Diogo Dalot image 20

Diogo Dalot Portugal flag

2023-24 Performances


View full 2023-24 profile

5.5 Season Average Rating
Appearances
46
Clean sheets
11
Goals
2
Assists
5
Yellow cards
7
Red cards
1

Pronewbie

Peep
Joined
May 17, 2004
Messages
6,696
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In front of My Computer
Don't recall a noticeable brain-fart moment that resulted in a dangerous situation which is probably the only 2nd time ever. AWB is much better defensively though.
 

uwotm8

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
166
Played ok-ish yesterday. I'm just not a fan of this player. He seems sluggish and robotic.
Only stands out because he can receive the ball and play it under pressure (sometimes). That seems enough because we have had technically poor RBs for years.
Defensively not 'Him' either and is error prone. Crossing is not great either.

If we had a Luke Shaw equivalent on the right; our team would be much better for it.

Well that performance shut me up.

I like being proven wrong when it benefits the team though...
 

slored1

Full Member
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May 15, 2016
Messages
3,532
Was fantastic. Looked like he did in the first half of last season.
 

sebsheep

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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Jun 1, 2014
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11,285
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Here
Not his biggest fan, far from it, but that was a speedy recovery and a great block.
 

bond19821982

Last Man Standing champion 2019/20
Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
10,433
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Nnc
Dependable at what? We concede goals for fun from his side.
He probably answered some of it today. Seriously wtf is wrong with certain posters ? Won't give a credit to someone who they desperately want to flop.
 

RORY65

Full Member
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May 28, 2009
Messages
4,548
I usually think he's pretty average but that was a terrific block at a time when the game was still alive and he generally had a good game.
 

Stobzilla

Official Team Perv
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Jun 7, 2004
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21,963
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Grove Street, home.
I make that a good few games on the spin for him now. When he comes in central he is great, never afraid to progress the ball through dribbling either. Lovely to see.
 

NZT-One

Full Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
2,429
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Berlin
He finally had a great scene - I'll give him that. If he comes up with one great scene in every match, I will re-consider my thoughts about him. But for me, it just isn't enough. Shaw and Dalot are good fullbacks but we should aspire for more.
 

DWelbz19

Correctly predicted Portugal to win Euro 2016
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
34,090
Strange player. I think he’s actually quite good at a decent amount of things. I wonder if it is just feelings of grass being much greener with a lot seeing him as a player that is a clear “must improve” position.
 

dutchred

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Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,965
He's playing exactly how ETH used to play Timber at Ajax. When we attack he drops easily to fortify the midfield and enough speed to get back when necessary. Next step is to develop a good understanding with Garnacho
 

KrasHammerhand

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Newbie
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
179
Thought this was one of his best games he has played. Couple great defensive plays, great hustle. I am at the point he should always be starting over AWB
 

TempusFugit

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Newbie
Joined
Oct 16, 2020
Messages
253
He's material for a top RB. He has everything. Pace, power and technique. He makes some terrible mistakes and his football brain lets him down sometimes, but we should absolutely keep him. Just 24 as well, his weaknesses can be stamped out and he can get better.
 

Based Adnan

Full Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2014
Messages
4,140
He needs to improve by a fair amount to be first choice RB long term but I think he has it in him to be a squad option at least. Has the right profile and can fill in either side.

Needs to make sure his level doesn't drop though like we've seen previously.
 

Mike Smalling

Full Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2018
Messages
11,179
He’s doing pretty well these days. Not a big priority to replace him considering our other squad concerns.
 

Stadjer

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Apr 5, 2013
Messages
7,588
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The Netherlands
He had a good game. He should stop shooting though, he really likes to take a shot but it usually isnt the best choice. I dont mind keeping him at the club at all even if he isnt a world class full back.
 

marktan

Full Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
6,952
I think people are unnecessarily harsh on him. Fullback is a tough role, requiring both defensive and attacking abilities, which few players manage to be simultaneously excellent at. He's probably one of the best RBs in the league, certainly you can't just go off and find someone better. Reece James is better, but injured; Walker is better, but old. The occasional mention of replacing him will just lead to players like Darmian or Malacia, players who are far closer to the normal level of a fullback.

Funnily the way people talk of Dalot reminds me of the way people used to talk about Shaw circa 2019. After a certain point you have to acknowledge when a player has it, and if you can't see that, well it has more to do with your own inability to judge players.
 

NZT-One

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I think people are unnecessarily harsh on him. Fullback is a tough role, requiring both defensive and attacking abilities, which few players manage to be simultaneously excellent at. He's probably one of the best RBs in the league, certainly you can't just go off and find someone better. Reece James is better, but injured; Walker is better, but old. The occasional mention of replacing him will just lead to players like Darmian or Malacia, players who are far closer to the normal level of a fullback.

Funnily the way people talk of Dalot reminds me of the way people used to talk about Shaw circa 2019. After a certain point you have to acknowledge when a player has it, and if you can't see that, well it has more to do with your own inability to judge players.
I think, player talk wouldn't be as polarized when people would stop being so generous with over the top criticism and over the top "best in the league" stuff. Just look at the table, it tells you where we are. And we certainly are NOT there because everybody EXCEPT Dalot is shit. He solidifies his performances, that is a good thing. The question is, should we aspire for more - even though that certainly isn't a question for "during the season".
 

