On the day that ex Man Utd player and a 80 million pound Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled in front of thousands of Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu, a certain unknown French youngster by the name of Gabriel Obertan stole a little of his limelight with soccer pundits.
Obertan incidentally should be a Man Utd player next season if the French outfit Bordeaux's president is to believed. Obertan's potential is surprisingly similar to Cristiano Ronaldo on many fronts. He packs a wicked stepover, is predominantly right-footed, loaded with good pace and tricks to be played effectively on either wing, and uncannily, is as skinny as Ronaldo when he first joined Man Utd.
Obertan looked like a whiter Lewis Hamilton (the famous F1 driver) and a skinnier and raw player's version of the Ronaldo we know now. He has the knack of cutting in from the left and unleashing a right footed shot at goal... a move made famous by his countryman Thierry Henry. His best position seems to be that of a winger to be played in a 4-3-3 formation.
Whether Obertan is going to be as great as Ronaldo, I really don't know. But Sir Alex must have seen something in him to have signed him on. However, lets remember that Carrington is but only a good ground for grooming potential youngsters. A lot of the other success factors depend on the player's character and belief in himself. Not all players who get signed on to Man Utd turn out to be world beaters and superstars. One do not need to think far to remember flops like David Bellion, Quinton Fortune or World Cup winning Brazilian Kleberson.
But what is certain now is that Man Utd is on a mad rush for young signings these days. Obertan is only 20 years of age. Man Utd has not too long ago signed a 17 year old Brazilian by the name of Dodo, and 15 year old Sean Mcginty from Charlton FC, both defenders. The squad is packed with international young talent, Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, midfield dynamo Rodrigo Possebon who has joined Braga on loan, Serbian pair Tosic and Ljajic, younger brother of Jonny Evans... Corry Evans and most notably the young duo that raised eyebrows last season, Welbeck and Macheda.
I sense that Man Utd is keeping to a youth policy here, unearthing gems that could go on to become world class players, like how Ronaldo was uncovered and developed. These players ultimately could either become fringe players in the reserves or major superstars. Ultimately, it takes patience to see young players develop and you've got to praise the management of Man Utd for sticking to a youth mantra. Often times, its easier to buy talent for millions and millions of dollars than grooming a talent for a good four to five years. Real Madrid is the opposite of Man Utd in that aspect.
The strength of a football club is determined not by its current first team but the team to which it is going to field in 2 years' time. And all Man Utd fans can be confident to suggest that in two years from now, the club will still be challenging for Championship honors with the youth policy that is in place now. This is the mantra to longevity and sustained success in club football. There is no shortcut to building a era of greatness.
Real Madrid president Perez needs only to study Man Utd to understand that.
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