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@Fortitude
Toninho Cerezo:
Toninho Cerezo may or may not be ranked in the top tier of defensive midfielders, but what's indisputable, is that when it comes to skill, talent and the ability to dribble through swathes of players or just generally shield and work himself, and the ball, from a precarious position into a positive one, he is in the very top echelon to have played the role. It's not just the issue of him winning or intercepting the ball, it's the fact that once he has it, he's either going to release it, hurting your team, or make it extremely difficult for you to then win it back off him. He is my dependable hub and a player subtle enough behind Maradona for himannv to probably disregard in terms of giving him the full attention he warrants.
Cerezo is not a man you can leave open, but with Maradona ahead, and the fear of him getting the ball, or turning goal-ward with it, there cannot be an impasse - the chain reaction of the opposition anticipating the play and moving toward Maradona invites Cerezo to move further and further forward, at which point, Cerezo, equally adept in combination passing and triangulation, or simply moving into the final third for a shot on goal himself, presents a threat in his own right.
There is potential for Cerezo to be the match-winner in a deadlocked game.
Luka Modric:
What you will see constantly in this compilation is the intent and the proactivity that, in and of itself, forces action out of the opposition. Modric is one of the premier ball-retainers and progressive passers since the turn of this century and is no slouch in his own right pitted against more revered names in the draft. He is not a particularly standout figure in my midfield, and the one I will least wax lyrical over, partly because everyone here will have seen his run of seasons in full glory, but also because, in my team, his understated impact is a given whilst at the same time, its effect will keep himmanv's own midfield honest.
Is Modric a player his side attempt to hunt, or, not being particularly used to chasing, do they aim to block passing lanes? This matchup is one of the few in the draft that I would expect to have such a mirrored question in midfield.
As outlined, my intention will be to press and force the action-reaction chain with the backline pushed right up behind my midfield. Because of this, I expect my midfield to be doing more of the passing and moving towards their goal than they can towards mine.
Maradona's impact:
I'm not sure Maradona needs any kind of introduction?
In possession, he can pass and move and dribble to a level of absolute distraction, but just as pointedly, he is cunning enough to already be working himself into open space or showing towards the ball the moment a turnover is achieved - both Cerezo and Modric have the ability to find him with a prompt, forward pass, or work the space to enable swift progression up the pitch, and from there,
he is the best player in the entire draft at carrying the ball straight through opposing midfields and into the final third - this was Maradona's bread and butter,
which led to him being the most fouled player in Serie A at its most cynical peak; the most fouled player at a World Cup ('90); the player with most accumulated fouls in a single game (vs. Italy '82) and it is a certainty that Bemner or Desailly (if used in midfield) will concede multiple, high risk fouls in dangerous areas. Maradona went up against a who's who of defenders and defensive midfielders in Serie A, and cumulative fouls against him at International speak for themself - not to be blunt, but in a question of himannv's midfield containing him, with his midfield personnel, the odds are severely stacked against them. These are the Maradona peak years. The years in which he achieved the main body of his feats for the ages. The time in which he was Serie A's top-scorer, from midfield. His threat cannot be understated or played down.
It would be remiss of any opposition not to cater for Maradona, which generally means anything from attempting to kill supply to him; using a man-marker, or double, or even, triple-teaming,
at which point, the opposition are drawn towards my main man and away from whoever it is they are [supposed to be] marking. This is inevitable and undeniable - a player that has to be stopped at all costs - and it is from this panic that my wily forwards can constantly move themselves into open spaces ahead of the little Argentine where, for the most part, they are going to be found, by Maradona himself, or via either Cerezo or Modric off of any basic layoff from Maradona who, as stated, will have prised open
some part of the pitch ahead of him.
Kohler's impact:
We will play an extremely high line with one of the best pressing, haranguing man-markers of all time in Jurgen Kohler leading the line, and the charge, backed comfortably by the astute reading of play that Rio at his peak provides. Kohler at his athletic pinnacle is Vidic, Terry and Desailly rolled into one refined package - a better reader of play than any of them, more aggressive, faster and tidier than them all, an absolute terror for attackers and one even his exalted team-mate in this side had ceaseless 50/50 wars with.
