Martinelli ticks all requirements to be a top #9 - athleticism, work rate, determination to score, ability to strike the ball on both feet, technical quality to retain and link play, ability to create separation..
The only thing he lack is positional discipline, and that is key.
The only thing he lack is positional discipline, and that is key.
Specifically, he is quite similar to Luis Suárez as @GeorgeV_AFC intelligently pointed out.
He has a similar robustness, low centre of gravity, a dogged approach, and the ability to bob and weave his way through situations 99% of other #9's couldn't dream of doing.
He has a similar robustness, low centre of gravity, a dogged approach, and the ability to bob and weave his way through situations 99% of other #9's couldn't dream of doing.
What made Suárez one of the best #9's of all time, though, was the sheer fact that at Liverpool he was a jack-of-all-trades profile who had license to drift in a split striker system. Here he carried the team creatively and goalscoring wise.
At Barca, he showed 'patience'.
At Barca, he showed 'patience'.
Suárez went from being the main man at Liverpool in all regards to the 'finisher' of moves at Barcelona.
He was intelligent enough to make that adaption, much like how Cristiano did when he changed his play style after leaving United and joining Madrid.
Martinelli must as well.
He was intelligent enough to make that adaption, much like how Cristiano did when he changed his play style after leaving United and joining Madrid.
Martinelli must as well.
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