Martial didn’t get comfortable on the left, Martial moves up playing on the left

There is a discussion – and it is logical – about the placement of Anthony Martial since Matias Almeida began to trust him and make him permanent in the starting eleven of AEK. But apparently there is no serious reason to question the choice of using him on the left end of the attack.

In more than 300 games for Manchester United, the Frenchman had many, many of his good playing days competing on the wing. He played more than 120 games as a winger, more than 160 as a forward. An (almost) split situation.

In this case, Abubakari Koita should make room for him, who admittedly had a positive presence in this position, but his contribution in goals and assists was relatively low: 2 goals and 1 final pass in 13 games, of course there were also unlucky moments with two posts and excellent interventions from the opposing goalkeepers.

To date, as a starter in just three matches, Martial has one goal and one assist, but there is something even more important as a given that attests to the correctness of his use there: it is the role that helps him to return to standards close to those that characterized his true footballing self. At nearly 29, the Frenchman has every reason to believe he can find it again.

There are fees, there is no reason to cancel them

For the top of the attack, AEK also has two footballers with different, as well as necessary, characteristics. When Levi Garcia is good, as he has been lately, he is the ideal choice for the top of the attack.

With the way the Union want to use him, it is difficult to reconcile Martial, at least at the stage he is now recovering from an 11-month absence from football. For later, when he has found his rhythm, it will be a thought that will make more sense.

Behind Garcia, there is Piero who has proven to be a very capable home goalscorer, with different elements to Garcia, but very useful in games where AEK will need to fill the area. And in general, a highly effective box attacker when he gets the right feed.

In addition, Martial with his ability to pass – after all, in addition to goals, there were many assists he distributed during his tenure in Manchester, almost 50! – he has the opportunity, playing on the left, to be more involved in the team’s game.

To have more contact with the ball, an increased number of collaborations and greater freedom of movement in areas where with his talent and footballing intelligence he can make a difference.

This is the situation today and rightly Almeida has been led to this choice to get the most and best out of the current Martial, while giving him the time and space to gain pace, strength and confidence.

Whether the time will ever come for him to shift to the top of the offense—unless the need arises immediately—is a conversation for the future and certainly not the immediate.