There's no point in saying he is Superman (although he's known as one of the
Fussballgott's in his homeland), but what he is is extremely difficult to get past, and further to that, his tactical awareness, prescience over the first few yards allied to his powers of recovery, ensure only a handful of strikers in this draft would get wrong side of him and then manage to breakaway, and further, get a shot at goal (or any joy at all) on the other side of him. Not to knock Shearer, but Kohler had better players and strikers than him tearing their hair out. If a refresher is needed:
Although I've picked a perceived 3 year peak, the truth is, Kohler was as consistent as he was brilliant, so even with some of the footage falling outside the allotted apex period, the constant remains his exceptional, well, everything. His pace dropped some in his Dortmund years, but made way for a level of footballing intelligence that shone through during an illustrious career. Kohler is the adept - the one who can switch comfortably between tussling with Shearer and going up against the skillful, dogged and nimble Sivori.
Backline as a whole:
With our pace off the mark, and recovery time on the spin, the backline can play tight to the midfield and, in turn, allow the midfield to be proactive and press forward a good ten yards themselves. Both of my defenders have no problem at all hitting a 10-30 yard pass forward between the lines into my midfield. My fullbacks can both hold position, but their main objective will be to provide width and additional outlet options for the midfield, all three of whom will easily find the passes to enable. Jardine is expected to work his flank and get up, and sometimes ahead of, Bene, who is naturally inclined to find some route to goal or lay the ball off on the inside. Jardine will provide crosses and opportunistic work on the overlap. He has the ability, composure and competence to pick the smartest option and play balls into that vicinity. Jusufi has a multitude of functions in my team. He could play tucked in; he can work wide; he can be the studious anchor that enables Mbappe to focus on reading the defensive line and selecting when and when not to dart to the byline, the box, or involve himself in the passing buildup.
Mbappe & Bene:
Mbappe has proven time and again that as well as working across the defensive line to either side of his CB, he will dart to a back post looking to connect with driven crosses. Across my frontline, every one of my forwards will work a rebound or forage for the easy goal off of a cross - although I have one designated #9 striker in this side, both my attackers are no strangers to the #9 role and play it with enough nous to be a threat that can occupy quality defenders. The importance of which is they can think like out and out strikers inside the box whilst sticking to the parameters of what they're in the team to provide.
If there is any doubt about Mbappe on the left, hopefully this will put your minds to rest:
Nearly all the work in the video is down the left flank, with Mbappe exhibiting what I just mentioned and even providing left-footed crosses.
There is no time when Mbappe can be left open - catching him, even with a starting position 10 yards off, is a big ask. He has the kind of pace that will leave even a quick FB for dead. Staying tight, and trying to prevent the turn is a smarter option for himannv than trying to push on - if he has opted to leave Mbappe open, I believe that's an inlet for me all game long because raw pace, plus Mbappe's intelligent, and often, decisive actions, will force the CB/stopper on his side to shuffle over, which... leaves Van Basten with an isolated CB who then has to worry about Bene moving in from his blind side, determined to affect play.
Last but not least,
Bene will be my wildcard out on the right.
An exceptional wing-forward-cum striker,
rated constantly in world xi's of the 60's , who will gladly work across the line in pursuit of goals, but is comfortable and adept as a very dangerous wing-forward
worthy of a double-team in his own right. The question for himannv with Bene is whether he keeps someone tight to him, or wishes for the gambit of 1-on-1 isolationist runs he will embark upon - I feel himannv is between a rock and a hard place here irrespective of a 3-man, 4-man or even 5-man defence. The 3-man, I will welcome all day as, without that final world class CB/sweeper, I will always have an overload situation because of the weak link; the 4 pushes either Beckenbauer back or Bergomi out to fullback, either of which weakens the CB pairing, giving Van Basten more room to work in, and the 5 compromises his midfield.