He’s played LB for the Whitecaps and Canada. Munich didn’t invent the idea of him playing LB. He’s been switching between LB and LW his entire life.
Alphonso Davies | Verbally agreed to join Real Madrid
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
We didn’t turn him down. Are people really so arrogant you think United just have first dibs on anyone and everyone?
Oh, right, the CONCACAF League + Gold Cup matches against weaker opposition
I was thinking all about the matches against tougher opponents; I didn't see any issues with him at left back against weaker opposition. As you said, against tougher opposition, however, I'd rather have him at a more attacking role than at left back. Put Samuel Adekugbe at left back, and we'd be fine.
Alright mate, chill out.
He's got a lot more in his toolbox than Robertson. And for the record he's got 2 seasons in the Bundesliga at a very high level.
The fact that people don't watch Bundesliga or Ligue 1 doesn't mean that Davies or Neymar are any less talented than the PL counterparts. (I mention Neymar as Caftards were waxing lyrical the other day - the guy has always been top notch)
He actually destroyed Messi Vidal and then ended semedos career in the run. If Messi would have done that everybody would be screaming
I think if developed as a LB, Saka is the next best I’ve seen. He always makes me think he’s a ‘Bayern Munich player’ when I watch him. I also reckon that if done soon enough, a top team will reap huge reward by getting Dwight McNeil and converting him to a LB.
His attacking productivity gets better and better. I honestly think that it's only a matter of time before he transitions back to a forward role again on the side. He's a monster. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they played him up front and he adapted to that and became a don.
To my untrained eye, the most impressing thing was his intelligence. When he receives the ball, there's no obvious passing option as Messi is approaching him, Busquets is near Thiago, and Perisic has both Semedo and Vidal blocking a passing route. By shifting the ball away from Messi, and therefore having his back to goal he creates illusion that he's troubled by the lack of options which initiates a more aggressive press by the aforementioned. He then takes multiple players out the game, and after the "shake and bake" its his intelligence once again where he takes that extra moment to delay the cross which takes Pique (shepherding the run of Lewandowski) out of the game.
Whatever - Kovac, injury etc. Maybe I've misremembered from MLS.
He played 74 minutes in the Bundesliga last season.
Point is, it takes 5 minutes of watching him to understand he's exceptional. Amazing athleticism. Nullified Sancho when they squared up against each other.
Sorry, I was drunk on the result and used tennis lingo for some reason
I've never stated that he isn't a great player. I'd have him in the top 3 LBs in the world right now easily. My point has always been that Robertson has shown the consistency in his high level performances for 2 years in a row now where they've won the PL and CL whereas Davies has only had one high level season*. Longevity and consistency to me is as important as current ability when considering the best in the world for a position. Also, despite how brilliant he plays and the type of attacking play he is capable of his productivity isn't better than Robertsons either so far. He's most definitely one of the best young talents in the world and can nail down his claim for best LB in the world in the future but it's no shame to be just off Robertson at the moment. I think an argument can be made for both.
*in Europe.
I’m aware thanks. I said he turned into a LB at Bayern. Meaning, exclusively a LB. Not switching to LW.
He’s also played almost all of his games for the Whitecaps at LW.
Of course, as the overlord for Canadian football on this forum, you knew this. But it didn’t matter; you had to get your daily dose of aggression in the form of a meaningless and pedantic point on the internet, as usual.
Have you watched him regularly?
Why would you do that when he's looking like the best attacking left back in the game since Marcelo was in his heyday? Having that threat from the full backs is more and more important. I don't think Liverpool want to push Alexander-Arnold further forward, but he still dictates a lot of their game.
Say what you want about the BL monopoly Bayern’s recruitment is scary. It’s efficient as hell.
Davies is more athletic, dominant and manipulates the ball better than Robertson. Robertson is a system player and Klopp gets the most out of him - but he's not prime Maldini or Roberto Carlos. TAA for example is a much better ball player than Robertson, I have no qualms putting him in a World 11.
We don't, but apparently they never bothered to take up the recommendation of the scout. Read about it straight from the article in an interview from that scout.
maybe we could convert chong into a leftback. Could turn out like this guy.
In fact he was moved backwards at Bayern. He came as an LW. When the season started, Alaba/Hernandez were our LB options. Hernandez and Sule got injured, Pavard was moved to RB because Kimmich moved to CDM, so Alaba was moved to CB and Davies to LB and was the surprise of the season by a country mile.
