Photo credit: YouTube
Rio Ferdinand has cautioned Manchester United and Arsenal against signing Viktor Gyokeres, suggesting he would struggle in the Premier League.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has issued a stern warning to Manchester United and Arsenal over their interest in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres. Ferdinand believes that the £63 million-rated Swedish international would struggle to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League and ultimately flop.
Gyokeres has been in sensational form for Sporting Lisbon, scoring an impressive 82 goals in 90 games over the past two seasons. His prolific goal-scoring record has caught the attention of several top clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, who are both in need of bolstering their attacking options.
However, Ferdinand is not convinced that Gyokeres is the right fit for the Premier League. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand expressed his doubts about the striker’s ability to handle the physicality of English football. He mentioned that he had watched Gyokeres closely on three occasions and did not see the qualities needed to succeed in the Premier League.

Ferdinand’s concerns are primarily centered around Gyokeres’ physicality. He believes that the striker would struggle to cope with the physical challenges posed by Premier League defenders. Ferdinand drew comparisons to Timo Werner, who faced similar issues when he first joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig. Werner struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, and Ferdinand fears that Gyokeres could face a similar fate.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal are in desperate need of a reliable goal-scorer. Manchester United’s current forwards, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee, have failed to deliver the required goals, while Arsenal’s decision not to sign a new striker during the January transfer window has backfired. Despite these needs, Ferdinand insists that Gyokeres is not the solution for either club.
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