Benjamin Sesko Is a Scorer of Great Goals – Can Man Utd Turn Him into a Great Goalscorer?

← Back

 

Manchester United are signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £65m plus add-ons. We analyze his promising numbers and the all-round threat he will bring to Old Trafford.

The transfer that has dominated headlines this summer should come as little surprise to those who have followed Benjamin Sesko's rapid development. Nearly two meters tall, lightning quick, and possessing a thunderbolt shot, the Slovenian striker appears tailor-made for Premier League football. His physical attributes suggest the transition to England's demanding top flight should pose minimal challenges.

After Arsenal explored signing him earlier this summer before ultimately choosing the more experienced Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, Manchester United have moved decisively to secure Sesko's signature ahead of Newcastle United. While Arsenal opted for immediate impact with the 27-year-old Gyökeres, United are betting on Sesko's vast potential despite his relative youth at 22.

The Slovenia international brings significant experience despite his age, having developed considerably during his two seasons at RB Leipzig following his 2023 move from Red Bull Salzburg. His evolution from promising prospect to genuine transfer target for Europe's elite reflects both his natural talent and tactical maturation.

The Evolution of a Modern Striker

Sesko's development trajectory at Leipzig reveals fascinating insights into his potential ceiling. His debut Bundesliga season suggested the emergence of a clinical goalscoring machine, posting an impressive 0.82 goals per 90 minutes—third-best in the league behind only Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy (both 1.14).

His initial approach was refreshingly direct. Thirteen of his 14 Bundesliga goals came from inside the penalty area, while he ranked fourth league-wide for the proportion of on-ball actions (17%) occurring in the opposition box among players with 500+ touches. This suggested a striker with excellent positional instincts and clinical finishing ability.

However, last season revealed additional dimensions to his game. Sesko began dropping deeper to contribute to Leipzig's build-up play, touching the ball more frequently overall but less often in dangerous areas. His proportion of touches in the opposition box dropped dramatically to 9.7%, placing him 39th in this metric.

This tactical evolution came with trade-offs. He shot less frequently from inside the box (2.4 per 90 down to 1.5 per 90) and scored fewer close-range goals. Among players with 12+ Bundesliga goals in 2024-25, only Bayern Munich's Michael Olise (66.7%) scored a lower proportion from inside the box than Sesko (76.9%). He also took the lowest proportion of shots from inside the penalty area (63.2%) among this elite group.

Spectacular but Sustainable?

Sesko's ability to score spectacular goals from distance has become his calling card. His technique when striking the ball is exceptional, capable of finding the net with remarkable variety—across two Leipzig seasons, his 25 non-penalty goals were split between right foot (13), left foot (four), and head (eight).

Many of his goals follow explosive movement, often featuring bursts of pace that leave defenders trailing. Official Bundesliga data shows he recorded the 26th-fastest top speed last season at 35.7 km/h, just 1.5 km/h slower than the league's fastest player and roughly equivalent to Gabriel Martinelli's Premier League pace.

While these long-range strikes are visually stunning, they raise sustainability questions. In 2023-24, Sesko overperformed his non-penalty expected goals by +6.3—the highest margin in the Bundesliga. Last season, this overperformance decreased to +2.7, still impressive but more aligned with realistic expectations.

Focusing solely on non-penalty shots from inside the box provides clearer insight into his finishing ability. Last season, Sesko scored eight goals from penalty area shots worth 6.47 expected goals, an overperformance of 1.53 ranking 33rd league-wide. While indicating above-average finishing, it also highlights limited high-quality chances created.

The Positioning Challenge

Perhaps Sesko's most significant development area lies in his positioning and movement. His 0.31 non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes last season matched Joshua Zirkzee's Premier League output—a concerning comparison given persistent fan criticism of Zirkzee's goal threat.

This statistic suggests Sesko isn't consistently finding dangerous positions, potentially limiting his impact regardless of finishing quality. However, tactical context matters significantly. At Leipzig, he often played as part of a front two, sharing goalscoring responsibilities. At United, operating as a lone striker in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system could concentrate more scoring opportunities in his direction.

His goalscoring patterns also reveal inconsistency typical of young strikers. In 2023-24, he scored seven goals in seven consecutive matches, becoming the youngest player since Rudi Völler (1982-83) to achieve this feat. However, he also endured barren spells, including stretches of three goals in 11 games and one goal in 10 matches.

United's Strategic Context

Manchester United's approach differs markedly from Arsenal's immediate requirements. Unlike the Gunners, who needed a finished product to complement their title ambitions, United can afford to invest in Sesko's development while building toward future success.

The club has already strengthened their attacking options significantly this summer with Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Cunha, despite operating primarily from the left, emerged as Wolves' primary goal threat with 15 Premier League strikes. Mbeumo's work rate and movement—leading the league with 418 runs in behind—could complement Sesko's tendency to drop deep.

These signings reduce immediate pressure on Sesko to deliver 20 goals in his debut season. The presence of proven Premier League goalscorers in wide positions should create space and opportunities for the young striker to develop his all-round game.

The Haaland Comparison

Inevitable comparisons with Erling Haaland stem from similar physical profiles and developmental paths through Red Bull's system. While 2023-24 suggested Sesko might develop Haaland's single-minded goalscoring focus, his recent evolution indicates a more varied skill set.

This diversification shouldn't be viewed negatively. Modern football increasingly demands versatile forwards capable of contributing beyond pure goalscoring. Sesko's willingness to drop deep, link play, and create for teammates could prove valuable in Amorim's tactical system.

Future Trajectory

United's investment represents a calculated gamble on potential rather than proven production. Sesko possesses the physical tools, technical ability, and football intelligence to become a elite striker, but questions remain about consistency and positioning.

The key challenge lies in channeling his spectacular goal-scoring ability into more frequent, sustainable production. Can United's coaching staff help him find dangerous positions more consistently while maintaining his unique ability to score from anywhere on the pitch?

Success will ultimately depend on whether Old Trafford can transform a scorer of great goals into a great goalscorer—someone who combines spectacular ability with the relentless efficiency required at the highest level.

For a club rebuilding its identity and planning for sustained success rather than immediate gratification, Benjamin Sesko represents exactly the type of calculated risk worth taking.

---

Thanks to Stats Perform for data and photos.

Moreinformation:24live.com