ajnotkeith
Senior Member
I even agree with you, there is a global shortage of top-class strikers. Lewandowski can still be considered top10 or even top5 on paper.This is where the discussion gets interesting. Should we put age as a factor on judging players current performances? Or we should judge everyone based on their current role.
This is important not just for old player like Lewandowski, but also for younger ones.
I appreciate Lewa scoring, and I look around Europe top clubs, and I see that just scoring 20 goals (all comp) per season isn't a usual thing for many no 9 in big clubs. Those who are capable of doing it, they don't press that much either. It is usually those who aren't who do this stuff.
Scoring can get underrated at times. Without Lewa we won't be Liga Champions for 6 consecutive years now. He was a good and well calculated signing.
His main issue is off the ball movement is now worse, and his ability to connect and play with his back to goal is worse. Those are serious issues but it feels more like a fatigue thing, hence why Hansi is subbing him more. I think he was stupid to not retire from NT at his age btw..
He can't be a 90 minutes starter, which is an issue tbh. But he is still the one that puts the ball in goals.
Reliable and proven goalscorers are a thing of rarity at the top level, even look at Mbappe at Real, he is struggling to score consistently.
I highlight his age because I think we are very lucky that a 36 year old striker is performing like this, because his 36 year old version could have been much worse, for now he is still doing great.