Gakpo using World Cup to play part in Man Utd audition

 

Cody Gakpo has been a revelation for Netherlands at the World Cup, scoring three goals in four appearances, and helping to guide his national team to a quarter-final showdown with Argentina tonight. Throughout the tournament, we have seen links to Manchester United with the transfer almost certain to go through by all accounts. 

 

So far, he has done more than enough to prove why he could succeed for any top European side, which would explain why there were so many teams after his signature in the summer. 

 

Things could have been very different for Gakpo, however, leading into this tournament. 

 

For one, there would be no links to United had he completed a transfer to Leeds back in the summer, which was near enough complete according to multiple reports. It is possible he may not have continued to hit the heights he had in the previous season had this transfer gone through and then not made the Dutch squad, especially when you consider Leeds are fighting a relegation battle at present. On the flip side, he may have been the difference for the Whites to potentially break the top-10 barrier and prove the missing link they need since the departure of Raphinha, so would have still made the cut. 

 

However, for Gakpo personally, what needs to be considered is the minutes he has had in Qatar so far, which look to be a lot higher than many had expected, especially with Memphis Depay’s injury. Depay didn't start the opening two games owing to a hamstring injury sustained in September, with Gakpo chosen to play as a No.10 against Senegal and lead the line alongside Steven Bergwijn against Ecuador. Journalist Jonathan Wilson has suggested that had Depay not been injured, Gakpo may not have started those two games, which leads to the idea he would have been limited to just impact substitute appearances. 

 

But instead, it now looks as though Gakpo may well lineup alongside Depay in tonight’s encounter against Lionel Messi and co., just as he has done in the last two games, with Louis van Gaal publicly praising the 23-year-old, stating: "he has everything it takes to become a star." 

 

 

His performances at the World Cup have been nothing short of spectacular, scoring three goals in three straight games, which has put him in joint second place for the Golden Boot behind Kylian Mbappe (5). It meant he was only the fourth Dutch player to score in three consecutive World Cup matches and all three goals were different from the other, scoring with his right foot, left foot, and head. 

 

He has averaged 1.3 dribbles per 90, while creating nine key passes, which only Antoine Griezmann (15), Lionel Messi (13) and Dusan Tadic (10) can better, emphasising the all-round nature of his game, which is why he has the adaptability to play anywhere across the frontline. He is the sort of total football player Erik ten Hag would be looking for. 

 

Hard work and effort is also key to United under ten Hag, and he has shown his defensive capabilities while on international duty, averaging 1.6 tackles per 90, which can only be beaten by four other players in the Netherlands team, including potential future club teammate, Frenkie de Jong (3), who ranks as the joint highest among the Dutch squad in Qatar. 

 

While Virgil van Dijk has been captain at this tournament, Gakpo would still be considered a leader for sure in the dressing room, given he has already captained his club side, despite his tender years. 

 

Tonight will offer Gakpo his biggest test coming up against an Argentina side, that despite a slight wobble to start the tournament, have looked the real deal, conceding the fewest shots per game (4) of any side at the World Cup and only conceding three goals so far, two of which came in that opening group defeat to Saudi Arabia, while the other was an own goal. 

 

Despite this, Gakpo has proven time and again how clinical he can be against any side and contributing to 30 goals in 24 appearances for PSV this season goes some way to proving that. With goal machine Ruud van Nistelrooy at the PSV helm, this isn't a shock. 

 

Circumstances have therefore been in favour for both Gakpo and United in many regards, and the former hasn’t taken his opportunity lightly, acting as the main man for the Netherlands, even starring as their highest rated player (7.80), playing the part in his audition to the Premier League to a high standard. 

 

Nevertheless, he will have full focus on the looming quarter-final showdown hand, and if he and Depay can link up as well as they have done so far; it may well be enough to see the Dutch into the World Cup semi-finals.

Gakpo using World Cup to play part in Man Utd audition