.Brazil has always produced wingers that have dazzled at the biggest stages of football. The likes of Raphinha, Vinicius Jr. and Gabrielle Martinelli look ready to take the mantle up from Neymar as the lead Brazilian winger in world football. Antony from Ajax is one such winger too. The 22 year old winger has become part of the next generation of Brazilian wingers who look set to become world class players.
Antony Matheus Dos Santos or Antony hails from the town of Osasco a city which looks like the frames of the famous movie the City of God. Which should give you the idea of the adversities the younger winger must have faced in his childhood. But nonetheless the winger thrived to reach his potential. Ever since landing in Europe has exploded into one of the most consistent and exciting wingers on the Continent.
Se existem 2 jogadores que Erik ten Hag deseja carregar consigo para Manchester, eles são Timber e Antony. Ten Hag está encantado com a qualidade e o potencial dos dois e acredita-se que Erik fará de tudo pra levá-los para Old Trafford
📰 @telegraaf🎖️ via @VoetbalPrimeur pic.twitter.com/lZkBe8662f
— Red Army Brasil (@RedArmyBrasil) April 26, 2022
His skill, flair and tenacity on the ball marks him out as an archetypal winger from the Selecao. Now that Erik Ten Hag has been confirmed as the manager for Manchester United next season, it seems the Dutch coach wants to take some of his players from Ajax to Old Trafford.
Antony to @ESPNnl: “I can’t look in the future. First I want to win big trophies here at Ajax and the World Cup is coming too.. which is the dream of every player. Just like playing in the Premier League, the best league there is in my eyes.” pic.twitter.com/R4abWVrsZX
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 26, 2021
Antony is one of those players now being linked to Manchester United. Reports of Jurrien Timber also heading to Old Trafford along with Antony and Ten Hag have surfaced but we will be concentrating on the diminutive winger for now.
How good is Antony?
Antony moved to the Eredivisie from his native Brazil in the 2020 summer window from Sao Paulo. Since his arrival in the Netherlands he has become a nuisance for defenders in the league. The Champions League, where he has truly caught the eye of Europe’s elite clubs with some breathtaking performances.
A look at his stats over the last 365 days shows the world class potential the 5 foot 7 inch winger possesses. In 30 league and Champions league appearances combined the Brazilian winger has scored 10 and assisted a further 9 goals. His expected goals and assist numbers per 90 minutes already sit at a world class 0.6 the same as established wingers such as Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez. A deeper dive into his stats makes his potential even more evident.
Antony attempts 55 passes a game with a 78% accuracy very similar to that of Sadio Mane who only completes 38 passes a game with the saem accuracy. This shows that the winger likes to be involved in play and be active when his team is in possession.
His progressive numbers for a 22 year old are also extremely promising. He completes 5.3 progressive passes a game and with a ludacris 11.6 progressive carries a game, his skill with the ball makes essential to the way this Ajax side plays. The Brazilian winger is one of the most attacking progressors of the ball at the Dutch giants.
He completes an average 1.6 dribbles a game which is bound to go up as his experience does. Much like Brazilian wingers before him he is blessed with extremely quick feet and is rapid at full tilt. His pace and trickery can stretch defences.
I’ve seen enough.
Bring at Antony to the theatrepic.twitter.com/a3D5r1c4w5
— 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘣⚡ (@Caleb_Mufc) April 22, 2022
Antony is also adept at finding space in attacking areas. He receives 12.2 progressive passes a game. His ability to find space in the opposition penalty box is also an excellent asset. He receives 6.6 passes in the attacking penalty box. It ranks him in the top seven percent of wingers in the above mentioned metrics.
The Ajax number 11 takes 4 shots a game with 1.5 shots on target per game from the right wing. He ranks in the top one percent for wingers in this metric. Antony passes about 2.8 times into the opposition’s penalty box, ranking him in the top two percent of wingers for this metric.
What makes Antony special?
The Brazilian is an inventive and intelligent player. His speed, acceleration , 1 on 1 ability and crossing is exceptional. He is a little too left footed but his endeavour and tenacity allows him to clean up his own mess or come up with a creative solution for problems.
He loves receiving the ball either on the right touch line or the right half space from where he can dribble inside to float crosses to the far post or shoot with his left. He also has shown evidence of being a classic winger who runs to the by line for a cut back into the centre of the box.
His ability on the ball ,guile and swagger is reminiscent of the great Arjen Robben. The Dutch winger is the greatest left footed right winger of all time.
Antony to Manchester United?
After Erik Ten Hag was confirmed as the next Manchester United manager there were bound to be rumours surrounding players from his current Ajax team to the Red Devils. Antony would surely fix a lot of the problems Manchester United are facing right now. Especially since a mass exodus seemingly on the cards at Old Trafford.
Timber’s versatility (CB/RB) would be an asset for Man Utd while Sancho LW – Antony RW would make sense 🇧🇷🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/KFaYvHVNgR
— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) April 26, 2022
Ralf Ragnick has been vocal about the issues about the playing personnel at United. Antony would add the much needed injection of fresh blood and ideas at Manchester United.
Antony could cost Manchester United anything around 40 million Euros which will be a wise investment by the Red Devils. He would easily pip Elanga for a starting spot in the team. He would provide a similar threat to that of Sancho on the opposite wing.
