and tbh the fact that mata comes narrow means that the right back has alot of space to make runs and crosses into the box. as i said he did well. only just wanted a bit more in attack, but thats just being slightly over critical maybe
36
Season Average Rating
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and tbh the fact that mata comes narrow means that the right back has alot of space to make runs and crosses into the box. as i said he did well. only just wanted a bit more in attack, but thats just being slightly over critical maybe
I think he looks like the average right back, which makes him a lot more solid than Valencia
He can cross, he can use his left foot, and he looks strong. And he only cost what? 13m or so? 
Looks solid. Really like him.
What I meant is that Mata generally looks inside when he cuts in from the right, he isn't necessarily looking for the overlap like Young was. Obviously it's a new partnership on the right and will take some work.
He's new in general and will take some time to adapt. But I'm happy his excellent defending has carried over and continued.
I thought he was MOTM, he certainly got Irwin's vote of confidence.
Like Shaw the previous summer, for me he will be this window's best buy. He was mostly unheard of in England but in Italy he gets compared to Maldini and Cabrini a lot by the media and those past legends. Even Italy veterans like Materazzi have very high praise for him. Materazzi went as far as saying we signed the best wingback in the world.
Love his composed passing.
Excellent signing, what a bargain he will turn out to be. Him on the right, Shaw on the left, fantastic pair of fullbacks.
He did a great job. His positioning was much better than the first two games and looked dangerous when he gained the line.
Scared the hell out of me when he was down, though.
Scared the hell out of me when he was down, though.
You can see that he is a proper defender. Good reading of the game and positioning, he will become a great player for us
Really like him.
We seemed fine last season for the short time it was Rafael/Herrera and Mata on the right. It was when Valencia came into the picture it stalled a bit.
Big fan. Gets the job done with minimal fuss and very composed on the ball.
Amazing, defensively solid without being offensively impotent, some here will want you to believe such right backs don't exist. Really happy with him, shrewd bit of business.
Another showcase of Valencia being criticized for nothing. During our best spell (Tottenham, Liverpool, City etc.) last season, Valencia was our starting RB who performed consistently well. Him, Herrera and Mata combining down the right worked well. His final ball might leave a lot to be desired, but overall he had a good season.
As Rafael was full of injuries, Darmian seems like a good replacement. I don't think RB will be a problem, regardless of which of these two plays.
Seems to have slotted into the lineup rather seamlessly. Lets see how he fares at full speed when the season starts.
I think Valencia did well, but quite often when he got the ball he turned back, which slowed down the attacks on that side. Darmian seems more willing to get into the box or byline and put a cross in and obviously he can defend as he is a natural defender. It isn't Valencia fault that he was asked to play at RB/wingback. That was down to as you say Rafael always being injured.
He doesn't look like a new player. And thats sort of the biggest compliment I can give him. He's just slotted into the team almost seamlessly. He's not flashy, he just gets the job done.
One of his crosses in the first half last night was a peach too. I'd forgotten what its like having a right back that can cross a ball.
One of his crosses in the first half last night was a peach too. I'd forgotten what its like having a right back that can cross a ball.
Eyes off. Herrera is yours as long as Matteo. One day I'll have the tagline "humongous twit obsessed with Darmian".
No but really, he's a great player. I have really high hopes for him. He'll probably be our best signing this summer. Only 25 and with plenty of room for improvement.
Quality performance. Solid defensively and an intelligent and "aware" passer.
Darmobot at it again.
He's going to love Rojo when he meets him. He can give him a lecture about tattoos.
for the money he's okay, he's been solid but nothing special. He needs to step up to get ahead of Valencia first and one day he can perhaps reach Rafael level.. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.
Still baffled about how easily we let Rafael go, younger and much better player atm perhaps too injury prone for LVG's liking..
Still baffled about how easily we let Rafael go, younger and much better player atm perhaps too injury prone for LVG's liking..
Rafael is good, but he isn't that good not on a world class level.
Rafael's been world class two seasons back, only injuries held him back to claim it. He also became ne of the most consistent players through the dark season under Moyes and before that. Not saying he would ever become injury free but he was quite unlucky with rib and cheekbone inujuries last year. I think it was premature to get rid of at least decent right back who is experieced and still very young - younger than Darmian who my bet will be nothing special in his first season but then on we will see.
I want the Italian to succeed for the sake of our team and he's quite likeable character too but he needs time to develop and we already had complete rightback with clearly higher potential on our books in Rafael which is shame imo..
How can you know that Rafael has higher potential than Darmian who has just started for us. Maybe you saw him in action in Italy but I doubt it.
Potential doesn't matter much if the player isn't able to reach it. We can't wait around forever.
C'mon, I liked Rafael too. But it's a stretch to say that he was ever world-class.
Rafael was world class?
World class is when you describe Lahm or Alves. Rafael has never had a season that has matched those two. The word world class gets thrown around way too often.
World class is when you describe Lahm or Alves. Rafael has never had a season that has matched those two. The word world class gets thrown around way too often.
Is it just me or he looks a bit...erm...mediocre?I'm fine with a solid defender but can't get the excitement.He looks like the type of player that most of the fans will want to get rid after 2-3 seasons (not myself but knowing our fans it looks likely to me)
For what it's worth, my housemate is from Turin and supports Torino. He says we've signed a great defender and emphasised his 'no nonsense' approach.
the only world-class Rafael I can think of is Rafael Nadal
back to the topic, really refreshing to see such determined defending like that. Valencia for all his tank is never a proper defender
back to the topic, really refreshing to see such determined defending like that. Valencia for all his tank is never a proper defender
I don't think even when fit he would have played. He is defensively inconsistent. In 12/13 he was good but he hasn't been defensively sound in 2 years. Vardy brushed him off with a shove. I don't see darmian or Valencia being shoved away with such ease
Mediocre? Based on 2 games or more?
He's a type of player who will and should be at the club for years to come and who will make that position his own. THat's my expectation anyway.
-btw I like Rafael but some posters are overrating him immensely.
No? Unless if you're expecting him to be the next Alves, Maicon or Lahm bombing down the flanks.
It's just you, I think.
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