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It has to be him or Paulinho in midfield. It can't be both
I disagree. It depends who plays alongside him. It doesn't work with Paulinho. Either of them could be pushed further forward.i fricking love Dembele, but he definitely inst suited to our formation, unless we give him a go at the attacking midfielder role
I suspect many will disagree with you, but I have to agree in the main. Though would I like him to push Dembélé further forward or persist with Eriksen and Holtby? - probably the latter. I rate them both very highly and think they (or at least one of them) needs an extended run in the team for us to get the best out of them....seeing as Eriksen and Hotlby have been pretty useless thus far. I think in that role he could suck in challenges and skip past people, creating angles and space to play in the striker. Just a thought
Or perhaps he just needs time in a position to actually master it? Seems to have been shoved from pillar to post for most of his career to me. Its less than 2 seasons now he has been playing CM as far as I know...He played centre back for a bit on sunday whilst Vlad was injured in the first half. I think he can clearly play anywhere on the pitch. Maybe he fits into the 'master of none' when it comes to positions.
To complicate things further I think Holtby could be very useful in CM instead of CAM. He has the energy and workrate to cover/press etc as needed and he passes quickly and aggressively which I think would be very valuable for us.I suspect many will disagree with you, but I have to agree in the main. Though would I like him to push Dembélé further forward or persist with Eriksen and Holtby? - probably the latter. I rate them both very highly and think they (or at least one of them) needs an extended run in the team for us to get the best out of them.
Given that neither Holtby or Eriksen have especially impressed in the CAM role, I wonder if its worth trying a more orthodox 433 and playing Sandro - Paulinho - Dembele in midfield. Sandro destroying, Dembele free to own the midfield and Paulinho in a position to regularly get in on goal.
fair pointOr perhaps he just needs time in a position to actually master it? Seems to have been shoved from pillar to post for most of his career to me. Its less than 2 seasons now he has been playing CM as far as I know...
Id be happy with that. I also would hope Paulinho would actually play off of/with Soldado more and so between them they occupy defenders and make space as well.I do like that idea especially against top teams but then the onus would really be on our widemen to create plenty of chances and whip in plenty of crosses. Lamela wide right torturing defenses with Walker on the overlap and Townsend wide left wiping in crosses should do the trick lol
I agree. He played CM for Schalke, with the freedom to push forward, and this seemed to suit him very well. Dembélé could play that role. As could Paulinho.To complicate things further I think Holtby could be very useful in CM instead of CAM. He has the energy and workrate to cover/press etc as needed and he passes quickly and aggressively which I think would be very valuable for us.
Capoue's tendancy to look to pass forward and early was a revelation when he came on the other day, added a bit of pace to our attack, I think Hotlby could be similar
Not me...Did someone call him the Moose?
Id be happy with that. I also would hope Paulinho would actually play off of/with Soldado more and so between them they occupy defenders and make space as well.