Chido Obi has joined Willem II on a season-long loan from Manchester United, a move that has captured the imagination of the Dutch club's fanbase after a quiet summer transfer window at Old Trafford.
Manchester United made no late additions to their squad, and the only recent movement has seen players leave. Willem II, who failed to win any of their opening three Eredivisie matches of the season, turned to the transfer market to strengthen, with Obi's arrival on loan the headline deal.
An eye-catching signing
“It's definitely an eye-catching signing,” Voetbal International journalist and Willem II expert Rob Aarts told MEN Sport. “Manchester United is a really big club, and if Willem II as a club gets mentioned in the global media, that's very odd for them. So you can name it a very special transfer in that way.”
Despite their slow start, Obi has joined a club on the up. Willem II gained promotion to the Eredivisie last season, and the target is to stay up. In the Netherlands, they have a reputation that will have caught Obi's eye.
“They often are being called the ‘Ajax of the south’, because they want to play always in a 4-3-3 system, with wingers. And they want to play positive football and also give young players opportunities,” Aarts explained.
Competition for a starting spot
Aarts said Obi will get chances, but added: “What's a bit odd, in my opinion, is I don't think he will automatically be the first-choice striker because that is Devin Haen, a young striker who is 22. I think he's also the most valuable player in the squad right now and he has started the season really well and deserves his place.”
“But Willem haven't brought Obi in just to sit on the bench either. So I think there will be a serious competition between them, but I think Haen will start the next couple of games.”
Asked if he was surprised by Obi's move, Aarts said: “Yes and no. They were specifically looking for another striker. They have two strikers right now. Devin Haen, as I mentioned, and Thomas Verheydt, who is a giant, he's 34 years old. He's more like a super sub in the last couple of minutes.”
“But Devin needs some competition to reach his highest level and at the moment he only has Thomas, the older one, who is a very different type of striker. I think Obi gives the manager another option and, obviously, he has a lot of potential.”
Isak comparison
Obi is not the first forward to arrive at Willem with plenty of potential. Back in January 2019, a young Alexander Isak moved to Willem on loan to gain more senior experience. The current Liverpool striker, who became the most expensive Premier League player in history last summer, had been given some opportunities in the Borussia Dortmund first team before moving back down to the academy. During his half-season in the Netherlands, Isak scored 14 goals in 18 appearances before joining Real Sociedad permanently.
“I think that the gap is too big between what he earns at United and what he can earn at Willem II [for Obi to move to the club permanently], because it's a very big gap between the level of the two clubs,” Aarts admitted. “But it reminds me a bit, not as a player, but as a signing, of Alexander Isak.”
“I think this could be the same opportunity for Obi to show his qualities and maybe go to another club, which is higher than Willem today, but lower than Manchester United. Obviously, we are not the last station for football players - I think that is the Premier League, of course.”
“But I think as a young striker, the Eredivisie can be a very good league to develop in because it's a very attractive competition, very attacking competition and Willem can offer him first-team football. It's very much different than playing Under-21s or Under-18s, but without the enormous pressure he would have at clubs in the Premier League. If he performs well, he shall get his minutes and he will get opportunities.”
Playing style and expectations
Guiding Obi during this new challenge will be Willem II's manager John Stegeman. Aarts describes the former Go Ahead Eagles and PEC Zwolle manager as a 'father figure' to his players. Like Michael Carrick, he staunchly defends them in the media and leaves little confusion about what he wants from his team.
One thing that will be demanded of Obi is for him to be more than just a finisher. “When you are a striker in the Premier League you have to make chances to score goals,” Aarts said. “That's the most important thing in the Eredivisie too.”
“In the Netherlands, it is also important for a striker to join the midfield, to play the ball, to give passes. It’s not just about scoring goals, it's about joining the whole team.”
He concluded: “Willem II is a very passionate club and also Tilburg is a football city and the stadium is usually full every home match. So supporters can be a little bit demanding, especially when results are disappointing. But young players who show energy, and I think Obi can, and commitment are generally appreciated. At Willem, there is a lot of excitement around the move.”
