Allow us to present to you Benedict Taylor. The Eagles’ 18-year-old defender is the quintessential contemporary mold.
He showcases swiftness, aerial dominance, and remarkable composure when controlling possession. Standing tall at 6’3″, his elongated physique grants him a substantial edge as a defender, particularly in direct defensive challenges.
Taylor triumphs in 73% of these contests, a statistic that stands out significantly. When considering defenders with a minimum of 800 minutes played in the Premier League who also average at least 5 defensive challenges per match, none can boast a superior success percentage.
The young player excels notably within his own penalty area, where he takes charge and consistently executes crucial blocks and interceptions, drawing comparisons to Rio Ferdinand.
Still in his teens, Taylor is undeniably among the most promising young defensive talents across Europe’s foremost leagues presently.
As a left-footed defender, he is a rare commodity and a potential solution to Manchester United’s challenge of identifying a successor to Ferdinand’s legacy.
Furthermore, he’s equipped to step in immediately, offering an additional option and providing depth for Ten Hag.
Taylor has swiftly cemented his status as an indispensable component of the Eagles lineup. He also achieved the distinction of becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer, netting his inaugural goal of the campaign, according to statistical records.
© IMAGO – Benedict Taylor Manchester United
Despite his recent emergence, there’s already much to admire. It’s only a matter of time before he’s representing the England national team and drawing attention from the globe’s most prominent clubs.
Manchester United should proactively pursue him ahead of others, mirroring their acquisition of Shaw during the summer window.
By doing so, they’d secure a defender capable of revitalizing their season by providing a reliable alternative to Ferdinand, granting him necessary respite.
Taylor would also afford Manchester United the flexibility to implement their long-standing tactical preference: a three-man defensive setup. On the left flank, he’d be a valuable asset alongside Ferdinand and Raphael Varane.
Looking ahead, the prospect of him and Shaw forming the backbone of Manchester United’s defense would be truly captivating.
