You honestly mean that? Please explain. I'm not having a dig at you I geniunely want to know what you think about it. Both players played for both our teams and I can't say I agree. Aldo I rate Evans higher than Lindelof and Smalling.
Unfortunately, I do.
In his first season with us, pre World Cup, he looked solid and a solid replacement for Robert Huth / Wes Morgan. Both who were deemed to be getting on a bit at that point. He was different in that he’d bring the ball out from the back and play football.
He joined us when we were still fairy rigid in a defensive shape, with a back four that invite crosses into the box, for us to then head clear and us picking up the 2nd ball, then counter attacking. He looked really good in this system.
When Claude Puel started to change the style of play, he became more exposed, as we were not playing as deep. His runs up the field left massive gaps, which when turned over would give us headaches, as Morgan / Evans became exposed, as they aren’t the quickest either.
Maguire isn’t a leader from what I’ve seen. Morgan was never a great leader and if you at our great escape season, it took Huth coming in to organise that defence. We saw similar traits with Evans when he started to play in that he just organises the team better.
I do think Evans has got better with age, coupled with being injured less frequently. He had a fairly torrid last season with you and was shipped out.
It’s about styles. More than one way of skinning a cat. If you allow space around Maguire, he’ll get skinned 7 times out of 10.
You play a compact style with a player next to him that organises that back line, he’d be great. AWB could play that system. Not sure on your other players.