I guess that depends on what you feel is perfect for ten hag. I think you listed players who are suited to playing controlling football. Dalot I'd add to that as well for what it's worth, as well as Garnacho though he's young. Antony suited to it, but just not a good player.
Guys like Bruno and Rashford... Well what I see is a focus on transition football. What he's said is a focus on transition football. Those 2 suit transition football perfectly. I don't think ten hag is trying to implement a controlled style of football, I think it's a focus on encouraging end to end, transition football but just expecting us to win our duels in our half and make better decisions in attack. Which for me is capped.
I think the players I listed are well suited to transition football, I think ultimately Ten Hag would like more control of how and when we take advantage of offensive transitions (evidenced by what I’d class as “his” signings and introductions) and to stop defensive transitions from being too dangerous. With that in mind I believe the following are suited in the squad for these brief reasons:
- Martinez - Able to win duels and progress through thirds quickly with confidence in his passing.
- Shaw - Similar to Martinez but also carries well and overlaps well.
- Onana - Key to breaking a press and being and additional option. Plus some great passing ability through the lines (one really good one today)
- Mainoo - Physical ability, composure and technical ability to evade the press and receive on the half turn. Modern midfielder.
- Mount - Composure, technical ability to evade press and receive on half turn. Positional sense outstanding (excellent at finding space between the lines and half spaces)
- Højlund - Physical, pacey, relentless and a good finisher and ball striking ability.
Dalot is on his way but is being developed to work not someone I’d say is naturally there with his normal game.
Bruno has the work rate and creative ability that are outstanding but as a No8/10 he lacks press resistance and the ability to receive on the half turn and disrupt opposing defensive lines with anything other than a great pass (which usually requires a ball played into a target man and set back for Fernandes to deliver).
Rashford in form is a frightening counter attacking forward. But he lacks the defensive nous to press effectively for large portions of the game which makes the high press less effective.
Garnacho is also like Dalot being coached into being a more suitable player for this system but isn’t it just yet.
Antony I agree is suited to it but just not good enough for this level. No shame in that.
To be a better side I think we desperately need:
- RCB - Starter
- LCB - similar rotation to Martinez
- LB - A fit Shaw
- RB - (although Dalot may develop into this)
- DM - More mobile for defensive transition
- CM - Another press resistant one
- LW or RW - 1v1s
- ST - Rotation for Hojlund