important goals in crucial matches, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. His performances in the KNVB Cup, for instance, showcase this ability.
• Eredivisie Comparison: Compared to other top strikers in the Eredivisie during his time at Ajax, Brobbey's goal-scoring rate was often competitive but not consistently top-tier. This suggests room for improvement in terms of consistency.
• Playing Style: Brobbey is often described as a powerful and direct striker, a classic number 9 with good strength and aerial ability. However, he sometimes lacks the clinical edge of elite strikers, needing more chances to score compared to some of his peers.

Ten Hag's Tactical Fit

Ten Hag's interest in Brobbey stemmed from a perceived tactical fit within his system. Brobbey's attributes align with certain aspects of Ten Hag's philosophy.

• Physicality & Pace: Brobbey's physical presence and pace would have offered a different dimension to the Manchester United attack, potentially complementing other players’ styles.
• Formational Adaptability: His ability to play in different attacking formations made him a versatile option.
• Reported Interest: While concrete details remain scarce, reports suggest Ten Hag saw Brobbey as a strong addition, capable of adding a different type of threat to United's attack. The high reported fee suggests a significant level of belief in his potential.

Rasmus Hojlund's Goal-Scoring Record & Playing Style

Atalanta & International Statistics

Rasmus Hojlund's emergence as a promising young striker is undeniable. His statistics at Atalanta and with the Danish national team paint a picture of a player with considerable potential. His goals-per-game ratio, while not astronomical, reflects a player who consistently contributes goals.

• Impressive Goals: Hojlund has demonstrated a range of goalscoring abilities, showcasing both powerful finishes and skillful strikes. His performances in Serie A highlight his ability to find the back of the net against tougher opposition.
• Serie A Comparison: Compared to other Serie A strikers, Hojlund’s goal-scoring rate was competitive given his age and relatively limited time in the league.
• Playing Style: Hojlund is praised for his pace, athleticism, and intelligent movement. His style incorporates a blend of physical strength and technical skill.

Hojlund's Manchester United Fit

Hojlund's arrival at Manchester United suggests a belief in his ability to seamlessly integrate into Ten Hag's tactical system.

• Pressing & Link-Up Play: Hojlund's pressing capabilities and link-up play are considered key assets that compliment Ten Hag’s high-pressing style.
• Squad Complementarity: His attributes effectively complement the existing Manchester United players, offering a different type of attacking threat.
• Transfer Fee: The fee paid for Hojlund, while significant, is likely considered a worthwhile investment given his age and potential. The reported €40 million for Brobbey would represent a much higher price for a player with a similar, or potentially lower, goal-scoring record and a arguably less suitable tactical fit at Manchester United.

Direct Comparison: Brobbey vs. Hojlund

Statistical Comparison

(Note: These are approximate figures and can vary depending on the source and timeframe considered. Accurate figures are hard to pin down due to the variety of competitions and sources.)

Style and Tactical Suitability Comparison

Both players possess unique attributes, but Hojlund's profile appears to better fit Ten Hag's tactical preferences. While Brobbey's physicality is a strength, Hojlund’s combination of pace, movement, and pressing capabilities seems more aligned with the demands of Ten Hag's system.

Value for Money Comparison

The reported €40 million price tag for Brobbey appears significantly higher than Hojlund’s transfer fee, considering their comparable – if not superior – goal-scoring statistics and tactical fit within the Manchester United system. Hojlund represents potentially better value for money.

Conclusion

This comparison highlights the contrasting profiles of Brian Brobbey and Rasmus Hojlund. While Brobbey possesses undeniable talent and physical attributes, Hojlund's style and statistics, coupled with his potentially lower transfer fee, suggest a more suitable and potentially more cost-effective addition to Manchester United's squad under Erik ten Hag. Both players are talented, but Hojlund's suitability to Ten Hag's system seems a better fit, making the reported €40 million Brobbey pursuit seem extravagant in retrospect.

What do you think? Was the Hojlund signing a better investment than the reported €40 million Brobbey pursuit? Share your thoughts on the Brobbey vs. Hojlund debate in the comments below!