24 - Thomas Vermaelen
- Thread starter FlyLo
- Start date
Chainsaw
Killahead
Let's talk about Vermaelen please. I'm not fond of being reminded of my evil english teachers
Oh yeah back on topic. Vermaelen
Oh yeah back on topic. Vermaelen
decent/solid defender if healthy
pace/Accelaration, decent technique, good in the air, clever
makes positioning errors once in a while
Co0ter
Senior Member
When Vermaelen first moved to Arsenal I was very impressed by him. Sure he had the ability to go forward and could score, but that was only a part of why I liked him. What I liked most was the ferocity in his defending and his manner. He was a leader and you could see he gave 100%. He had lapses in concentration, like every CB, but overall he defended really well. Unfortunately due to multiple injuries and lack of playing time, I never again saw him in that type of form.
If he stays injury free and gets back to that form I'll welcome him. However, now isn't the time to be asking "what if", now wasn't the time to just buy a 30 year old that can cover CB for "a few years". Now, and after a very long wait, was the time to buy a player who was in his prime and a clear starter.
The rest of the team looks so promising; I just can't understand why they refuse to bring real quality into the back line. Even with a 3-2-3-2, with Alba and Alves/Cuadrado as midfield wingers, do we really see Mathieu-Pique-Bartra as our starting three? It's not terrible, but Pique has by no means displayed the quality required to be the heart of our defense.
I just don't get it.
If he stays injury free and gets back to that form I'll welcome him. However, now isn't the time to be asking "what if", now wasn't the time to just buy a 30 year old that can cover CB for "a few years". Now, and after a very long wait, was the time to buy a player who was in his prime and a clear starter.
The rest of the team looks so promising; I just can't understand why they refuse to bring real quality into the back line. Even with a 3-2-3-2, with Alba and Alves/Cuadrado as midfield wingers, do we really see Mathieu-Pique-Bartra as our starting three? It's not terrible, but Pique has by no means displayed the quality required to be the heart of our defense.
I just don't get it.
ebieymjunior
Senior Member
Why is everyone complaining again? (Why am I even asking that question?)
Vermaelen is a good defender who's not afraid of getting physical and that gets him injured most of the times (same reasons why Puyol always got injured).
He's also left footed which means we have 4 CBs which complement each other Bartra/Pique - Vermaelen/Mathieu.
The fact that Van Gaal also wanted him should open your eyes a bit too. He's more than decent when called upon, he's young (for a CB), has been captain, good with the ball, can move up the pitch when needed, good at headers, aerially dominant and can score some goals too. He's just like an older, left footed Bartra.
Vermaelen is a good defender who's not afraid of getting physical and that gets him injured most of the times (same reasons why Puyol always got injured).
He's also left footed which means we have 4 CBs which complement each other Bartra/Pique - Vermaelen/Mathieu.
The fact that Van Gaal also wanted him should open your eyes a bit too. He's more than decent when called upon, he's young (for a CB), has been captain, good with the ball, can move up the pitch when needed, good at headers, aerially dominant and can score some goals too. He's just like an older, left footed Bartra.
L
linetty
Guest
Galning
Moderator
Puyol was 34 when he got "constantly injured" and that was after he became the best defender the club had ever seen. What about Vermaelen? So far: stood out in the mighty Eredivisie, found out in big games, shaky for national team and benched by Mertesacker and Gibbs.
The fact that Van Gaal wanted him says more about United's centre back options than it says about Vermaelen's quality to be honest.
Word.
The fact that Van Gaal wanted him says more about United's centre back options than it says about Vermaelen's quality to be honest.
Word.
ebieymjunior
Senior Member
Love this forum
No point arguing, you wanted Benatia/Hummels/[insert "World Class" CB here] and didn't get him, I can understand your frustration.
CBs don't work that way. They work with hard work and that's exactly why I'm sure Lucho is the right coach for all 4 CBs.
But I can understand you.
ebieymjunior
Senior Member
True, but it's not impossible - he might fail miserably, he might also become one of our best CBs.
Not saying he was the best option, but he can still be quite good. Cheers.
Robbie
New member
He was captain for a reason. His "failure" at Arsenal is pretty much down to bad luck, and kind of the reverse of what happened to RVP.
With RVP, he got those annual injuries and everyone was screaming at Wenger to buy a new striker, but he didn't and eventually RVP became good.
With Vermaelen, he got a 1 year injury, and everyone was screaming at Wenger to buy a new defender. Wenger looks at Koscielny's attributes and gets a defender (Mertesacker) who complements his style. It works perfectly for everyone involved, except Vermaelen. A year later he's fit again, still has the captain's armband, but the team moved on without him. He was simply injured for far too long. It's sad, but what else was Wenger supposed to do?
He's still a brilliant defender, but was very low on confidence after essentially losing his place on the team. Vermaelen was always very professional though, and sat on the bench without complaining, trying to prove himself with the few chances he got (Mertesacker and Koscielny were rarely injured. More bad luck for Thomas). Enrique is going to be getting a great player, and his technique on the ball was always suited for Spain. You guys are getting a defender who never stops running, can contribute to passing play in the midfield, and can even score from open play. He'll prove a lot of people wrong.
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