Didn't he win Player of the Year at Ajax playing in a defensive midfield role?
Daley Blind - The Forgotten Man?
- Thread starter Brocky
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I don't think he has the right physical attributes to play as a dm in the PL, and definitely not for a Mourinho team.
Rate him greatly as a squad player, who can cover several positions in defence to a high standard + he never get injuries.
Rate him greatly as a squad player, who can cover several positions in defence to a high standard + he never get injuries.
This is rarely discussed now as Mourinho has went a full season without trying him holding midfield. Herrera has made that position his own and Carrick has signed on another year. Personally I feel it is his best position but Ander is better and Carrick is a very useful squad option. If we are talking hypothetically about moving to a midfield with one holding and two in front of him rather than a double pivot with an advanced midfielder in front of them, and using Herrera higher up the pitch rather than as the sitting player, then yes I would say Blind should be considered as a starter over Carrick. This is due more to the fact that he would be able to play a full season rather than actually being better than Carrick in the role though. I think Blind could play a full season in that position and be good enough for a team challenging for the league title.
His lack of athleticism is always going to go against him when discussing his suitability for any role, however I don't understand the opinion that he is too weak or too slow for centre midfield specifically? Anchoring the midfield is the best position to limit how much he gets exposed physically. Centre halves and full backs are far more likely to find themselves in need of pace or strength during games - particularly the amount of space you have to cover is greater. In centre midfield everything is more compressed, with supporting players all around you. Alonso, Carrick, Pirlo and an aged Scholes are all examples of players who's physical limitations were offset by their playing position. Carrick and Alonso, like Blind, have a greater aptitude for defending than the latter two did and although the complaint that they are not quite athletic enough has been and always will be the case and will show in certain moments of games, they are intelligent enough to not be a hindrance to their team defensively. Pirlo and Scholes at times were a liability, with no knack for positioning and no recovery pace to bail them out. They of course had a place in their sides in spite of this due to their obvious genius on the ball.
While Blind is not quite as good on the ball as any of the four players I've mentioned he is still extremely competent. As things stand, Herrera is our best holding midfielder. He developed rapidly in that position last year to the point where I would prefer we keep him there rather than move him positionally again. However, the one area where I feel Blind is marginally superior is circulating the ball progressively. Herrera infuses urgency into the play, but still very occasionally will receive the ball off a defender and zip it back when he could be on the half turn and play a more positive pass. Blind, like Carrick, always knows what's around him in possession and always picks the right passing option. He doesn't display the propensity to play long diagonal passes in the air like Pogba, nor drive a relatively long pass along the ground into a strikers feet like Carrick but he provides consistently forward thinking short passes.
Blind is a very intelligent and adaptable player as seen with his ability to fill in in several positions as needed. I would imagine that as a midfielder he could easy conform to whatever tactical instruction Mourinho gives in terms of team shape. Jose will oversee a myriad of subtle little changes to his side's setup from week to week to neutralise and exploit the particular shape, strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Blind is the kind of player who would understand and be able to execute changes quickly in this regard.
That being said, Blind does have one big mental weakness in his game. He looks to anticipate passes and is very positive with his pressing when he identifies an opportunity to win the ball back. The majority of the time this is good and leads to good tackles and interceptions. However, occasionally when he pushes out to press or intercept he leaves an opposition player in a (more) dangerous position unmarked and risks taking himself out the game and leaving his teammates exposed. It has happened at centre midfield, left back and worst of all at centre back where he is essentially last man and there is no cover behind him. He needs to better identify when he should hold his position and keep the team balanced. I do think this is also somewhat mitigated playing in midfield as the defence is then still there to offer time for the team to recover.
Blind is a good player who is best as a holding midfielder where his strengths are amplified and weaknesses alleviated. We have a stronger player for that position in the squad right now and the only reason to play him over that player would be if we were freeing him up to play further forward. I like him but I certainly wouldn't want him doing a man marking job on Eden Hazard.
