I hope you're right but I'm yet to see us as a team play highline football where the aim is to press high and pin the opponent in their own half. And that's mainly down to the players we have who are best suited to playing in a deeper more conservative way where playing direct football in transition is where we thrive.
I think Bruno is a final third killer where his direct play and final ball can be absolutely devastating for the opposition. I just feel we need players in deeper midfield with a more rounded skillset where they have the ability to both get the ball forward at a good level without compromising on losing duels in larger space. And the reason I say larger space is because the aim should be to play more expansive football and probe/provoke the opponent by taking the game to them in a higher line where we leave space behind us centrally and in the channels.
So if a team is geared up to build play from the back and into midfield at a good to high level and that is then backed up by the ability to defend in isolation in a higher line. That then provides the forwards with a very strong platform to thrive. And the key players in that regard are the CBs and deeper midfield players who will carry great responsibility in the build up play against the opponent's press and also be responsible to contain/control the transitions in a higher line. Failing this will result in what we've been seeing for too long.
I agree. One of Bruno's strongest qualities is his ability to do the killer pass early. A lot of players are capable of passing but they need time either to adapt their body or to make the decision in their mind. Bruno does it quicker than anyone I've seen recently.
This is also his undoing when playing deeper when he pressed and/or surrounded. He often tries to dribble out of trouble which is fine to fail further up the pitch but absolutely detrimental when in our own half. Mainoo is the best, in my opinion, from our current midfielders, in receiving deep and having the physicality to shield the ball if needed, to dribble out of trouble when possible, to pass when an option is available, and to cut the lines with a through ball when the opposition allows it.
Ideally, we'd have someone like a Bentancur or Joao Gomes from Wolves as that first received/shield in front of the defensive line, BUT in Amorim's system, he has now tried using one of the CBs as the receiver, moving in front of his CB partners, and with the WBs providing wide options, looks like we are less dependent on the central progression options.
What's your view on that? Considering our better CB options (De Ligt, Yoro, Martinez, Maguire, Heaven), do you see this as a viable option?
Pure talent and PERFECT for Amorim system