Daley Blind image 17

Daley Blind Netherlands flag

2014-15 Performances

View full 2014-15 profile

6.2 Season Average Rating
Appearances
29
Clean sheets
9
Goals
2
Assists
3
Yellow cards
4
Wednesday at Stoke said:
Faded badly in the 2nd half, allowed runners to drive through midfield and should have put one attempt on target with the time and space he was afforded, even form that range. Good performance but there were atleast 4 or 5 better players on the pitch. (De Gea > Di Maria > Rafael > Falcao).
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I watched him against Everton and he was always in a great position to receive the ball during the first half. He was in acres of space and often turned and drove through midfield before giving it to one of the forward player's; really turning defence into attack. This has been a common theme with him to be honest. He's been an 8/10 in every game for the first 45 minutes, has been roughly a 7/10 at 45 - 60 minutes and has been a 4 or 5 for the last half an hour. Naturally we've been hurt on a few occasions in the last half an hour and this is one of the reasons.

It's clear he's still acclimatising to the speed of the Premier League. He either needs to manage his current stamina levels better and leave some in the tank, or work harder on his fitness to be able to maintain the pace throughout the game. It's completely understandable though, coming from the Dutch League.
 
He's basically the Dutch Gareth Barry.
 
Definitely better than Gareth Barry.

His ability to control the game from the middle, for one, is superior.
 
Blind is already looking as good as Gareth Barry at his peak. In a year or so, Blind will be much better than Gareth Barry ever was.
 
I always thought Barry looked totally out of his depth for City and was extremely lucky to last as long as he did in their team. It made me want to tear my hair out when people compared him to Carrick.
 
soap said:
I always thought Barry looked totally out of his depth for City and was extremely lucky to last as long as he did in their team. It made me want to tear my hair out when people compared him to Carrick.
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His last season with them was awful. I remember one game where he scored one (or two) own goals? Just looked like he didn't belong.
 
soap said:
I always thought Barry looked totally out of his depth for City and was extremely lucky to last as long as he did in their team. It made me want to tear my hair out when people compared him to Carrick.
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I don't think that's fair. He was a crucial member of the side that won the Premier League. He wasn't flashy and he wasn't a superstar, which is what lost him his place in the side, but he was a calming presence who added balance to a side full of top talent. Fernando and Fernandinho are better players on paper but I don't think either offer the same balance to the side. I don't think he's as good as Carrick and he isn't necessarily the same type of player but I do think he was just as important for City as Carrick was in our last top side.
 
At times against Everton there seemed to be too much space between him and the rest of the midfielders. I don't think the players have quite figured out how to play this system perfectly yet, which is good because already the midfield is so much better that it was. For example I feel at times when we're under pressure the 10 should be dropping back a bit more to help out, but against Everton Mata was playing more like a striker than a midfielder and it left Blind too isolated.

Overall I think he's been fantastic. He gives the impression of a very consistent performer with his excellent technique and quick passing ability. Sometimes I mistake him for Mata when he's on the ball!
 
mufcwarm92 said:
I don't think that's fair. He was a crucial member of the side that won the Premier League. He wasn't flashy and he wasn't a superstar, which is what lost him his place in the side, but he was a calming presence who added balance to a side full of top talent. Fernando and Fernandinho are better players on paper but I don't think either offer the same balance to the side. I don't think he's as good as Carrick and he isn't necessarily the same type of player but I do think he was just as important for City as Carrick was in our last top side.
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I guess I can accept that. I thought De Jong was a much better player and Barry only got in the team because he's better on the ball than de Jong and Mancini didnt feel the need to play a destroyer like de Jong next to toure when city would dominate most games. I've seen way too many people say he was about Carrick's level which just wasn't true at all.
 
Barry was a good player for City for the most part. They got rid at the right time, but he served them well. The comparison isn't all that harsh albeit I do think that Blind reads the game better and is that touch more refined on the ball.

