Samuel Umtiti

[Behrox]

He's far from being a "beast in air" as some people claimed.

not a on form Pique in the air, but he is pretty good. After adapting to the team and a little more experience he can become really good as he has a very good jump

 

[Wick]

He's far from being a "beast in air" as some people claimed.

It's not a claim. It's how it is. Based on his Lyon career he is great in the air. But you'd only know that if you watched him there. I suppose it's easier to just form an onion based on a couple matches. One of which (Betis) he won almost all his air duels. His jumping ability is very good, which it what allows him to that.

 

[Barcilliant]

He's far from being a "beast in air" as some people claimed.

Name a Central defender who is better then Umtiti 8n the air?

 

[utility73]

While he had no chance to prove himself at defending in the box yesterday (because of Betis just being way too poor) he had an otherwise excellent match again.
Very very promising.

 

[SocalBarcaFan]

Funny how I came in here to talk about his aerial prowess and that's what everyone is already talking about. I'm just excited about the prospect of potentially having two cbs who are above average in the air. I'm not saying I want to move Masche to the bench just yet but I'm exited at the possibilities both defensively and offensively for corners.

 

[barcanuck]

He reminds me of Abi alot. His low accurate passes, his aerial abilities very similar. Of course both are lefties.

 

[Pepe Silvia]

He is alot better then Stones. He is a beast in the air,very good on the ball and he has no fear. His positioning is a little suspect imo but it will improve.

Great signing so far!

I agree with everything except positioning. I think it's a timing issue on when to engage and it looks as if he's a split second late on some challenges and that causes him to get overly aggressive to rebound. He'll be able to fix that in weeks of training. : )

 

[Pepe Silvia]

On what basis are people claiming Stones is a better passer? If anything they are pretty dead even in that department.

IKR. Did they even watch Umtiti in the Euros? His through balls carved through defenses.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

Name a Central defender who is better then Umtiti 8n the air?

Pique , Boeteng, Pepe ..

 

[CatalinR10]

for his hight , pique is close to shit in the air

 

[zanela]

You guys missed the obvious two: Hummels and Godín
T.Silva and Ramos being the other two, comparable to Umtiti in stature.

I was very criticial of Piqué's aerial application couple of years ago. But he's significantly improved since, uses his strength to better effect.

As for Stones and Umtiti, the former looks more skillful on the ball, whilst the latter a lot more confident and calm. Personally, I hope both can fulfill their potential.

 

[Messi983]

He's good in the air for his height and no doubt an improvement over Masche in that.

 

[Kuchi]

He is very athletic and can out jump higher adversaries. Even if you didn't see a game at the Euro, even against Betis he had some beast aerial wins after GK kick offs, you could see him charge up the jump and time it, in order to win that.

He will learn to play his strengths in the air better and better, but i say he is up there in terms of aerial skills. He is strong, fast and jumps high. Just believe..

 

[RMU ReBorn]

for his hight , pique is close to shit in the air

would suggest you Uefa Cl final 2015 highlights

 

[SocalBarcaFan]

for his hight , pique is close to shit in the air

Maybe on offense but on defense he is absolute beast. But I think that's more to do with the service or lack there of and his positioning on corners. On defense I rarely seem him lose an aerial duel. You must be watching a different Pique.