Life as a football manager sounds easy. Despite the stick they get on match days, part of their job is to fly around the world to watch footballers who will be bought with other people’s money. David Moyes has been on a scouting trip of his own according to reports, to watch a trio of players in Portugal. One of those was Jackson Martinez, who plays up front for Porto. But who is he, and what could he offer?
Although not the speediest of players, Martinez is a natural born goalscorer and has the statistics to prove it. This season he has scored 27 goals in his 46 games. Last season he managed 31 in 40, and the season prior to that, while playing for Chiapas, he scored 20 in 41.
The 27-year-old loves to make space for himself and can finish from any angle on the pitch. He’s not anything to shout about in the air, but his positioning allows him to beat the majority of centre-backs he goes up against.
He can also create chances, which not all forward can do, and that would be hugely beneficial for United.
He is able to drop into the midfield to make something happen, but he is at his best when inside the opposition 18-yard-box.
This clip below will show you what I mean.
Martinez is a former Chelsea target and a Colombia international.