bosskeano
Full Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2020
- Messages
- 6,317
Tadic and Antony had different tasks.
Watching Antony I was always a bit put off by how sloppy and imature he came off. But his stats is really good if you compare it to his function on the pitch. People tend to compare every winger to Salah/Mane, making the fallacy that we will be a copy of Liverpool.
Antony is more of a playmaker responsible for progressing the ball, and I think the task he solved for Ajax is more similar to the one Giggs/Beckham did. Looking at his stats, they are actually very similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold. It reminds me a bit about something Pirlo wrote in his thesis:
«As we will see below, the meaning of role is changing in modern football. It is no longer a fixed position that identifies the characteristics of a player, but more and more the different functions and therefore the tasks that a player performs in the match identify him. Therefore, the characteristics of the players are enhanced through the tasks he is called upon to perform.»
Antony is outstanding compared to the very best players in the world in terms of;
- Progression of the ball (both carries and passing)
- Passes and crosses into the penalty area
- Carries into the penalty area
- Recoveries
Furthermore, his goal and assist stat is not as bad as a few of you make out either. He has played 3510 minutes in the Eredivise in two season. That is approx one PL-season. In the time period, he has 17 goals and 12 assists. All from open play as far as I am aware. Considering his age, I think that is very good.
But more importantly, what area of play do Man Utd have to improve significantly? I would argue ball progression. We struggled due to poor build up and transition-play. And what is the main characteristics of Martinez, Eriksen, Malacia, Frenkie and Antony? They are great at progressing the ball. In my opinion, that is the most important trait of all of these players.
EtH once said that Frenkie makes the attackers better. I think that would also be the case for Antony.
promotion post right there......quality