Jim Thwaites: Manchester United’s Very Own Thiago Alcântara

Back in the summer of 2013, it was widely reported that Thiago Alcântara came incredibly close to joining Manchester United from Barcelona for a fee in the region of €20 million. David de Gea was particularly public and vocal about his desire for his fellow countryman to join the Red Devils, but the move didn’t materialise.

Depending on who you ask, either Thiago didn’t want to join Manchester United in the end or, according to the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Guillem Balagué, new United manager David Moyes rejected the opportunity to acquire the Spaniard, instead signing his former Everton star Marouane Fellaini.

Thiago would end up joining Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and the rest is history. This has been the story of Manchester United for over a decade, resulting in countless transfer mistakes. However, their flourishing academy prospects provide genuine hope, and perhaps none more so than a boy in the mould of one Thiago Alcântara himself: Jim Thwaites.

At just 17 years old, Thwaites has already participated in first team training on a number of occasions. Evidently, many figures within the club believe that the teenager possesses a very bright future and it’s easy to see why. He’s a key player for United’s U18 side, whilst also having appeared for the U21 team despite his young age and slender frame.

When considering the fact that Jim Thwaites is fairly short too, one might think his stature would be a major hinderance, but he uses it to his advantage. His low centre of gravity allows to shield larger opponents and turn on a sixpence.

SOURCE: Hakzcomps

The above clip is emblematic of the player that Jim Thwaites is. He uses his body to hold off a large defender, quickly turns away from pressure and plays an inch perfect diagonal pass to a teammate. What stands out is his high footballing IQ, which offsets many of his physical limitations. Of course, he will need to add extra weight and muscle as he approaches the first team, but his intelligence and mobility allow him to thrive against physically superior opponents.

Much like Thiago Alcântara himself, Jim Thwaites can operate as both a tempo controller in deeper zones and a chance creator in advanced areas. His ability to turn away from opponents in all areas of the pitch makes him highly effective as an all-phase midfielder; a role reserved for a special group of footballers, such as Rodri, Declan Rice, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.

SOURCE: Hakzcomps

Thwaites possesses an incredible first touch, evading defenders effortlessly. His constant scanning ensures that he’s always aware of who and what is around him and calibrates his decisions rapidly. This is a testament to his IQ as a footballer and the importance of anticipating situations before they happen.

Scanning is arguably the most important trait for a midfielder to have, especially with the aggressive, high-pressing nature of modern football, as players much have a 360 degree image of the scene around them.

This plays a significant role in Thwaites’ press-resistance. Particularly when deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, being press-resistant is a possession-based system is a non-negotiable asset. The United starlet is near-impossible to press, once more harkening back to his low centre of gravity, impressive balance and remarkable agility.

SOURCE: Hakzcomps

Thwaites is able to spin away from opposing players with ease and use his elegant ball-carrying to glide forward. He’s always thinking progressively when he has the ball, but doesn’t sacrifice ball security to do so. This temperament and “pausa” is indispensable in his role and will serve him incredibly well as he grows as a footballer. His technical security is crucial, but it’s also enhanced by his unshakable composure and willingness to always show for the ball in build-up.

Speaking of Jim Thwaites’ technical ability, he is a fantastic ball-striker. His virtually flawless technique makes him an elite set-piece taker, particularly direct free-kicks. He possesses spectacular technique and ball-striking, combining power with precision at a high level.

SOURCE: MUTV

This is one of a number of free-kicks scored by Jim Thwaites and is one of the strongest parts of his game. In modern football, set-pieces are becoming increasingly important as teams often reach a qualitative and tactical stalemate. Thwaites is always a threat from set-piece situations, both as a creator and scorer.

He strikes through the football with conviction and accuracy; a nightmare for opposition defenders and goalkeepers. Outside of Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United don’t have reliable set-piece threats and these players are also very difficult to find and afford on the market, whilst also doing all of the magnificent things that a player like Fernandes can do in open play.

On the notion of open play creation, in addition to his set-piece proficiency, Thwaites uses his ball-striking as a threat in open play, often as a passer. As shown in the first clip, the English youngster is willing and able to make beautiful diagonal passes to teammates, especially those holding the width on the opposite flank.

However, his passing ability is even more diverse than that. A notable attribute of his is the ability to use both feet. Whilst often favouring his stronger right foot, Thwaites is more than capable of being effective with his left foot and can play pinpoint passes between the lines or over opposition defenders into open space, both putting his team in advantageous positions.

SOURCE: MUTV

Thwaites is confident in his abilities and that is always on display when he takes to the pitch. In the above clip, he receives the ball in a deep and supposedly non-threatening position, but a quick scan and accurate through ball on his weaker foot immediately puts United in a dangerous position from which they eventually score.

This emphasises the importance of marking Thwaites in all positions and not allowing him the space and time to utilise his phenomenal passing range to create a chance for his team. England don’t often produce footballers of this ilk, making it extremely important to utilise them when they appear, especially one as talented as Jim Thwaites.

At just 17 years old, Thwaites can still be moulded into any type of midfielder, making it difficult to nail him down to any specific role at the moment. However, this versatility makes him even more valuable, allowing him to thrive in numerous roles. That said, he appears most comfortable and effective as an all-phase no. 8 with the freedom to drop deeper to collect the ball from the defence, serve as a metronome in the middle of the pitch and finally play incisive passes to teammates to create threatening situations for his team.

With this in mind, the Thiago Alcântara comparison doesn’t appear out of place. Whilst it’s important to treat the youngster with patience and care as he grows as a footballer and a man, United will be well aware of the unbelievable talent they have on their hands. There is no ceiling on what Jim Thwaites can achieve as a footballer.

By: Lebohang Mwamuka / @lebzygold

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Manchester United