Is Podolski the Left Wing Attacking Solution for United ?

Lukas Podolski is an enigma, similar to the other German frontline striker, Miraslov Klose. Both came into the World Cup on the back of dismal club seasons, with Klose scoring three and Podolski scoring two throughout the year. In the World Cup, they have scored four and three, respectively. While Klose always plays well for Germany, something surely clicks for Podolski at the national level which does not happen at club level.

What can it possibly be ?

Perhaps the answer lies in the way Podolski is deployed at club and national levels. At club level, when he played for Bayern and also when he plays for Cologne, he is made the spearhead, either alone or as a part of a two-man strike force.

In either case, he has flopped badly.

For two consecutive World Cups now, Podolski has been played as an attacking left winger, along with being given the license to cut in towards goal rather than hugging the touchline to deliver crosses. His goals have come in the same manner, when he has been found by teammates in ideal shooting positions in or around the penalty box.

He is, perhaps, the solution which United need on that troublesome left wing. Since United now play the 4-5-1 (or the 4-3-3, depending on the way it is perceived) predominantly, Podolski can be a dangerous weapon at Old Trafford.

Allow me to elaborate.

Podolski is, first and foremost, a striker. Crossing is not one of his strengths, and never has been. His strengths are his pace and his finishing, even though that lets him down sometimes. However, his inability to cross and cut in to attempt shots on target, are the pivot on which United's attack down the left wing can hinge upon.

This is because United's left back is probably the world's most balanced defender in that position—a certain Patrice Evra. He loves to get forward to good effect, and his crosses, if supplied from proper positions and angles, are always a threat (Scholes' goal in the Manchester derby was the result of a pin-point cross from the left back).

Should Podolski be deployed on the left wing, whenever he will cut in, he will drag the opposing full back along, since the defense will have to narrow down the spaces through which the German striker can attempt a shot on target. This will allow Evra to have adequate space and time to deliver those telling crosses of his, and yet, this combination is still a double-edged sword for the opposition.

If the opposing full back decides to remain on the wing to prevent Evra's overlapping run, he is allowing Podolski a relatively free run towards his goal, unless another defender or a midfielder picks him up. This is a dangerous ploy as well, because Podolski's strength is long range shooting. He has never been a poacher, and all of his shots pack a tremendous amount of power and pace in them.

Combine these with his accuracy of targeting the corners of the goal, and suddenly, United's goal threat at least doubles.

This transfer could be beneficial for all parties involved.

United need a striker to support Rooney, as well as a player who can be the replacement for Giggs on the left wing. While Nani has suitably progressed, even he is liable to cutting in rather than hugging the touchline. And besides, he is way more effective on the right. So, it makes sense to buy a player who cuts in, but does so much more effectively.

With this single transfer, two problems can be addressed through the signing of a single player, without disrupting United's current system.

Cologne are in somewhat difficult financial conditions, due to the lack of European football this upcoming season (they only finished 13th in the Bundesliga). There are not many suitors for Podolski right now, and so, a bid in the region of 15-18million GBP should certainly be deemed enough for the transfer.

Podolski himself prefers playing on the left wing position.

He has to play the spearhead at Cologne due to a distinct lack of attacking options up front, and he would be much happier in a team which allows him to play his natural position and game. Even though Cologne is his childhood club, he has moved once to Bayern, and he might be open to a move again. Also, due to the lack of experienced options for the left wing (Nani and Obertan are both young), Podolski's playing time in the starting XI would be quite high.

Add to all of these favourable factors the point that he is 26 now, and suddenly, the deal starts looking like an extreme no-brainer for United. It is another matter, though, if Sir Alex will see "value" in the player, even at the estimated price point.

Keeping my fingers crossed for this one.