I'm a big fan of this guy and I enjoy his performances, but I don't think it's unfair to suggest he isn't regular starting material for a team with our eventual aspirations. He'll be a brilliant player here overall, though, I'm sure of that. Exactly the kind of squad player you want.
 
11101 said:
I'm sure he will adapt to the physical aspect with time. He comes from a league where it doesn't matter as much, it's not like he's slight of frame and can never develop physically. Its also an overrated part of the English game - if he/we can keep the ball moving well enough it won't matter. Some people who clamour for another Keane-like enforcer forget just how good he was on the ball too. The uncoachable aspects like intelligence on the ball Blind has in spades.

He is quickly becoming my favourite player.
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It really isn't this is a league where athleticism is important especially in central midfield. I just don't think he will be the guy we want him to be long term unless he has protection in the middle, in all our games it has been too easy to get at our back line and he is our defensive midfielder. He will struggle 1 on 1 against the very best attackers.
 
Our cheapest summer signing but fast becoming one of our most important. He reads the game superbly and because of that his positioning is always excellent. When one or two of his teammates close someone down he's always nearby to mop up the loose ball, and that's important.

He is becoming a key member in this team because whilst he might do the unflashy/unspectacular stuff, he knits everything together, provides a solid platform and enables the attacking players to be creative. He links defence and attack really well and a big part of me doesn't want to see him ousted for a more robust DM, I think if we let him develop naturally he will become more rounded and a brilliant player for us.
 
Going to be a fan favourite that's for sure. Does an unnoticed job, is tidy and efficient.
Hope he stays fit, him and Herrera could form and excellent partnership in the middle of the park
 
JaffyJoe said:
It really isn't this is a league where athleticism is important especially in central midfield. I just don't think he will be the guy we want him to be long term unless he has protection in the middle, in all our games it has been too easy to get at our back line and he is our defensive midfielder. He will struggle 1 on 1 against the very best attackers.
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Hard to dispute that but if you've read stories on Blind's ascendancy at Ajax you'd have noticed how he went from the most ridiculed player to the one the fans sang about. His story is about someone who has fought hard to be where he right now, I'm sure he and the coaches would have noticed how he is physically and steps are being taken to rectify that as we speak. He will bulk up even though he will never be as strong as an ox he will be just strong enough. The physicality can be remedied, to an extent, but what he has in abundance can not be taught or bought- intelligence and tactical awareness.
 
Daley Blind on Roy Keane comparisons: 'Let's not go overboard', says Manchester United midfielder


The Dutchman has settled quickly at Old Trafford


Daley Blind has laughed off comparisons with Manchester United legend Roy Keane, saying it is too early in his Old Trafford career for such talk.

The midfielder has settled quickly following his move from Ajax, playing every minute since his debut in the 4-0 win over QPR.

His combative displays in the centre of the park, combined with his ability to be the root of attacks, has seen him compared with former captain Keane.

"“Let’s not go overboard. It’s going quite well, but we’ve only just started," said the 24-year-old.

“I can say I have settled in quite well. In England it is not very usual to start the build-up from behind. United do.

“This is where my Ajax background becomes useful. Started the build-up there is our second nature.”

Blind has joined the other summer arrivals in commenting on the status of Manchester United, but despite joining one of the world's most famous teams, he says he has integrated well with his new team-mates.

“I had only just signed for Manchester United when my Twitter account exploded. This club is so huge.

“Sir Bobby Charlton comes into the dressing after every match. Nice to see. He doesn’t say much. He is just there, being that iconic figure of the club.

“Robin van Persie helped me out a lot in the early stages.

“Now I hang out with the other players too. We’ve got a nice group of players with the likes of Di Maria and Falcao.

“World class players but very down-to-earth. Falcao even seems shy when you meet him for the first time. It’s up to me to reach their level. My Ajax background comes in handy there too.

“I’ve become used to Champions League football, the rhythm of playing every three days. The Premier League is physically very tough, but I can handle it. We’ve got lots of injuries, but I am okay.

“In England I haven’t had the opportunity to take it easy. Players and fans have one motto: keep going for 90 minutes.”

