Dalot's tremendous form sees huge rise in value
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 2 Oct 2023 14:53 BST
- 3 min read
Diogo Dalot has seen a steep rise in his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) over this year under the coaching of Erik ten Hag.
The wingback has become a hugely reliable outlet for Ten Hag, pitching in at left-back and right-back.
The Portugal international has been filling in mostly at right-back following the injury to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, becoming a solid foundation for the side’s attack and defence.
In Man Utd’s Carabao Cup third-round match with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford last Tuesday night, Sofyan Amrabat, on his first start for the club, was positioned at left-back, where he drifted inside.
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But Dalot is exhibiting all the characteristics of a contemporary full-back in the modern game, too, showcasing the ability to shift infield and enhance the midfield's presence when in possession, as was the case against Palace. The strategy of utilising inverted full-backs has become increasingly prevalent in today's game, made popular by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Dalot is showing he is fully subscribed to Ten Hag’s thinking and preferred approach, and therefore a perfect cog in his project.
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Dalot's ETV increase
Dalot's ETV was below €10million before the new year, but his guile and aptitude have seen that increase significantly. The former AC Milan player is now boasting an ETV of €29.2m, meaning that his rating has tripled this year alone.
Dalot admitted there had been something of a siege mentality within the squad after a period of intense media scrutiny amid the recent slump in form for Man Utd. "We are playing for Manchester United and we have to be consistent in every game," said Diogo to the club’s in-house media.
"They [the media] will kill you in every direction if you don’t win games. And you could see in these last couple of weeks, it was another killing machine against us. But we fought hard.
"When we get into Carrington, the noise stays outside and we work hard. And I think we were rewarded today with these three points. But we want to keep going."
