Marcus Rashford would be a dream signing for at Barcelona, says Patrick Kluivert
Posted Thursday, February 07, 2019 by squawka.com
Marcus Rashford would be the perfect successor to Luis Suarez at Barcelona, according to Patrick Kluivert.
Suarez has scored 168 goals in 227 games for the Blaugrana since moving from Liverpool in 2014 but at 32 years old, he himself has accepted that the club will soon sign a younger No.9 to replace him.
Could Rashford be a success at Barcelona? Five key things to know...
1. Since making his breakthrough in 2016, Rashford has scored 42 goals in 153 games for Man Utd.
2. The 21-year-old also has six goals in 31 caps for the England senior team.
3. Rashford struggled under Jose Mourinho, often being fielded out wide and, at times, even at wing-back.
4. Since Solskjaer took the reigns at Old Trafford, Rashford has scored six goals and has taken 2.54 shots on target per 90 minutes in the league during his tenure.
5. Patrick Kluivert believes Rashford could be the 'best' replacement at Barca for Luis Suarez, who is now 32-years-old.
And, in the opinion of Kluivert, who won the 1998/99 La Liga title with Barca, Rashford could be the perfect man to step into Suarez's shoes, with Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also high up on his list.
The Dutchman told Sport360 when asked who would be the dream signing for Barca: "I like Marcus Rashford, a lot.
"It will be really difficult to get him over. But he is a good player.
"I don't see a lot of players who can play in Barcelona. Aubameyang, perhaps he can play.
"There is not a lot. Maybe some players who can play in La Liga, young players.
"But, for me, I think the best one is Marcus Rashford."
Rashford's turnaround since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford dugout has been stark, with the England international hitting 2.54 shots on target per 90 minutes under the Norwegian, compared to just 1.08 under the Portuguese since the start of last season.
Rashford has been deployed in his natural central striker role under Solskjaer and with those extra shots on target, the goals have flowed; the 21-year-old has bagged six Premier League goals since his appointment at a rate of 0.8 per 90 minutes, compared to a paltry 0.34 per 90 minutes under Mourinho from the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign.
"Rashford can shine at the Nou Camp"
Rashford's rise in form under Solskjaer has been remarkable but before that, the boyhood Man Utd fan had struggled to assert himself in the Old Trafford starting XI.
Kluivert, 42, thinks that this, as well as his 'skill and attitude', could seriously contribute to a potential move to Barcelona and future successes with the Spanish champions.
Quizzed on whether the Rashford has what it takes to potentially shine with the Catalan club, Kluivert added: "I think so.
"He has got the skills, the attitude, he's quick, he's fast, he can score goals.
"He is not always in the first XI at Manchester United and maybe he wants to change club. So, why not?"
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