Firmino vs Depay

After it has emerged that Liverpool have stolen Firmino from under the noses of Manchester Utd, I thought I would compare Fimino and Depay and look at which club has really won out here.

First off lets look at their similarities. They are both attackers, albeit Firmino more of an out and out attacker, they are both young. Firmino 23, Depay 21 and they both cost around £30million.

So who is better? Well as always it is not quite as simple as that as each player have different skills unique to them, Firmino notched 10 assists in the last campaign while Depay only got 5. However, Depay scored a whopping 22 goals with Firmino managing just 7. Now straight away this should be a worry for Liverpool who need a 20 goal a season striker. Playing for Hoffenheim, Firmino finished 8th in the league, not dissimilar to Liverpool last season and so it is easy to argue he could produce the same figures or less this season at Liverpool. Is that good enough? Well no, not for a title challenge, but then Liverpool did finish 7th last season with their entire strike force only managing 8 goals. So it's a marked improvement.

He has also scored 4 goals in 9 games for Brazil. Providing he plays every game for Liverpool, this tally would work out at roughly 17 goals. It is a better ratio but actually Liverpool would still like it to be higher. Of course his assist rate suggests he is a team player which is key to any good player and any team (Ronaldo & Messi top the assist chart most seasons).

I feel it also important to point out at this point that Manchester Utd are not lacking in creative attackers or midfielders. Hernandez, coming back from Spain, notched 12 in his worst season at Utd and 19 in his best. Van Persie boasts similar stats as does Wayne Rooney. I can't see what use Utd would have for him should Van Persie stay. Of course question marks do remain over that.

Depay, however, looks a strong acquisition for Utd. He is capable as a striker but better as a winger, I think he completes a well rounded exciting attack force for United. As I have outlined in my article here. He has bags of potential and is already living up to some of that potential, I see no reason why he shouldn't do the same in Manchester. As a winger his assists really should be higher and it may be interesting to see how he progresses if he continues to score so many and assist so few. These are stats that a striker will often acquire as opposed to a winger. So perhaps Utd have got the striker they want already.

As a comparison between the two goes, I am inclined to say Depay has the most potential and I think Utd shouldn't be disheartened that Firmino is at Liverpool. I think it is unlikely he is going to light up the Premier League the way in which Suarez did and he would have only been a good signing for them providing Van Persie moves on.

I think he should be a good signing for Liverpool, a good run in the team should see him score goals and a partnership with Sturridge is a possibility. Attackers are not all about goals and assists however, as it is about how they implement tactics and work for their team. This is what will set the two apart, ultimately. Only those with extremely high levels of talent can get away with slacking. Another edge Depay may have, over Firmino, as he knows the manager he is going to be working for. Perhaps Firmino will struggle with the high pressure Liverpool like to impose.

So to sum up my vote goes to Depay at this point but I think both clubs should be happy. Utd still look strong and by no means needed Firmino and Liverpool look stronger and definitely needed someone. It is not only a good signing but a statement of intent. Let the games begin.