Just one season into the role of the main striker at Atletico Madrid and it could be curtains for Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian forward might have been the ideal foil for Diego Simeone’s Atletico style of direct and tough football but news reports are coming in that they are willing to listen to offers for the 29-year old striker.
Mario scored just 18 goals in all competitions for the team, a far cry from former strikers like Diego Costa, Radamel Falcao, Sergio Aguero and Fernando Torres, in fact they brought in the former captain of the club, Torres back to the club and his performances though not earth shattering have been slightly better compared to that of Mandzukic. While Atletico are willing to sell, we look at just which club from the Premier League Mandzukic could fit at.
To play for the Red of
Mandzukic’s style of play is based on his physicality and running game; he is a great header of the ball and has the ability to take on any defender and beat him with his frame and physical ability. That would great for him if he is to come to the Premier League. Although he would be a great option for Chelsea, he wouldn’t get regular game time since Diego Costa has the first team striker role all but sealed.
The next options for the Croatian would be Liverpool, the Reds have not had a brilliant season and are in desperate need of a striker who can score goals but be a menace to defenders in the final third. Mandzukic’s pressing would be great for Liverpool’s gameplay and he could partner the fit again Daniel Sturridge next season as well, the pace of Sturridge coupled with the brute strength of Mandzukic could be a lethal strike force in the Premier League.
While Liverpool might not put-in the required money for Mandzukic due to their transfer policy, he would also fit extremely well at their great rivals Manchester United. Mandzukic would be a great replacement for the already gone Radamel Falcao; at least a fitter player and he could take over the role of Robin Van Persie, whose future at the club isn’t confirmed for next season. Mandzukic could play the centre forward’s role for Manchester United and the club has an ethos to attack and would be pumping in the crosses for Mandzukic to head.
The summer might be a tough one for Mandzukic; he would have to contemplate just which club he could move to. There will be a lot of suitors and he would always have a home in the Bundesliga where he did so well for Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, the question remains is, will Mandzukic try out another country in hopes of hitting it big or will be move back to the comforts of Germany?