For Tahith Chong, the start to the 2019/20 season has been a real learning curve. After a stunning pre-season tour, the fluffy-haired Dutchman was a regular within the first-team squad.
Chong started a couple of games while largely remaining a substitute option. However, his performances left plenty to be desired. Most notably, he looked a little lightweight when in a physical one-on-one battle, though his on-ball production certainly needs to improve, too.
Perhaps in time, he’ll get there at senior level, though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the decision to move Chong back down to the U23s setup.
Immediately, the attacker got people talking again and last night, Chongy showed the world why he’s far too good for this level. The Dutchman contributed directly to all four goals for United’s U23s against Middlesbrough.
He won the free-kick for the opener, assisted the second, scored a deflected cross for the third and rounded it off with an excellent goal to complete his brace.
The talented 19-year-old is definitely playing his way back into the first-team after the stunning U23s display. At the very least, he’s giving the Baby Faced Assassin something to think about.
With Chong having just over six months left on his current deal, United have an immediate decision to make. The winger will be free to talk to overseas clubs about potentially signing a pre-contractual agreement in January, before leaving on a free transfer next summer.
Solskjaer either has to give him another opportunity before the turn of the year, or apparent interest from Juventus could become a reality more than a Paul Pogba-esque pipedream right now…
For me, a loan move would have been ideal but his contract situation makes that much tougher. I feel as though Chong needs six months playing week-in-week-out football and that will either make or break it for him.
United’s hand has been forced, perhaps we’ll see him against Colchester in the Carabao Cup next month, but he has to take that chance – which would make the decision even tougher for Solskjaer to make.
Be the first to comment