Bobo32
Senior Member
That's another problem with him. Not a DM, can't defend; not an AM, not creative; not a great MF either.
He could be a great CB
I thought he played very well in some group stage game, didn't watch today's loss.
That's another problem with him. Not a DM, can't defend; not an AM, not creative; not a great MF either.
The best games that I've seen him play was as a libero in 3 at the back. ex. vs PSG away and Sociedad away.
That's his best position imo.
He could be a great CB
I thought he played very well in some group stage game, didn't watch today's loss.
He was out of his depth every time he played there for us. Ducks when crosses fly into the box, enough said.
The Dutch were just made to look good by having a shite group.
He was GREAT some games and moments - but defensively he would need half a year or more of regular playing in the position to do it really well.
I don't see him becoming a good enough Barcelona midfielder for me though. He could play half the games a season as a b2b as Keita did maybe...
He clearly demonstrated that he lacks some basic skills for a defender. You saw GREAT performances. Make of that what you will
"basic skills" being not ducking on crosses, what else?
He lacked a bit of concentration sometimes, and was a bit lost in the moment at other times, not knowing what side to defend on and so on. As I said he would need some time there.
He demonstrates with every midfield performance that he doesn't really understand space and time well enough, when faced against a defending team he can't do much between the lines. He is great at dribbling through pressure from the defence, and he is very good when he gets some space and some obvious options, but he can't manipulate a well defending opponent, can't create out of nothing. He has some powerful runs into the box sometimes, that he could also offer playing as a defender.
He isn't overrated but hes overpaid. He earns more then Lewandowski which is bizarre
There you go, describing his defensive weaknesses. There were moments his positioning was suspect and when he didn't know when to commit into a tackle or stand off opponent.
I too feel he isn't the worldclass player we wanted him to be. Salary is also way off considering the output.
And I say that they are pretty easily fixable, do you disagree?
He has the speed, the height, the mental attributes (he seems eager to learn, fine to play 'for the team', on top of having decent enough vision and so on). It's just changing some habits for him, I think.
He doesn't have the defensive grit to play CB. Simple as that. Can work as a libero in a back three, but in a two-man defense, absolutely not.