The dumb logic was precisely about saying he'd be wasted as a 6. He is enough talented to be good as either 6 or 8 without wasting of his abilities
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So many times this season he’ll have the ball on the sideline or be pressured by an opponent, and I’ll think “surely he’ll lose possession here”, but then he’ll dribble or pass out of trouble. That’s the best compliment i can give him. Any other player including rashford, garnacho, martial I’ll think “yea he can beat the defender here, he’s fast/strong enough” but then they’ll fall over or get dispossessed easily to everyone’s disappointment.
Waste is a strong word I suppose. I don’t even think we’re disagreeing, we just value subtly different things.
I'd like to see him as a roaming playmaker, he's excellent in every phase of play and shouldn't be limited to any particular area of the pitch. Provided he can stay fit, the midfield should be built around him, he's the real deal and definitely amongst one of the best young talents around.
Pretty much, it's a bit unprecedented isn't it, I can only remember fabergas and to a degree pedri having such an impact on major club at such a tender age and both were considered untouchable by their respective clubs.
If he keeps his meteoric rise which would see he fast becoming one of the very best around if it continues it might be worth planning the midfield long term with him in mind, not a bad proposition to have.
Who would people like to see alongside him next season in an ideal world? I would like a real ball winning, workhorse midfielder with the ability to retain possession. Someone like Hargreaves or Fletcher. Can't really think of anyone current that fits the bill.
Someone with his technical abilities but with more mobility and pace. Dont want another techinically deficient midfielder like Casemiro. It is clear that elite football has become even more technical inthe last 2 years
Warren Zaire-Emery is definitely of the same standard. Possibly even better. He’s top class, and has been in that PSG midfield since 17.
He's also so good for his age. Maybe I am biased but Mainoo feels like different gravy though
Onana at Everton
I agree, but we only play a game per week now, so by defeault he's managed properly (because we've been shit and knocked out of the CL).
He's so good, well beyond his years.
Yeah but I worry that we’re straight the into the euros and then next season back into them all (assuming we finish CL spot)
I really hope we add good depth options this summer so we are not overly reliant
Good as Mainoo is I think Emery may even have the edge mainly due to being athletically superior. Both are fantastic technicians - super composed and mature beyond their years - but Emery covers the ground so much better and that’s a great asset to have. Not much in it though.
Emery is indeed very good. Already clearly PSG's best midfielder. It amazes me how these kids play with so much maturity when you see other older players still play like they're teens
Teenage prodigies always fascinate me in that regard, it's like Luke Littler in the darts, just seemingly come out of nowhere and just show up all the competition. The confidence these teenagers have in their own abilities is incredible.
So basically a Scholes role where he can dictate the tempo, playmake from deep but also contribute to attacks with creativity, assists and some goals?
Joao Neves
Can the god awful ‘Kicking a Blue’ song be replaced with his name?
Too early to say. A lot will depend on his physical profile as he develops, and then it also remains to see over a long period whether he has the instinct to make a difference in the final third. I’ve seen a lot of people say he’s wasted as a 6. We can’t know that yet. You require big energy to be an 8 for example and need to cover all the ground. We have to see his capabilities there as he grows. It would have been wrong to flag players like Carrick or Redondo at 18 and say they will be box to box players because they have good feet. Likewise Pirlo. They didn’t have the engine for it.
Isn’t he supposed to be a lightweight?
I agree. He isn't the finished article physically yet. He will become both faster and stronger and hopefully increase his engine. As of now, I think his mobility is my only concern, especially the way he tracks back. With the ball, he is sublime.
And short.
Sure Rashford can teach him a thing or two.
Kind of, a bit more like Frenkie I'd say though given the dribbling ability.
Frenkie is much more of a power house though, isn't he? I'd love for him to have the acceleration and dribbling of an Iniesta, the ball carrying ability of Frenkie and long range passing and dictating of Scholes... I think that would make him at least a half decent PL player?
the new scholes 
That would probably get him games in the PL alright.
Frenkie is a powerhouse but I feel like Kobbie is going to develop physically over the next few years and add more pace and endurance. He's growing into his frame currently, he's shot up over the last year or so and will likely fill out over the next few seasons. It's quite remarkable that he's been as good as he has been given his physical limitations and also shows a massive potential for further improvement.
If we stop singing that and 20 times 20 times, I think we'll become successful again.
Yeah, I agree. Seems like there are a good few people here who genuinly believe that you reach your physical peak at 18. The truth is that with proper training you get faster, stronger and improve your stamina. Often, people do lose some agility quite early on, but again it depends on how you train.
If Mainoo does the right work in the gym and takes care of himself, and the club doesn't play him too much, then he might very well develop into a completely different player physically. He's sort of quick enough, but he's not a strong runner, if that makes sense...
Hargreaves had a terrible injury record, I think this was the transfer that began the "don't buy players from Germany".
Also Fletcher wasn't the quickest.
Good shout.
Clearly I don't mean I want someone who will struggle with injuries. But I think a Hargreaves style of player would suit us very well. Worked very hard, broke up the play, didn't give the ball away.
Regarding Fletcher I don't think he was noticeably slow. I also really don't think pace is the be all and end all for a central midfielder. Are any of Arsenal, Liverpool or City's midfielders particularly quick?
Could be realistic if they get relegated. Although if we were to raid them I think we'd be targeting Branthwaite first.
I think we need a CDM beside him.
Itll be Bruno & Mainoo next year with a 6. Casemiros legs have gone but it’s someone of that mold we need.
If either of the Madrid two become surplus to requirements due to signings (Tchouameni or Camavinga) they would be ideal.
Itll be Bruno & Mainoo next year with a 6. Casemiros legs have gone but it’s someone of that mold we need.
If either of the Madrid two become surplus to requirements due to signings (Tchouameni or Camavinga) they would be ideal.
Must admit I've not seen anything of him but he's obviously very highly rated and regularly linked with us. Would be a bold move to go into next season with two teenagers as our starting midfield...
Hargreaves payed 28 EPL games in 4 seasons. I actually don't remember him playing in the DM position - RB yes.
Rice top speed is deceiving. 33.72km
Declan Rice 3,272 412.9 11.36 33.72
Granit Xhaka 3,004 368.3 11.04 32.37
Thomas Par 2,485 289.3 10.48 34.48
Jorginho 1,281 158.9 11.16 30.05
Rodri is 29.8km
Szoboszlai is a mental.... 36.76km that is the second fastest this year. Faster than walker this season!
Anyway we need legs in there IMO, quick athletic players.
Man Utd 1:2 Fulham
27/31 passes today, always on the edge of the game when he should be constantly on the ball. Purely on Ten Hag, had Dalot and Cas coming deep to get the ball, with Mainoo pushing into the Mount/McT bermuda triangle of second ball chasing, Complete waste of his talents.
Midfield was a mess. Mainoo very peripheral when he’s the guy who you want on the ball more than anyone.
He needs help in midfield.
He needs a structure. This inshallah football isn't helping anyone in midfield
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