Donyell Malen

[Rudy Can't Fail]

What I like about him is things happen when he's on the pitch. He holds the ball up well, chases down like he really means it, something Watkins has stopped doing - he's been going through the motions but no real intent to scare the keeper or defender. Like Watkins he has some serious pace but seems to be able to play both with his back to goal and running onto balls.

Whilst Malen can play on the right cutting in I do prefer him in the centre forward role. Of course Unai will go with Watkins, the experience counts which is fine but we do need our main striker to get among the goals, whoever plays there. I can't help thinking Unai's first half tactics do nothing to playing to the strengths of Watkins. It must be really frustrating for him, running back to help out defensively or be sandwiched by two central defenders. Then there's the little support he gets from other attacking players, often he'll be isolated in the opposition box with 5 defenders in there.

From what I've seen Malen is more mobile but for either striker to deliver Unai needs to at least give them a fighting chance. Rashford is another that prefers to be facing goal rather than with his back to it, plus I'd have both Watkins and Malen ahead of Rashford as our main striker.

For Brighton I'd like to see Malen on the right, Rashford or first half the more hard working Ramsey on the left with Watkins in the middle. Bailey has had his chance this season and despite a few recent decent displays, it's not enough. Right now he's best from the bench.

[PaulWinch again]

Watkins going through the motions? Come on now. I know you’re not a fan, but blimey.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Watkins going through the motions? Come on now. I know you’re not a fan, but blimey.

Haha! It's something I've noticed over the last month or so, maybe longer. He's stopped chasing down the keeper with any real intent. He'll go there but he may as well not bother, thus the going through the motions. By his own standards he's not had the best of seasons, sometimes when it's not working out for you you just have to keep doing the little things that previously worked.

As I've said before, I think he's mentally exhausted after such a great and long season last year. It's a tough place to be and little you can do other than stick at it. Hopefully the recent break will give him a reboot to finish on a high. It's certainly within him but as I mentioned above, he can't do it all by himself.

[Dante Lavelli]

Next season, I think, we will create FFP headroom with a Watkins, Malen and £30m wonderkid combination. 

It’ll provide the quality and depth we need for the now and options for the future, without the burden of a £200k/week wages (sorry Rashy, I think you’re great but our turnover cannot carry your wages).

[Footy-Vill]

3 or so mins for Malen as a sub merely seeming because Rogers limping .
I wonder what he makes of it all with his lack of game time .

[Footy-Vill]

The 10 mins of VAR does the job what a brilliant goal ! Malen finished it ! That’s just lovely stuff!

so happy for Malen as was feeling for him coming on so late !

This is just brilliant !!

[PaulTheVillan]

Pleased for Malen. He’ll have a big part to play next season

[Ian.]

I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.

[AV84]

I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.

At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.

You obviously rate him even higher than I do. Coming on with 3 minutes left on the clock, Unai giving him endless instructions, I really felt sorry for him. I don't think he needed that goal, I think he deserved it. Maybe he won't have to put in a transfer request afterall.

[Dave]

For those worried, with his goal tonight the worst that he can now be is the new Sanson, in an upgrade from the new Berson.

He's got "the new Samatta" in his sights now. Then on to "the new Gil".

[brontebilly]

I said to my wife he’s going to score tonight. So so pleased for him, he needed that.

You obviously rate him even higher than I do. Coming on with 3 minutes left on the clock, Unai giving him endless instructions, I really felt sorry for him. I don't think he needed that goal, I think he deserved it. Maybe he won't have to put in a transfer request afterall.

That was funny really. Malen was obviously getting a bit frustrated with the amount of instructions Emery was laying on him in the 87th min.

Watkins made a good run at one stage in the left channel and it seemed like Malen couldnt be arsed giving him an option for a cutback.

But that was a cracking finish. When he has been given a proper chance he has looked decent I think.

[paul_e]

I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.

At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.

I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.

[Brazilian Villain]

I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.

It's not just that he's settled quickly, he also looks as if he's really enjoying himself.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think it would be a miracle if Rashford, Asensio, Watkins and Malen were all lining out for us again next season.

At the moment you'd want Asensio and Rashford, but realistically Malen and Watkins is more likely. I don't think that would be awful though, and we'd probably have been very happy with it a few months ago.

I think Asensio is staying, even if only with another loan. I don't think I've ever seen a player look so at home so quickly.

Yup. A bit like Unai, you give them an environment where they are loved and they thrive. It made me laugh he's already worked out his goal celebration with Rogers.