Manchester United return to action away against West Brom following the international break.
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Enjoyed this.
 
KiD MoYeS said:
I don't think anyone would welcome comparisons to a club legend after a handful of games, unnecessary pressure.
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Where do these things come from anyway? Do journo's just make this bullshit up? Not a single fan I've spoken to has compared him to Keane, I haven't seen it posted on here, he doesn't even play like Keane or play the same role. Do they just go "some fans have compared you to.." having plucked it out of their arses?
 
DJ Jeff said:
Where do these things come from anyway? Do journo's just make this bullshit up? Not a single fan I've spoken to has compared him to Keane, I haven't seen it posted on here, he doesn't even play like Keane or play the same role. Do they just go "some fans have compared you to.." having plucked it out of their arses?
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Yes.
 
I feel calm with him there, relaxed when he has the ball, unusual.
 
I always feel he is an upgraded Kuyt. Blind has good tactical awareness, huge stamina, workrate, always fit and his basic technique is also very good because of his Ajax history. Kuyt always grew in his rol at whatever club he was. He even scored in a Cl final. I feel like Blind is the same, he will grow to the level required of a team with title and cl winning aspirations. He needs some time to develop (especially on his strenght) but if he develops like he did the past 2 years, he will become a huge player for us in the future.
 
Lawman said:
No chance even at £60m that is Di Maria
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Nah, for all his brilliant moments, he is still showing a lot of mistakes for someone at 60m. LVG describes them as "unnecessary losses of possession" namely misplaced passes and the overly excessive amount of crossing he does. I don't think anyone else in the team crosses the ball as much as he does. He should realize by now that his crosses have never resulted in anything for us yet. Of course, when he decides to do something else other than hoof the ball into the box, it is usually brilliant and ends up in a goal for us. I mean, the first time he decided to not hoof the ball into the box against Everton, Falcao scored. And that's why Blind is the most value for money.
 
Looking forward to seeing how he gets on against the better midfields in the league. Not convinced he is good enough, but very happy to be proven wrong.
 
pocco said:
Was pretty crap for Netherlands tonight. I still think he's pretty average, the weak link in our midfield.
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Lunacy! He's pretty good. Helps the defense out by being avilable when we have the ball(so no more hoofs from Blackett), and positions himself well when the opposition has the ball. Is clever with his passing and usually makes the right call. That's pretty good attributes for a sitting midfielder with two b2b players in-front of him. I'd prefer him as a rotation player rather than someone who is nailed on to start every game.
 
I was so excited when we were linked with him and i am glad he signed for us. He has taken off right from the start and i hope he continues this good form.
 
World Game said:
Nah, for all his brilliant moments, he is still showing a lot of mistakes for someone at 60m. LVG describes them as "unnecessary losses of possession" namely misplaced passes and the overly excessive amount of crossing he does. I don't think anyone else in the team crosses the ball as much as he does. He should realize by now that his crosses have never resulted in anything for us yet. Of course, when he decides to do something else other than hoof the ball into the box, it is usually brilliant and ends up in a goal for us. I mean, the first time he decided to not hoof the ball into the box against Everton, Falcao scored. And that's why Blind is the most value for money.
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Completely disagree with this. His crosses have been pin point with a beautiful arc on them. Yes, he puts in a long one once in a while but he mixes it up perfectly. He dribbles it wide, sometimes he dribbles and cuts into the centre and also puts in long crosses. keeps the opposition on their toes. It's never a repetition. It's upto the strikers to anticipate how the ball will arrive and utilize it to the maximum. Our forwards movement in the box is a bit underwhelming when you see the available talent. They need to get on the end of those crosses. More frequently he'll lose possession but that's allowed. He's the creative heart of the team and we don't play tiki-taka. As long as we have the better overall possession he can pull of as many risky passes he wants. There's a very good chance it'll end up with a goal.

Coming back to the topic at hand, 60M can never be a value signing for me. He's expected to be doing unseen magical shit for that kind of money. Blind on the other hand is a good example of value for money.
 
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