His lack of athleticism is always going to go against him when discussing his suitability for any role, however I don't understand the opinion that he is too weak or too slow for centre midfield specifically? Anchoring the midfield is the best position to limit how much he gets exposed physically. Centre halves and full backs are far more likely to find themselves in need of pace or strength during games - particularly the amount of space you have to cover is greater. In centre midfield everything is more compressed, with supporting players all around you. Alonso, Carrick, Pirlo and an aged Scholes are all examples of players who's physical limitations were offset by their playing position. Carrick and Alonso, like Blind, have a greater aptitude for defending than the latter two did and although the complaint that they are not quite athletic enough has been and always will be the case and will show in certain moments of games, they are intelligent enough to not be a hindrance to their team defensively. Pirlo and Scholes at times were a liability, with no knack for positioning and no recovery pace to bail them out. They of course had a place in their sides in spite of this due to their obvious genius on the ball.
While Blind is not quite as good on the ball as any of the four players I've mentioned he is still extremely competent. As things stand, Herrera is our best holding midfielder. He developed rapidly in that position last year to the point where I would prefer we keep him there rather than move him positionally again. However, the one area where I feel Blind is marginally superior is circulating the ball progressively. Herrera infuses urgency into the play, but still very occasionally will receive the ball off a defender and zip it back when he could be on the half turn and play a more positive pass. Blind, like Carrick, always knows what's around him in possession and always picks the right passing option. He doesn't display the propensity to play long diagonal passes in the air like Pogba, nor drive a relatively long pass along the ground into a strikers feet like Carrick but he provides consistently forward thinking short passes.
Blind is a very intelligent and adaptable player as seen with his ability to fill in in several positions as needed. I would imagine that as a midfielder he could easy conform to whatever tactical instruction Mourinho gives in terms of team shape. Jose will oversee a myriad of subtle little changes to his side's setup from week to week to neutralise and exploit the particular shape, strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Blind is the kind of player who would understand and be able to execute changes quickly in this regard.
That being said, Blind does have one big mental weakness in his game. He looks to anticipate passes and is very positive with his pressing when he identifies an opportunity to win the ball back. The majority of the time this is good and leads to good tackles and interceptions. However, occasionally when he pushes out to press or intercept he leaves an opposition player in a (more) dangerous position unmarked and risks taking himself out the game and leaving his teammates exposed. It has happened at centre midfield, left back and worst of all at centre back where he is essentially last man and there is no cover behind him. He needs to better identify when he should hold his position and keep the team balanced. I do think this is also somewhat mitigated playing in midfield as the defence is then still there to offer time for the team to recover.
Blind is a good player who is best as a holding midfielder where his strengths are amplified and weaknesses alleviated. We have a stronger player for that position in the squad right now and the only reason to play him over that player would be if we were freeing him up to play further forward. I like him but I certainly wouldn't want him doing a man marking job on Eden Hazard.
I wish he was given some chances to play in midfield as I think he could do really well there for us.
On the money. Great post.
I'm under no illusion that he's capable of performing as a sole CDM role. I do, however, think that if you play him alongside Herrera, with Pogba in a more advanced and free role, the midfield becomes extremely balanced and you emphasise the best qualities from all three players with minimal exposure of their weaknesses, as sherrinford said. Herrera has the legs to play his 'new role' and supports Blind whilst still being able to support in attack, while Blind slots into 'quarterback' and Pogba gets to be pretty much unshackled from defensive duties.
This is the whole point of my OP. It perplexes me that it just seems to make so much sense but, for whatever reason, many people don't fancy it and would rather take the chance of getting a new (to the club and likely the league) player in.
He was poor in that position and wasn't fancied over 3 seasons there by lvg or jose. Why would we talk about it? Hes not a defenwive midfielder.
He's unspectacular, which isn't a bad thing in itself, just that he isn't good enough in any position to make it his own. Fantastic squad player though.
It's surely not due to lack of options for left or centerback that he's not moved to defensive midfield. Right now, in the tour, there's the total of 6 players who already played leftback for us (although only 3 not injured 
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I'd love nothing more. But Mourinho doesn't seem to fancy him so I haven't really considered it. I think he would be great there in honesty because both Blind and Herrera have really stepped up their defensive game.
He's almost too talented to be a squad player and would start at a lot of mid table pl teams or abroad, but he doesn't seem to be the type to kick up a fuss over playing time. Handy player to have though and very reliable.