Berbasbullet

Too Boring For A Funny Tagline
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
20,323
Ten Hag has done a great job inverting him to a pseudo sweeper CDM when building up. I LOVE IT.
This! He’s great under pressure and actually a bit of a baller with his step overs, feints, and dribbles.

When he’s on he’s a very good footballer. For me he’s won the battle for right back spot.
 

criticalanalysis

Full Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Messages
6,259
He finally had a great scene - I'll give him that. If he comes up with one great scene in every match, I will re-consider my thoughts about him. But for me, it just isn't enough. Shaw and Dalot are good fullbacks but we should aspire for more.
I'm intrigued, what's a 'great scene' for you? Does his involvement in our first and second goals against Wolves count? The half turns under pressure in the Liverpool game and then that incredible recovery run late in the game just before he got sent off?

On one hand, nobody in this team is 'enough' but as far as Dalot goes as a prospect (yes because he's still relatively inexperienced and I believe has a lot of tools for potential), he's performing as well as someone can in this poorly coached team. I don't mean that in just a 'he's doing well for now for this level' but a 'he's doing well, almost in spite of our fundamental shortcomings'. Short of having a Lahm, Alves, Walker, Carvajal i.e all unobtainable, played their best football at the age Dalot is getting at now with more experience and in much more cohesive, settled dominant teams, who's realistically 'enough'?

I'd agree with Shaw not being enough because we know his (physical) limitations, he relies too much on his moments of inspiration to turn a meh game to good and he has too many lapses of positional concentration.
 

Abraxas

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Mar 6, 2021
Messages
6,073
He's turned into a good right back. I say good because he was probably below par at this level prior to ETH arriving so he's only really improved to that point rather than being exceptional. But overall he's definitely got better and routinely shows a good technical level in the buildup. I think he's also improved his physicality, he looks solid in the challenge. Defensively he is okay, pretty reasonable. Final third always leaves something to be desired overall but has moments. Not a major issue in this side, I don't think. I'd like to see some decent competition because AWB is not it.
 

Alemar

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Jul 11, 2017
Messages
7,631
Very good today, vital block, several other clearances, and was also active up front
 

NZT-One

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Mar 8, 2021
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Berlin
I'm intrigued, what's a 'great scene' for you? Does his involvement in our first and second goals against Wolves count? The half turns under pressure in the Liverpool game and then that incredible recovery run late in the game just before he got sent off?
Well, a great scene for me is when somebody pops up in my personal subjective view during a game. Today Dalot did with the great recovery action. Apart from that, he was alright but nothing out of the ordinary. That doesn't necessarily has to mean, he is bad - its just that I hoped that the RB we will ride into the sunset will pop out more often in a positive way. Can be offensively or defensively.

On one hand, nobody in this team is 'enough' but as far as Dalot goes as a prospect (yes because he's still relatively inexperienced and I believe has a lot of tools for potential), he's performing as well as someone can in this poorly coached team. I don't mean that in just a 'he's doing well for now for this level' but a 'he's doing well, almost in spite of our fundamental shortcomings'. Short of having a Lahm, Alves, Walker, Carvajal i.e all unobtainable, played their best football at the age Dalot is getting at now with more experience and in much more cohesive, settled dominant teams, who's realistically 'enough'?
I see your point and I consider my standpoint as pretty harsh towards him. I agree, he definitely is improving, slowly but surely. But apart from others I thought his level was rather meh and now he improved towards decent to good. I agree, he certainly has potential, he isn't weak, he isn't slow, his technical level is good, his defensive output is alright and in the attack he isn't sticking out negatively. But for me, I wish to see more. More moments that are great, where a fan (like me) can say "damn, this guy really has it in him, lets give him time, we might be onto something here". I just don't see it with him. This sounds more negative than it is meant, having him and AWB means that RB isn't that much of a priority right now, which is good. But I myself like the old Fergie setup, having one Fullback who is adventurous and active and is really helping things in the attack and one who is a bit more conservative and keeps it tight. Shaw was such an attacking threat back in the day - but right now, he is more the latter. And Dalot seems to be on a very similar trajectory. I think, we need more attacking output from our fullbacks, dangerous dribblings, good crosses something like that. I think, Shaws level is higher than Dalots which is why I think we should try to find this attacking masterpiece for the right side.

I'd agree with Shaw not being enough because we know his (physical) limitations, he relies too much on his moments of inspiration to turn a meh game to good and he has too many lapses of positional concentration.
Yes, I agree. I was never really onto the world class with the keypasses thing. He is a good player with a great skillset in theory, but I always think, he is leaving gas in the tank. He could do more, be more influential, more driving and so on - but he seems fine being part of a non-performing team (I exaggerate intentionally) as long as he isn't the one making the biggest mistake.
 

daba

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Jun 17, 2021
Messages
944
He's playing exactly how ETH used to play Timber at Ajax. When we attack he drops easily to fortify the midfield and enough speed to get back when necessary. Next step is to develop a good understanding with Garnacho
Still baffled we didn’t go for him in the summer, whilst shifting AWB and Lindelof/Maguire on. Made perfect sense given he can cover CB, RB, and LB and he’s just perfect for that inverted role.

