Why Manchester City should sign Sontje Hansen with an eye on the future

According to a report from The Guardian, Manchester City are scouting Ajax teenage sensation Sontje Hansen with a view of making a move to sign him in the summer.

The 17-year-old Hansen has been a part of the Ajax youth setup since 2013, having previously spent time at the academies of HSV Sport, Zwaluwen and Always Forward. Having signed up at Ajax, the teenage forward has made rapid strides in his youth career breaking into the club’s U17 side in 2017, for whom he scored 8 goals and set up 2 in 23 appearances in 2017/18.

The following season, Hansen was promoted to the U19 team despite being only 16. Hansen repaid that faith with some impressive performances, finishing with 11 goals and 11 assists in 32 matches.

The 17-year-old has continued to make a strong impression in 2019/20, with seven goals and six assists in 22 matches, while also making his senior debut. He has featured twice for the first-team, although amounting to just 13 minutes.

Meanwhile, Manchester City haven’t been at their brilliant best in 2019/20. While they completed a hat-trick of Carabao Cup triumphs, the Cityzens have faltered in the defense of their Premier League title and are 25 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola should look to strengthen his squad in the summer but transfer plans will be hampered by their two-year European football ban handed by FIFA for breach of Financial Fair Play rules. While the first-team needs reinforcements, especially in the centre-back department, the Cityzens should also have an eye on the future and continue to add to their youth teams.

And this is where Hansen’s signing would prove handy for Man City. The 17-year-old has shown great potential in his youth career at Ajax so far, with improvements in his goal-scoring record season after season.

Moreover, Hansen won the Golden Boot at last year’s U17 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, finishing with six goals in the tournament. The 17-year-old forward also played a key role in Netherlands’ U17 European Championship triumph last year.

Manchester City have some fine young talents coming through their youth setup. The likes of Phil Foden, Eric Garcia, Adrian Bernabe, Lukas Nmecha are the future of the club. Adding Hansen to that contingent would be a smart move by the club.

At 17, Hansen has shown immense potential and adaptability for his age, having been deployed on the flanks and also at centre-forward at club and international level.

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The fact that Sergio Aguero is nearing the twilight years of his career at Manchester City isn’t lost on anyone. While Gabriel Jesus is the anointed heir-apparent for the Argentine, City will need someone to support the Brazilian when he takes over the mantle of the senior striker in a couple of years. And that is where Hansen’s signing could pay off for the Sky Blues.

Verdict

Hansen, in his burgeoning career, has shown great promise already. Having led the Netherlands U17 side to European glory and won the Golden Boot in the U17 World Cup last year, the teenage forward would be an asset for any team he signs in the future.

Manchester City should make it a point to land the teenager as he would be able to step into the first-team if and when Aguero decides to move on.