Arsenal legend Ian Wright has slammed Gary Neville for his predication about new Manchester United signing Benjamin Šeško.
Manchester United finalised the signing of Benjamin Šeško last weekend, bringing in the 22-year-old striker from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £66 million.
He was unveiled to supporters at Old Trafford ahead of the club’s final pre-season match against Fiorentina on Saturday and is set to return to the Theatre of Dreams next weekend.
Arsenal had pursued Šeško earlier in the window before turning their attention to Viktor Gyökeres, a move that has only added to the Slovenian’s determination to make an instant impression in United colours.
After joining up with his new teammates at Carrington on the weekend, Šeško has been in training over the week as his preparations begin for the upcoming fixture.
Ian Wright slams Gary Neville for Šeško prediction
Šeško was inevitably a talking point as Gary Neville and the Stick To Football crew reunited for their podcast this week ahead of the new Premier League season.
Neville suggested that Šeško, along with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, should target a combined total of 35 goals for United’s attack. He argued that if United’s two No.10s contribute significantly, then Šeško scoring around 10 league goals would still represent a decent first season in England.
This prompted Ian Wright to challenge Neville’s logic, pointing out the apparent double standard compared to how Neville reacted when the idea was floated of Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres scoring the same number.
Wright was adamant that Gyökeres is the better striker even though he doesn’t seem confident that he should be outscoring the new United star.
“You look at Šeško and he scored 13 goals in 38 games in the German league (teams in the Bundesliga only play 34 games, Šeško played 33 for RB Leipzig last term), Marmoush left in December (23 January) and had 15,” Wright said.
“That says to me as a striker that he should be scoring more at that level, so you’re coming to United… I think Gyökeres… he’s got such great ability and physical, I think he’s going to be another [level]. He’ll get 15 [goals].
“But that is a worry. 13 for a whole season, that would be a worry for me… what if he [Šeško] got 10 goals [in the Premier League]? What if he got 10? Because you just turned your nose up at me when I mentioned Gyökeres and 10 [goals], and now you’re thinking about Šeško and 10 [goals].”
Neville tried to respond but Wright continued. “I don’t care [that Gyökeres is further in his career],” he added. “It’s Man United and you have to expect it… am I hearing this right?! Why can’t I have [10 goals] for Gyökeres? When I said 10 you turned your nose up like I was smelling poo.”
Neville countered by explaining that Gyökeres would likely have more chances in a superior side, which is why his goal tally expectations are higher than Šeško’s. The exchange quickly moved on after that.
Wright’s point about Šeško is very confusing
It’s difficult to know whether Wright genuinely believes his assessment, or if his stance is coloured by the fact that Šeško once looked set to join Arsenal.
While 13 goals in 30 (not 38) Bundesliga starts isn’t an outstanding return, Šeško still finished last season with 21 goals in all competitions. Across the campaign, he averaged a goal or assist every 120 minutes; numbers that, while not on Erling Haaland’s level, are far more respectable than Wright suggested.
What’s puzzling is that Wright, who would no doubt defend Arsenal against any claims that United are their equals on the pitch, seems unconvinced that Mikel Arteta’s big-money signing should be held to higher expectations than Šeško. The logic feels a little inconsistent.
For their part, United fans will simply be hoping Šeško proves Wright wrong, and his potential debut against Arsenal this weekend offers the ideal stage to do just that.
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