If he were a bit taller Mourinho would play him. Would love to see him in the DM role.
His one missing quality is pace but I'm thinking if there's pace all around him, plus a much better CB pairing than we've had since he's been at the club plus the pace and athleticism of Pogba and Herrera in front of him, surely it can work?
Is Herrera much taller?
This is it. On paper, it makes so much sense but, for an unknown reason (to us, at least) José doesn't fancy giving him a go.
6ft 1 I think. Deceptively tall.
Not for me in midfield. Always think he's much better with the game in front of him which he gets generally from centre back. Felt he got caught out of position a little too often and didn't cover the ground quick enough in defensive midfield.
Very good squad player but it's centre back or left back for me bar an emergency.
Very good squad player but it's centre back or left back for me bar an emergency.
Honestly, I trust him in any of his three positions. His head is just screwed on right. Whatever his weaknesses for each role, he thinks his way around them. It amazes me that because he's not world class in any of his positions, people have forgotten that he's also rarely anything other than very good in them. And he makes the team play better.
I'd like to see him given a go there. After all, if you're the DM and Herrera is your box to box man, you're already laughing because he's going to do so much of your job for you. The one thing Herrera doesn't bring is that macroscopic vision and tempo-setting that Carrick has, but Blind definitely has it too, and the base of midfield is the place to do it from.
I'd like to see him given a go there. After all, if you're the DM and Herrera is your box to box man, you're already laughing because he's going to do so much of your job for you. The one thing Herrera doesn't bring is that macroscopic vision and tempo-setting that Carrick has, but Blind definitely has it too, and the base of midfield is the place to do it from.
I've always said I wanna see him play more in midfield. He's a good passer and has a great football brain.
Great squad player but not a lot to say about him in the offseason really
Blind is one of the very best things LVG gave us. I would also be very happy to see him as a CDM
He should really be starting between Bailly and Lindelof in a back three with a new deeplying playmaker just ahead of him.
And who is that mysterious deep-lying playmaker, a reincarnation of Pirlo?
Definitely a great player to have in the squad. Can play across the defence, at DM and in the middle of the pitch. Does a decent job in all those positions too.
Not first choice for me but i'd 100% keep him. Seems like a nice guy too.
Not first choice for me but i'd 100% keep him. Seems like a nice guy too.
I'm with OP. Call me crazy but I really believe that blind could very much become our own Pirlo, just give him a fair chance.
Well hopefully we can find someone. If I had a multimillion scouting network at my disposal and this was my full time job, I'd sure tell you.
I understand, I just don't feel we should change the setup in that way when we can't even imagine who such decisive player might be.
I think last season some of our better performances came with a back three and it's not surprising because our squad is most suited to such a formation. We don't have quality wide forwards to consistently perform but combining Martial/Rashford up top with Lukaku can help our strikers play in their preferred positions. We can also have a midfield three which would bring the best out of Pogba. Blind would be the main man in heart of that defense protected by two solid center backs. We actually only need another midfielder to complete our first eleven.
I'm sorry, but I bet some of those games you're thinking we weren't even playing a back three, probably something closer to a 4-4-2, like Chelsea at home. Anyway, it was very reactive setups from us to counter teams using also very specific formations like Rostov (twice).
He is 6 ft. Blind is 5 10 or 5 11. Not a lot in it
Agree completely. But unfortunately the only person whose opinion really counts clearly doesnt. Sad to say I reckon this will be Blind's last season with us.
I like Daley as a DM, but I think the reason why he doesn't play is that him pressing up high leaves holes that Mourinho doesn't like.
I do think it's a failure that Jose hasn't got the best out of him and played him where he belongs though. Jose's responsibility is exactly to get the best out of every man, but he seems to be failing on Blind.
If applied correctly, that would be 40-50m saved on a new DM - leaving us more money for a Griezmann type of signing.
I do think it's a failure that Jose hasn't got the best out of him and played him where he belongs though. Jose's responsibility is exactly to get the best out of every man, but he seems to be failing on Blind.
If applied correctly, that would be 40-50m saved on a new DM - leaving us more money for a Griezmann type of signing.
