MARTIAL AND WILLIAN SWAP (would manchester united or chelsea benefit more?)

Willian vs Martial: Would Chelsea or Manchester United get better end of £75m swap?

It is no secret that both Willian and Anthony Martial are up for grabs this summer, providing the price and the buying club are right. Chelsea and Manchester United both want around £75million for their men, and neither are keen to sell to a domestic rival.


Yet there might be a solution that suits all parties, as reports emerged last week that the clubs are considering a straight swap deal.

If that sensational deal comes to pass before Thursday’s 5pm transfer deadline, which club would get the better end of the deal? Sportsmail takes a look at what each player has to offer, and how they compare…

STRENGTH

WILLIAN: If Jose Mourinho were able to hand-craft his ideal winger, the result would be something like Willian. He is fast, skilful, direct and possesses a rocket shot – witness his thunderbolts against Barcelona in the Champions League, and any of his many brilliant goals from free-kicks. Oh, and he works, works, works for his team, pressing and tackling from the front.

MARTIAL: To see Martial at his very best, look no further than his debut against Liverpool in 2015. Shortly after becoming the world’s most expensive teenager, at £36million, the then 19-year-old put his opponents on their heels with his pace and direct running, bamboozled them with his quick feet, and finished clinically into the bottom corner.


Weaknesses

WILLIAN: For a player of such talent, Willian’s goal return has never been great. Twenty five goals in 166 Premier League games for Chelsea - one goal every 6.64 games – is the sort of strike rate that would see other wide forwards, such as Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck, pilloried. His 20 assists also speaks of an unsatisfying end product. £75m is a lot of money for a player who turns 30 this week too.

MARTIAL: The Frenchman is blessed with prodigious talent, of that there is no doubt. But the question marks – many of which have been raised by Mourinho – remain over his work-rate and attitude. Although Mourinho’s treatment of Martial’s family situation this summer has been bizarre to say the least, United’s manager will get more understanding from Old Trafford regulars who have been frustrated by the slumped shoulders and resigned air of a player not shy to show his unhappiness with being asked to put a shift in on the wing.


Premier League record

WILLIAN: As highlighted above, Willian’s goals and assists return is nothing special for a £75m player. The bald statistics say he only scores every 410 minutes and is involved in a goal every 228 minutes – but they also show his ability to impact in other ways. His dribbling puts opponents on the back foot – his dribble success rate of 61.4 per cent is high – and can be the important first step in breaking down an opposing back line. Also his ability to win the ball high up the pitch (165 tackles in total) is crucial for starting counter-attacks. Two league-winner’s medals do not lie, and he has been a key cog in both successful Chelsea sides.

MARTIAL: Mixed. Under Louis van Gaal Martial showed such promise; under Mourinho he has drifted to the sidelines. Twenty four goals in 86 games – one every 3.5 games – is very reasonable for a 22-year-old forward – but Martial possesses more talent than your average youngster and the undeniable truth is that he has not made the most of his gifts – yet. United have not come close to the title in his time at the club and will only do so if he –and the likes of Marcus Rashford – improve. No goals in his final 13 games of last season speaks volumes. His ability to take his man on seems to have got worse, not better, and a dribble success rate of 43.2 per cent is low for a wide, fast forward.

International record

WILLIAN: Firmly established in the Brazil starting XI, his direct style combined so well with Neymar’s flamboyance and Philippe Coutinho’s artistry before Belgium struck a surprise blow in the quarter-finals.


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