He was looking really good for Arsenal pre his injury where he was playing in that role across both RB and LB.
 

CasaStreets

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Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
1,328
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Don't taze me, bro
Really enjoyed watching him play recently - certainly has the tools to be a top RB.

I was on the fence at the start of the season between him and AWB, but Dalot has definitely made the RB spot his own. The goal-saving tackle will capture the highlights but he also showed great positioning and got a vital touch during a 2v1 late in the match.

We're much more comfortable building from the back when he plays. He's quite calm on the ball, strong dribbler, and has added something to his game now that he's sliding into the midfield more often.
 

criticalanalysis

Full Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Messages
6,259
Well, a great scene for me is when somebody pops up in my personal subjective view during a game. Today Dalot did with the great recovery action. Apart from that, he was alright but nothing out of the ordinary. That doesn't necessarily has to mean, he is bad - its just that I hoped that the RB we will ride into the sunset will pop out more often in a positive way. Can be offensively or defensively.
Agree, I thought Dalot had an okay game today. Was a bit hesitant, perhaps passive but at least careful enough to 'manage' Kudus (their main dangerman) in the first half. Second half, wasn't as involved, great block and was alright. Got into some good positions edge of the box and going forwards but nothing came of it.

I see your point and I consider my standpoint as pretty harsh towards him. I agree, he definitely is improving, slowly but surely. But apart from others I thought his level was rather meh and now he improved towards decent to good. I agree, he certainly has potential, he isn't weak, he isn't slow, his technical level is good, his defensive output is alright and in the attack he isn't sticking out negatively. But for me, I wish to see more. More moments that are great, where a fan (like me) can say "damn, this guy really has it in him, lets give him time, we might be onto something here". I just don't see it with him.
What do you think of the examples I brought up of Dalot's contributions during the Wolves and Liverpool game? I mean if you can't see/acknowledge that those are not every day normal fullback activities, then it's hard to convince you otherwise. To be fair to, at least you admit your bias and that's fine. I'm not trying to catch you out btw but just trying to perhaps provide some context or an alternative POV from what I would see.

But I myself like the old Fergie setup, having one Fullback who is adventurous and active and is really helping things in the attack and one who is a bit more conservative and keeps it tight. Shaw was such an attacking threat back in the day - but right now, he is more the latter. And Dalot seems to be on a very similar trajectory. I think, we need more attacking output from our fullbacks, dangerous dribblings, good crosses something like that. I think, Shaws level is higher than Dalots which is why I think we should try to find this attacking masterpiece for the right side.
I agree wholeheartedly but again that's why I said Dalot is performing well 'in spite' of the surroundings. Those plays you've mentioned can only really happen consistently in a team that dominates possession, actually tries to control midfield and create opportunities through passing. Therefore, it's unrealistic to expect anyone to do that and the hope for a player to come in to be 'enough' is simply fantasy as evidenced by our constant recruitment of extremely talented players, only to see them consistently perform near their bottom level for the past 10 years.

I've said this before but most of the things Dalot does well imo are because he's capable on an individual level and doesn't need too much teamplay to let's say minimise his weakness. He regularly creates space 1 vs 1 and penetration through his dribbling, hesitations and athletic ability unlike Antony/Sancho (who need a player to come close for one-twos). He's athletic enough to make high intensity sprints to make the opposition defence be wary of balls in behind/on the overlap but also he's does it on the opposite end like today. He's get the ball in tight positions and although inconsistent will fairly regularly play it into more progressive areas despite our lack of organisation when dealing with a press at the back/playing it out from the back. He genuinely looks comfortable playing inverted and receiving the ball back to goal, in between players etc unlike Shaw/AWB etc.

I guess in my mind, I've unfairly extrapolated this and thought 'if he can do that now, imagine, in a team that dominates the ball and can move the ball at will?'.

Yes, I agree. I was never really onto the world class with the keypasses thing. He is a good player with a great skillset in theory, but I always think, he is leaving gas in the tank. He could do more, be more influential, more driving and so on - but he seems fine being part of a non-performing team (I exaggerate intentionally) as long as he isn't the one making the biggest mistake.
Yes I agree. It's sad because as you've mentioned above about Dalot's trajectory, Shaw back in the day during Mourinho/Ole was one of our most consistent players in an attacking progressive sense but we never really made plays or played in a way to maximise this. And now today, Shaw's body just can't keep up.

Although we are much better balanced compared to those days, I'd argue we should be doing more for someone like Dalot now; he can genuinely be a great offensive threat (even if not in direct goal contributions but purely in terms of space) if we were to be more lopsided or create overloads because he's got the tools. However, everything is too freestyled.