Jan Vertonghen

[darthvader7888]

And when was the last time we actually conceded from a defender being outpaced on the counter attack?

Off the top of my head, Ronaldo's 2nd goal against us in the CDR match. The lack of pace is a major problem in our high line, and makes us vulnerable to counter attacks. I definitely think we need a fast CB.

 

[Galning]

Well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzhgr7t4bHY

Falcao isn't even fast.
Maybe it doesn't happen that often, but that is most likely due to how most players in La Liga play. Bale uses nothing but blistering pace to get past players, so..

That is Busquets not being a defender. Instead of running towards the man (which a DM normally always does) he is supposed to just run back towards his goal instead of focusing on Falcao. And then, yeah he isn't fast enough to make up for his mistake. But the initial mistake is his judgement of the situation.

I think, Puyol spends too much energy on running instead of defending in this situation. We need a CB who has a good balance with both

How is this even an example of being out paced? He runs at the same level of Di Maria and then slips.

Off the top of my head, Ronaldo's 2nd goal against us in the CDR match. The lack of pace is a major problem in our high line, and makes us vulnerable to counter attacks. I definitely think we need a fast CB.

I don't remember that.
Of course, I'm not saying we can't use a fast centre back in our defence. But you guys are overestimating our defence. The real problem is positioning and the fact that we always play 1 v 1. Not that our defenders are slow.

 

[Co0ter]

That is Busquets not being a defender. Instead of running towards the man (which a DM normally always does) he is supposed to just run back towards his goal instead of focusing on Falcao. And then, yeah he isn't fast enough to make up for his mistake. But the initial mistake is his judgement of the situation.



How is this even an example of being out paced? He runs at the same level of Di Maria and then slips.



I don't remember that.
Of course, I'm not saying we can't use a fast centre back in our defence. But you guys are overestimating our defence. The real problem is positioning and the fact that we always play 1 v 1. Not that our defenders are slow.

A fast center back is exactly what we need. We've played a higher line each season begining with Pep and that's not going to change. Our biggest problem with our defense this year was using Alves and Alba together as full backs. Secondly we had no true center backs besides Pique who was off form for most of the season.
Thirdly, Busquets pushed up too far all season long and was not in his best form- he's way too damn slow to push that far forward, he could never make it back in time vs counters.

Counters...our biggest weakness. What is the best way for an attacking team, who plays a high line, to defend a counter? A fast center back.

We got by with Puyol because before his injuries he had decent pace but his reading of the game was the BEST in the world. The only option that reads the game as well as him is TS and he's also super fast....and also happens to be the best CB in the world. Not sure we can get him, but pace should be a huge factor in who we acquire, along with aerial ability.

 

[Galning]

A fast center back is exactly what we need. We've played a higher line each season begining with Pep and that's not going to change. Our biggest problem with our defense this year was using Alves and Alba together as full backs. Secondly we had no true center backs besides Pique who was off form for most of the season.
Thirdly, Busquets pushed up too far all season long and was not in his best form- he's way too damn slow to push that far forward, he could never make it back in time vs counters.

Counters...are biggest weakness. What is the best way for an attacking team, who plays a high line, to defend a counter? A fast center back.

We got by with Puyol because before his injuries he had decent pace but his reading of the game was the BEST in the world. The only option that reads the game as well as him is TS and he's also super fast....and also happens to be the best CB in the world. Not sure we can get him, but pace should be a huge factor in who we acquire, along with aerial ability.

Yes I agree. That's exactly my point. Our defensive problems are way worse than just needing a fast centre back.

 

[beautifulgame]

Want young, promising and cheap? South America is full of them. Here are a couple off the top of my head.

Matìas Rodrigo Pèrez Marìn - Paraguay

Dória - Brasil

 

[Piqué]

k.

We got by with Puyol because before his injuries he had decent pace but his reading of the game was the BEST in the world. The only option that reads the game as well as him is TS and he's also super fast....and also happens to be the best CB in the world. Not sure we can get him, but pace should be a huge factor in who we acquire, along with aerial ability.

There is no CB in the world that reads the game better than Kompany. And Kompany as a total package is also better than TS.

 

[beautifulgame]

There is no CB in the world that reads the game better than Kompany. And Kompany as a total package is also better than TS.

No, because no.

 

[Piqué]

Agree to disagree then. Yesterday, Kompany was again monstrous for Belgium, absolute class as a leader for this team. Played for an hour with a broken nose, fractured eye socket and a concussion. I think today he has become a role model for all Belgians, just because of his achievements on the field, but even more for his attitude on and off the field. Would be an absolute dream to see him play for Barcelona.

Vertonghen played at left back, and not very good to be honest. Not his natural position off course. But he had one brilliant cross which resulted in the first goal.

 

[Gilberto]

Agree to disagree then. Yesterday, Kompany was again monstrous for Belgium, absolute class as a leader for this team. Played for an hour with a broken nose, fractured eye socket and a concussion. I think today he has become a role model for all Belgians, just because of his achievements on the field, but even more for his attitude on and off the field. Would be an absolute dream to see him play for Barcelona.

Vertonghen played at left back, and not very good to be honest. Not his natural position off course. But he had one brilliant cross which resulted in the first goal.

I watched the match too and do I agree!

 

[Athletic]

Just fyi he's not a role model for Belgians... His constant political quotes annoy many people.

Nothing of that matters on the football field though. Kompany would be great for Barca, but highly unlikely.

 

[Yannick03]

Just fyi he's not a role model for Belgians... His constant political quotes annoy many people.

Nothing of that matters on the football field though. Kompany would be great for Barca, but highly unlikely.

A footballer with an opinion, hunt him down

I too find him a role model. He's a great person and a true leader.

 

[Meitux]

meh... that looks bad,a true leader

 

[Gilberto]

I've seen him speak a few times, on Match of the day (bbc) for example. He is very humble and intelligent and a leader like some of you already said.

EDIT:Humble when speaking of course. He is an animal on the pitch.

 

[Piqué]

Just fyi he's not a role model for Belgians... His constant political quotes annoy many people.

Rubbish. It only annoys people who are to dumb to understand what he means by them. Everybody in Belgium with a bit of a brain likes Kompany. His shirt sales have gone through the roof the last couple of months, everywhere you see children with his shirt. And every girl wants to be with him .

The guy is just pure class, on and off the pitch.

 

[Kerrybai]

There is no CB in the world that reads the game better than Kompany. And Kompany as a total package is also better than TS.

He's a great player but I'm not sure he is better than Thiago Silva, and perhaps a number of other players. His positioning is sometimes questionable.

It might be harsh to pick out a single mistake but it is a good example of how his positioning can be poor, everyone who watches Spurs knows that Defoe likes to cut inside and shoot and Kompany lets him do exactly that. Instead of forcing Defoe to the touchline he steps off him allowing him space to open his body and shoot.