Mythical Revolution
New member
Being the only quality CB who may be remotely available is probably why so many members here have jumped on the Benatia bandwagon. But the fact that board has been incompetent for so long, doesn't change the fact that any investment in player should be based on a long term vision. That's why I would rather have us invest in a less experienced player but with a higher potential like Laporte or Marquinhos (assuming he's available); 2 players who are actually 1 year younger than when Pique established himself in our XI.
As for the lack of pace issue. Usually it's not a dealbreaker when selecting a defender, but if you want to see how its absence can hurt you just revisit the Bayern-Real or Spain-Netherlands games, while bearing in mind that both of their back lines had more pace than a potential Pique-Benatia partnership. I'm not saying that a lack of pace was the only or even the main factor that led to Bayern/Spain's defeat, but it's an important one, and unless we're willing to change our playing style to suit PB then their combined lack of pace should matter to us for the same reasons; but that's assuming that Roma are willing to part with him in the first place –*which is not a given.
As for the lack of pace issue. Usually it's not a dealbreaker when selecting a defender, but if you want to see how its absence can hurt you just revisit the Bayern-Real or Spain-Netherlands games, while bearing in mind that both of their back lines had more pace than a potential Pique-Benatia partnership. I'm not saying that a lack of pace was the only or even the main factor that led to Bayern/Spain's defeat, but it's an important one, and unless we're willing to change our playing style to suit PB then their combined lack of pace should matter to us for the same reasons; but that's assuming that Roma are willing to part with him in the first place –*which is not a given.