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Full Backs like TAA, Davies, Hakimi keep reinforcing the importance of attacking FBs in today's game. It has steadily turned into one of the most valuable position in Football, often used as a peripheral attacker/playmaker in so many teams with huge success. It's incredible that United are still to grasp this concept, we have fans here who keep talking about AWB's defensive tackles like they are equivalent to attacking actions. I'll take an attacking, buccaneering FB with average positioning and defensively but exceptional attacking wise anytime over a exceptional defensive FB with average attacking qualities.
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Wasn't Demetri Mitchell supposed to be that?
Perhaps, Chong may be better as leftback. However, just because a player from other team is this good, our player can't change position and be as good. This is same thing people keep talking about our players. Even this past week, people resurrected the try TFM as DM, which started as trying to find a Kante in our team.
Feel like AD would end up as attacker eventually. Much better on attack side. Don't know whether it's possible for him to massively improve the defensive side of his game. And it would need lots of work = time.
Such a brilliant player, with his pace it's so easy to defend and get into defensive position from attacking.
Probably best LB in the world now.
Probably best LB in the world now.
Kids just a monster
Hate this arguement.
Not all teams need to play with the same style. Liverpool play a very defensive midfield 3 to make up for attacking fullbacks. We play an attack minded mid 3 to make up for defensive fullbacks. Both work.
What would be more beneficial is sub options to change depending on the game.
I don't agree that putting a midfielder(TAA) at RB is the best & only worthwhile strategy.
Playing at LB, I was expecting his defensive work to be poor.
Nope, it's that good. He has all the physical tools to compensate for it.
We know already his attacking is that good, but interestingly he doesn't go all-out attacks like dribbling past players all the time like how youtube clips is giving that impression.
His decision makings on the ball at this young age is what impresses me the most. He knows what to do with the ball and always make the right play. Football intelligence.
Nope, it's that good. He has all the physical tools to compensate for it.
We know already his attacking is that good, but interestingly he doesn't go all-out attacks like dribbling past players all the time like how youtube clips is giving that impression.
His decision makings on the ball at this young age is what impresses me the most. He knows what to do with the ball and always make the right play. Football intelligence.
TAA, a midfielder who has hardly ever played in midfield, Great argument! Let me explain to you why I have brought the point of attacking FBs to the fore. The way most of the teams play today, there is hardly ever space in the midfield, they are compact, congested and well organised in the middle. As a result, majority of the space is available out wide. So, an attacking FB is afforded the time and space to make passes/runs and join the attack in ways it wouldn't be possible had he been playing higher up the field as an attacker or a midfielder. That is the biggest advantage players like TAA are provided with and you see them reaping the benefits. Trent wouldn't be half as effective if he played in midfield now. After 2-3 years, maybe but definitely not now.
Now, if we had been playing with both Bruno and Pogba in attacking positions together in a 4-3-3, it would have been different. But, neither Matic nor Fred are good enough as a single holding defensive player, hence Pogba stays back most of the time. Countless times you see AWB being provided the space to do something, he will make a lame back pass or dribble into useless pockets. An attacking FB in his position will not only provide an outlet for the attacker which Aaron does sometimes, he will also be able to make runs into the box to try to score/assist directly which he doesn't. Shaw had started to do that recently, although he still isn't that good in it.
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Let me guess we scouted him and didn’t sign him ?
Every player performs better in a specific system. I’ve followed Robertson since he was at Dundee United and he plays exactly as he does now as he did then (just better). People on here were worried that Sane would nullify Davies because of the way Bayern play right now which gives him so much space on that left side + people have also spoken of how their defence is set up to cover for his marauding runs so Davies is helped by a system too.
In terms of athleticism + dominant + manipulation - he’s quicker and more skilful but I wouldn’t say he’s stronger or has more stamina than Robertson. Stamina, deceiving strength and determination are some of Robertson’s biggest strengths. He’s also more tactically astute than Davies right now. The type of game Robertson plays doesn’t mean he has to “dominate” in the way that Davies does by taking people on with skill and dribbling but Davies is clearly better than him at that which is due to his time as a LW.
+ the only one using hyperbole and saying stuff like prime Maldini / Roberto Carlos is you. Neither Robertson or Davies are near that level yet, if at all. I’m just trying to look at this from a more balanced view point and take many factors into consideration.
I think Robertson is a massive prick and he plays for Liverpool so as an Everton fan I’d only be defending him as such if I truly believed it!
Apparently one of your scouts, and one with a good resume, scouted and recommended him continuously, but the higher ups wouldn't bite. Thanks.
Do a TLDR next time. Not reading that drivel when you start with 'let me explain to you'.
We had him on trial but didn’t offer him a contract.
That attitude is gonna get you far.
Obviously pre Ole and the new coaching set up
Obviously, Davies had signed for Bayern before Ole took over at United.