Andy Cole discusses the future of football: Hottest takes for Premier League

The 2022/2023 English Premier League season is winding down with two matchdays left to play this season.

The title race seems to be nearing its conclusion with champions Manchester City in pole position to win it again at the expense of Arsenal who seemed to be on the cusp of winning the title for the first time in 19 years before a calamitous collapse of late in the hands of teams like West Ham United and Southampton. 

Manchester United are the Premier League’s most successful team but in recent years they have not quite claimed the title.

Ahead of the next season, there has been calls for United to sign a world class striker similar to crosstown rivals' Erling Haaland who has taken the Premier League by storm with over 51 goals in all competitions.

In a recent interview for king casino bonus, Andy Cole says that the strategy Man United used for transfers in the last season has proven to be useful. He encourages other managers to try to apply the strategy to their current budgets and team configuration.

What would be a cheering news for most ardent Nigerian football fans is the recommendation by the United icon for the Red Devils' hierarchy to gun for the Super Eagles striker.

“Harry Kane is 30 years old next season and Victor Osimhen is currently 24 years old and he's already done a lot at his age too.

"Italian football is difficult but there will be no doubts that he can adapt to the Premier League. If Manchester United want to pay £100m for a 24-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to look at it in the long term," Cole reasoned.

"Look at Manchester City, they did not have instant success and look at them now. The players Pep Guardiola brought in were always young and he could still sell them for a decent price if he needed to. 

"That's what I think Manchester United should do because they have been caught too many times bringing in players for ridiculous fees and on ridiculous wages who have run down their contracts, I don't think they can afford to be caught in that position again,” Cole further stated. 

Osimhen recently scored the goal that won the Scudetto for Napoli after a 30-year wait.

The Naples based side once had the great Diego Maradona in their fold but new icons rose in 2023 with the Nigerian one of the leading lights for his club.

Many football technocrats including Thierry Henry believes that Kane would be a better fit than Osimhen due to his (Kane) Premier League experience but that is debatable.

Haaland - and Sergio Agüero before him - both arrived at Manchester City from other European leagues but took to the league like a duck to water.

Osimhen has that attitude, confidence and physicality to thrive in a tough league like the Premier League.

The only big hurdle for supposedly the new owners at United, will be Tottenham Hotspur's willingness to do business with their Premier League rivals.

Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy is a shrewd club owner who is difficult to do transfer business with.

Levy might prefer to see the England captain see out his contract that ends in the summer of 2024 rather than go to a rival club and prospect.

Kane would fervently hope that he becomes 'the chosen one' as he continues to chase the goal scoring record in the Premier League held by Alan Shearer.

The Newcastle United legend scored 260 goals while Kane is only behind Man United legend, Wayne Rooney on 208 Premier League goals.

Osimhen may however have the chance to fulfill the wishes of Cole and be the number 9 that Manchester United are craving for if Kane decides to play his game abroad and sign for either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Another factor worth the consideration is whether Osimhen's game will be best suited at Old Trafford. 

Of all the clubs linked with the Nigerian, are the attacking and midfield players at United who are at the moment starters, notably the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Antony the ones guaranteed to bring out the best in him?

Izuchukwu Michael