IVAN RAKITIC IS RED HOT PROPERTY

D. Ray Morton, 2nd June 2014.

Ivan Rakitic was the star of Sevilla's Europa League triumph and was named player of the competition

Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic may be one of European football's hottest properties right now. Having guided his side to Europa League glory, the Croatian international is on the radar of several major clubs in need of a creative midfield presence. Rakitic offers the characteristics of a classic Balkan playmaker in spades. His playing style has been compared to legendary schemers like Zvonimir Boban and Dragan Stojkovic. According to his father, Luka, the top three Spanish clubs of Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid are hot on his trail and hinted that Barça may be his preferred choice should an offer materialise.

His buyout clause comes to about €40m though it is believed that his contract features a reduction of that price were an offer made by a "big club" which could mean reducing his cost to about €25m. With Cesc Fabregas being put up for sale and Xavi now 34 years old, Barcelona will be looking for quality to add to their midfield options. Atlético's Koke may be their number one choice but the Croat would be a fine alternative. Rakitic has a good head on his shoulders, genuinely loves the game and would fit into Barça's possession-based, communal philosophy. This is a guy who owns a minor Swiss club, NK Pajde (Croatian for "Buddies"), as a hobby such is his passion for football.

Many eyes will be on his exploits at this month's World Cup. His Croatian midfield link-up with Luka Modric should keep Brazil on their toes in the tournament's opening game on June 12th. He brings a lot to the table tactically. He can play anywhere across the midfield, in the hole or even as a second striker. He is deadly from long range, retains the ball very well and is highly technical. Last season, in 41 starts, he scored 13 goals and made 12 assists at club level between league and European appearances. At 26 years of age, he is just coming into his prime and, given the right push, can be one of the Europe's best playmakers in the years to come.

Premier League clubs will cast glances at him but there does not seem to be a realistic deal to be made there. Chelsea are already stacked full of attacking midfielders and a manager that distrusts players without defensive priorities as mentioned here in yesterday's article in regards to Eden Hazard. Though Rakitic is versatile and adaptable, he is not exactly a player that excels in the nitty-gritty side of things. Very much an artist as opposed to a destroyer. Manchester City can offer riches but this alone would not interest Rakitic one would think. The allure of a Barcelona or a Real Madrid cannot be matched by Sheik Mansour's wheelbarrows full of cash.

MATA SIGNING MORE A DECOY THAN A COUP

David Moyes has often repeated the need for the Premier League champions to rebuild this year despite inheriting a squad that very easily cruised to the title last season. Juan Mata represents the first part of that rebuilding process, their only other prior signing of note being Marouane Fellaini who could easily be crowned the worst transfer of the season by the time all is said and done.

Talented, but will he ever gain the legendary status of a Keane or Scholes?

Mata represents a marriage of convenience to United. Clearly not rated by Jose Mourinho, his quick transfer to Manchester is something we might see a lot more of in years to come. Super-rich clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City will build strong squads full of quality players with different sets of attributes in order to give themselves the variety and rotation potential needed to challenge on all fronts. Occasionally, a player like Mata will slip through the cracks. Clearly talented but perhaps not talented enough to be deemed unsellable by Mourinho, United have acquired an intelligent attacking midfielder who can play in a variety of positions but not exactly the positions they need strengthening in right now.

The major problems remain in the heart of defence with veterans Nemaja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand declining rapidly whilst the trio of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones still carry big question marks with them. Left-back is another problem area with Patrice Evra's downturn and the central midfield conundrum still exists years after United should have signed a world class enforcer or pass-master to ease their fans' yearnings for the likes of a new Roy Keane or a Paul Scholes.

What might be of higher concern for United fans is their style of play this season. It is easy to pick apart personnel when the team is not playing well in general but good morale and confidence can make typically useful players seem even more functional and effective. A player like Michael Carrick can appear mediocre when the team is struggling but last season, many United fans argued that he was their unsung hero. Alex Ferguson had this huge motivational aura thanks to decades of collecting trophies. Moyes does not have this aura about him so any success he might have will be built on patience and assembling better players. Whether he can offer anything tactically is a big if. Moyes' teams at Everton could be threatening at times but they often had an agricultural feel about them and may have been seeking away draws, an attitude which just won't do at a club as huge and as ambitious as Manchester United. There is a lot of work to be done but Moyes has a lot of time to get this right. Regardless of where they finish this season, expect the red-haired Scot to be in the dug-out at the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign. If they get off to a bad start, only then can the #MoyesOut brigade expect to get what they want.

D. Ray Morton, 30 Jan 2014