Not sure I agree with that. Mourinho's responsibility is to get the best out of his squad and deliver results. As I said in the post above yours I rate Blind and would play him in midfield myself but if Mourinho doesnt feel the same way that is absolutely his prerogative.
But I guess we can both agree that he has not gotten the best out of Daley Blind? Mou's job must be to put him in the best position where he delivers the most to the squad?
It's not like he's behind Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira - It's mostly Carrick who's aging that he is up against. During the season, Blind has proven he is still the man for some long key-passes over the defence, so in theory he should fit the role alright.
I often play him there on Fifa and be does a fine job, however in real life hes too slow and would often get overun on the counter attack.
Great CB unless hes being bullied by a big CF and more than capable at LB.
Great squad player!
Great CB unless hes being bullied by a big CF and more than capable at LB.
Great squad player!
Oh yes I agree he hasnt got the best out of Blind. Though Blind has done pretty well in defence. My point is getting the best out of Blind isnt his job, getting the best out of United is his job. He evidently thinks the best thing for United is for Blind to be backup.
Very intelligent player but for me he's too slow to play that position. I don't think its his physicality thats the issue at all its the fact he can be ran past far too easily.
I think his best position is definitely left back.
I think his best position is definitely left back.
Interesting discussion, for me it makes sense on paper but he reality is quite different.
As others have pointed out, over 3 seasons and more than 1 manager he has very rarely been considered for a midfield role.
He is a good passer, rightly pointed out. I think his understanding of the game and positional play are also massive assets to his game. I think he would do an adequate job as our DM, with Pogba and Herrera in front of him in a midfield trio. I don't think it will happen however. Which leads me to think what will happen to him. We have Lindelof and Bailly for CB, with Jones, Smalling and Rojo as backup. Darmian was 1st choice LB and Shaw may have a run this year.
So where does Blind fit in? His best shot is LB, but cant see him being the 1st choice long term. He wont be a regular at CB unless we have an injury crisis and he seemingly isn't fancied at DM.
He is very useful, has the right mentality and commitment. 100% keep in the squad.
My argument for him in DM is that he wouldn't be far off a Carrick level, if we signed Matic then surely Blind would be just as capable? I do think that Blind would be a dream if we were 2-0 in a game, but if the game was tight or we were 1 down we would need a bit more from our DM in terms of closing the opposition, getting the ball back and distributing it faster.
As others have pointed out, over 3 seasons and more than 1 manager he has very rarely been considered for a midfield role.
He is a good passer, rightly pointed out. I think his understanding of the game and positional play are also massive assets to his game. I think he would do an adequate job as our DM, with Pogba and Herrera in front of him in a midfield trio. I don't think it will happen however. Which leads me to think what will happen to him. We have Lindelof and Bailly for CB, with Jones, Smalling and Rojo as backup. Darmian was 1st choice LB and Shaw may have a run this year.
So where does Blind fit in? His best shot is LB, but cant see him being the 1st choice long term. He wont be a regular at CB unless we have an injury crisis and he seemingly isn't fancied at DM.
He is very useful, has the right mentality and commitment. 100% keep in the squad.
My argument for him in DM is that he wouldn't be far off a Carrick level, if we signed Matic then surely Blind would be just as capable? I do think that Blind would be a dream if we were 2-0 in a game, but if the game was tight or we were 1 down we would need a bit more from our DM in terms of closing the opposition, getting the ball back and distributing it faster.
He's a defender and so far that's how both LVG and Mou saw/see him. Versatile enough to play multiple positions but we aren't winning a title with him starting for us regardless.
He's too slow and lacks the positional sense to play there long-term. Surprised we haven't seen him play there in lesser matches but he's a left-back in Jose's head and barring another crisis at centre-back that's where he'll play nearly all of his matches I imagine.
I'm not sure I disagree. It's just that we've seen the peaks of Daley Blind when he played DM under Van Gaal. That, I think is better performances than what Carrick has shown last season - So in some way, I think he could get more out of the team as a whole if he could make him go back to that form.
It's Mou's choice and he has the full right - it's just costly to buy a Matic/Dier, who Blind could do just as well as, if applied correctly.