Why Manchester United should move swiftly to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
Manchester United want to bolster their goalkeeping department by signing a new goalkeeper to provide competition for Andre Onana.
The Cameroonian has been inconsistent since joining the club from Inter Milan.
While he ranks fifth for goals prevented in the Premier League this season, he is 17th for save percentage and 16th for saves per 90 minutes.
His erratic nature has led United to explore the transfer market for a new shot-stopper. Second-choice Altay Bayindir has also not provided enough competition for the Cameroon international.
Bayindir may leave Old Trafford this month for more playing time, leaving United short-staffed in the goalkeeping department.
Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has attracted attention from the Red Devils. He joined the Italian club last summer and is enjoying a stellar debut season in the Serie A.
While Suzuki has conceded 34 goals in 19 games this season, he is the reason Parma have not shipped more.
The Japanese is a good ball-playing goalkeeper, ranking first for forward passes and passes to the final third. He is also second for progressive and through passes.
The 22-year-old is unafraid to come off his line to clear danger, making him suitable to play with a high defensive line. He is second for line exits or sweeping roles.
Suzuki is unafraid to challenge the opposition attackers, ranking first for defensive actions, aerial duels and interceptions.
He ranks low in the save percentage and saves per 90-minute metrics, but that is due to the quality of shots he has faced, measured by Post Shot Expected Goals (PSxG).
The Japanese has the highest PSxG and the second-highest PSxG from shots on target in the Italian top-flight this term.
Despite this, he has maintained a positive goal difference after deducting the actual goals he conceded from the PSxG, showing he is a good shot-stopper.
He will not be cheap as he still has four years left on his contract, giving Parma good leverage to ask for a premium price for his services.
Stats from fotmob.com, fbref.com & datamb.football.
Article written by Henry Thornton .