SWOT analysis of Nick Powell – The latest starlet signed by Man Utd

Finally, United are prominently active in the transfer market, signing on one motto: “Value for money” rather than the hype generated around a player with a fancy price tag, a result of overspending by few clubs. The signing of Nick Powell exemplifies the focus on building a team and cultivating a player out from the talent rather than just buying established players. It provides hope for the future and proof of the youthful talent in United’s ranks – now bolstered by the arrival from Crewe along with the likes of Tunnicliffe, Keane twins and Lingard among few others.

The retirement taken initially by Paul Scholes left a gaping hole in the midfield due to the lack of options and it was one area that needed re-enforcement in the transfer window. Plenty of names came up such as Sneijder, Modric and Hazard taking priorities but eventually to the dearth of available transfer money, certain potential players tipped for future establishment were signed. The following has been quoted by various sources:

Alex [Ferguson] convinced Nick [Powell] that if he does well enough early doors, maybe if he goes on as a substitute, like Ronaldo in his early days there, then he would pick him. He said that when Ronaldo first went to United he was fantastic when he went on as a sub and so he picked him and he was equally fantastic when he started a game.

Powell started his career at home-town club, Crewe Alexandra, joining their youth system as a five-year-old and making progress slowly and steadily after his disappointing first season. He swept away with all the honours, scoring 14 goals in 45 appearances for the club. Powell has represented England at under-16, under-17 and Under-18 levels and is surely the next talented younger kid to represent England in the coming years.

Individual Awards

Football League Young Player of the Month – December 2011
League Two Apprentice of the Year award – 2012
Crewe Alexandra Young Player of the Year – 2012
Crewe Alexandra Player of the Year – 2012
Crewe Alexandra Goal of the Season – 2012

So, let’s start the SWOT analysis on this potential exuberant talent.

Strengths:

Classified as an attacking midfielder by name, Powell is also versatile and can play as a striker is tipped to be a blend of Rooney and Scholes by other pundits. If this potential is utilized well, he surely would be an important cog in the Red Devils setup down the line.

His ability and composure on the ball, coupled with technical presence is a joy to behold with the exceptional talent that he possesses at such young age. Training alongside the likes of Giggs and Scholes can surely raise his play notches higher under the guidance of these maestros.

Weakness

Getting accustomed to the physical demands will be a big challenge. Inexperience is the most inescapable and the most noticeable at this level. Playing at the Theater of Dreams at such young level in front of packed crowd of 75,000+ supporters can surely send jitters down the spine as compared with playing for Crewe.

Things like holding the ball up and bringing other people into play are the areas that will particularly need to work on with the demands of the EPL.

Opportunities

Playing in the league cup seems to be the best time when he will be included in the starting line-up for the club at this moment. Performing in the limited chances to play regularly and proving himself in the United first team has to be the primary aim for him at this age. Chances to develop as a sound technical player who can get on the ball and be creative and can set up chances for team-mates and score goals himself, will determine his future at the club.

He has a chance of fulfilling his potential of versatility that he possesses, playing both as aa attacking midfielder and a striker.

Threats

Developing mental toughness will be a huge challenge to play in a reputed team.

The lure and the mere attraction for money than titles shouldn’t spoil this talented lad. He is a gamble and a man surely signed for the future who can be regarded as a successor to our own Ginger Prince – Paul Scholes.

He could be the next Ronaldo or a successor to the great Paul Scholes or may carve out a first Nick Powell itself.

Here’s a compilation of his skills –