No need for the compilation man, I've seen enough of Silva for City, Valencia and Spain to know that he can play on the left or right wing. I disagree with you that he is equally effective there as he is in the middle. It's nothing personal for Silva as I feel the same way for the host of technical AM's who get played out wide, whether it's Mata, Ozil, Silva or whoever.
For me Silva is best centrally, as he can pick up the ball as much as possible and have the most passing options available to him. On the wing I think you lose some of his playmaking. He's still good there but I don't think that it is his best position.
Fair enough mate. However, he has been playing at an extraordinarily high level for City and Spain for years in that inside right position. He isn't performing as an isolated right winger mind but rather an inside right midfielder of sorts who will still see the lion's share of the ball. He's performed exceptionally there for years there so we'd have to agree to disagree on that.
Neither Ozil nor Mata have exhibited the same degree of effectiveness in that role. So much so that many seem to regard it as Silva's best position and not the central role. Like you, I don't like creative No 10s being shoehorned out wide like Ozil or Mata but Silva's made that position his own and has been genuinely class out there. If you think he's slightly better centrally then fair enough but I don't think its much of a moot point tbh. We could easily swap Müller's and Silva's positions and avoid this furore, but there is a reason why we are playing these versatile players where they are right now.
Am I up against 2 managers here? I thought assistants weren't allowed here but
@Joga Bonito seems awfully biased.
I'm his scout which is exactly why I can't vote for this match.
s the trio of an out of positioned Müller, out of positioned Silva and Sterling going to exploit counter attack
Silva and Muller aren't out of positions. Silva's played that inside right role to perfection for City and Spain whilst Müller is Müller and can play any of the front 4 positions to an equally high level. He's played 19 games this season for Bayern from central areas whilst appearing out wide and up front for Germany in the WC. The Raümsdeuter is that versatile and complete.
with those 30% that they will have the ball?
You are making your team sound like Barça when it isn't. Would having Thiago, Modric and Busquets help you have an edge in the possession battle? Most certainly. Are the risky and direct styles of Hazard, Cuadrado and Adriano going to sucessfully augment that posession based style and help you domimate posession to 60-70%? Or is playing an extreme posession based game going to suit that extremely individualistic front trio of yours who are risk takers, love to take on players and go on solo runs? Diarra and Matuidi in combination with Müller being a pest for Biscuits isn't going to be a waltz in the park for your midfield either.
Srna + Cuadrado against Evra and Hazard against Juanfran. That's not a contest either.
I'd say the left flank is a fairly even battle and can go either way, although I'm inclined to give our flank the edge due to the presence of Evra and I'd back him to deal with and pin back Cuadrado. Srna is a fine wingback but he does have the pace and trickery of Sterling to deal with and can't afford to be too exuberant.
You are right about the Juanfran vs Hazard being a no contest though, I'd give you that.
It was all perfectly set for Mourinho. A goalless draw at Vicente Calderon meant that Chelsea were favourites for the CL semi final second leg at the 'fortress' Stamford Bridge. Mourinho, more than anyone, knew what was at stake here, a CL final place against his ex-employers Real Madrid, who'd acrimoniously fired him, held in Lisbon of all places. Surely a typical Jose 'dark arts' defensive masterclass against the inexperienced Atleti side and Chelsea were through to the finals for that mouthwatering final against Real, where Mourinho would have his revenge and gleefully rub it in the faces of Casillas and Ronaldo.
Predictably, Mourinho fielded a side with the likes of Luiz, Ramires and even full back Azpilicueta in midfield. A lot was hinging on the mercurial Hazard and he'd fire Chelsea and Mourinho into the final, surely?
No. Atleti and Juanfran were having none of that. In short, he shat on Mourinho's (and Hazard) parade.
Juanfran put up a masterclass, creating a goal and playing a major part in the other as they won 3-1 at the 'fortress' Stamford Bridge. He kept Hazard in his pocket and it was Hazard who was struggling to keep up with Juanfran
, leading Mourinho to criticise Hazard with Juanfran ending the match as MOTM.
http://outsideoftheboot.com/2014/05...is-juanfrans-far-post-runs-win-it-for-atleti/
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation....-out-of-context-jose-mourinho-and-eden-hazard
http://clubatleticodemadrid.com/noticias/juanfran-fue-elegido-man-of-the-match
Simeone summed him up perfectly when he claimed having Juanfran was like having a full back and a winger rolled into one.
Here, they are not in very defensive minded team.
Nope. We have a similar set up to the Atleti one, strangely enough, albeit not too many similarities in playing style. 3 of their back 4 augmented with Evra who's a similar prototype of FB to F.Luis and an upgrade at that.
2 CMs who aren't the most flamboyant of midfielders or great individuals (bar Gabi ofc) but rather tidy and functional players with decent passing abilities and primarily rock solid defensive attributes (Gabi, M.Suarez, Tiago). Which is what I'd describe both Diarra and Matuidi as.
They have a tricky wide player in Turan (Sterling) and a roaming wide playmaker in Koke (Silva). Both their widemen are better grafters but Sterling is no slouch in this regard and can put in a shift.
A hustle and bustle CF who presses a lot and is a physical threat in Costa. Lewa is capable of doing that without the same degree of physicality but with more finesse, technique and better link up play. Same thing with Raul Garcia for the pesky Müller with less physicality but the same industry and a significantly better all round game.
So it isn't really a side brimming with passengers or anything and they won't be overwhelmed here by any means.
His team isn't fast or clever enough on the break to utilize that.
There is more than enough pace in Lewa, Sterling, Müller, Evra, Matuidi and Juanfran. An abundance of craft and finesse in all of that front 4.
Firstly the narrative of your team absolutely dominating possession and outplaying us is something I don't necessarily agree with.
As I've said before your midfield trio is extremely talented on the ball and will have the edge in possession as it would against most teams in this draft, no two ways about that. However, you don't have the overall set up nor the personnel to sustain and build on that possession advantage. Besides we have the personnel who can deal with your midfield and not be overwhelmed.
Secondly, I'd say our attack is set up to have much more joy than yours. Lewa vs Badstuber & Garay (who aren't a complementary pair with their severe lack of pace) as opposed to Adriano vs Godin & Miranda. Who will be keeping track of Muller's runs here? Will Azpilicueta be able to stop Silva's (in his prime the best attacking playmaker in the world after Iniesta) craft and intelligent play when his real strengths are 1v1 play and duelling?
There is also the issue of a real lack of defensive fortitude, steel and ball winners in your midfield. It shouldn't really be an issue for a possession dominating team who don't really need to do much 'raw defending' but your team isn't fully set up to do so, bar the midfield obviously. If you choose to play a possession based style, then you aren't utilizing Hazard, Adriano and Cuadrado properly and they won't thrive in a non direct system. You can't have your cake and eat it here.
Oh I could be wrong here but did you change your vote
@crappycraperson ?
. Maybe we finally get to see it again in the upcoming weeks when Lahm returns.
