Who is Marcus Thuram? The Gladbach goal-machine linked with Newcastle
The January transfer window presents an opportunity for out-of-form teams to strengthen, but also leaves others in a tricky situation. Realistically, next month is the final chance for teams to bring in money for star players whose contracts expire at the end of the season. The likes of Leicester, Inter and Crystal Palace will be aware that key men Youri Tielemans, Milan Skriniar and Wilfried Zaha are seemingly unwilling to sign new deals to remain at their respective clubs beyond the summer, so need to seriously consider the possibility of selling the trio in the New Year. Gladbach, and Marcus Thuram, can be added to that list.
Thuram isn't prepared to extend his stay with the German side, and that leaves Gladbach stuck between a rock and a hard place. Prior to the Winterpause, only RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku (12) scored more goals than compatriot Thuram (10) in the Bundesliga, marking what is the latter's most prolific league campaign of his career. Of those 10 goals, seven have been deemed clear-cut goalscoring opportunities, showing how effective the French forward has been at finding space in the final third to put opponents to the sword.
Much of that has been down to a change in role with Gladbach. In the wake of Breel Embolo's summer move to Monaco, Thuram, who had operated as the lead frontman previously, was suddenly thrust into spearheading the Gladbach attack. Indeed, all 15 league starts this season have been as the main striker, and it's feasible to suggest Thuram's goals have been a main factor behind the Foals' push towards the top six. They went in at the midway point of the season just three points behind sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund, but whether they'll be able to maintain that form should Thuram depart for pastures new next month remains to be seen.
While some players may have struggled in the permanent change of position in the side, Thuram has thrived. Previously viewed as a left winger who could lead the charge, the Gladbach striker uses this attacking versatility to his advantage, often drifting to the flanks to provide the offensive outleft down the right or left in Daniel Farke's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
It's in the wide positions where Thuram can really maximise a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling' to help put opponents to the sword. Indeed, he has completed the ninth most dribbles (23) in the Bundesliga this season and when he gets one-on-one with defenders, he utilises this weapon at his disposal to devastating effect. What's all the more impressive is that Thuram isn't a pint-sized winger who uses a low centre of gravity to ghost past opponents.
Rather, Thuram stands at a daunting 6ft3in and has, as cliched a term as it may be, good feet for a big man. As such, he is an imposing forward to face when he does get the ball on the deck to run at markers, but can also prove a handy outlet should Gladbach need to go more direct. He may not have been particularly effective at winning headed battles this season - Thuram has returned an aerial success rate of 36.5% - but that could be down to the aforementioned role change.
In previous seasons, Thuram returned an aerial success rate in excess of 50%, yet that was largely when up against full-backs rather than centre-backs, so a drop doesn't come as a huge surprise. For potential suitors, it could be that having him positioned down the flanks when going direct would be a better use of Thuram's standing, rather than keep him through the middle when needs must, but this is a mark of his offensive versatility, which adds to the appeal of landing the France international.
Newcastle are among those credited with an interest, even with an abundance of attackers. That said, given Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin's respective injury issues, coupled with a desire to build upon a fine start to the campaign that has the Magpies sat in third coming into the Boxing Day games, another quality addition to the frontline would help Newcastle maintain their push for a top-four finish.
Newcastle won't be the only side aiming to sign Thuram next month, with Manchester United and Arsenal both credited with an interest in the France international, and you can be sure there will be other high profile sides across Europe chasing his services. His market value has dropped due to his contract issues with Gladbach, but his reputation has soared as a result of his goal return in the Bundesliga, coupled with his solid cameos off the bench at the World Cup, notably his assist for Kylian Mbappe's second in last week's final.
Given he is reportedly available for as little as £8m, Thuram could prove the signing of window for the team that does win the race to land the 25-year-old in January.
