Mourinho would prefer new FBs. He commented once about City's spending in that position and I doubt he is that naive to not see Valencia's decline.
The symbolic meaning of what the armband represents is not lost on me, but I'm not the one you need to convince. Jose puts little stock in the armband itself and that's not going to change anytime soon. Seniority, loyalty, work ethic and diligence are clearly more important to Jose, and it just so happens that Valencia possesses these traits. To whom he gives the armband comes as no surprise really.
I'm not bothered whether you believe me or not, I'm just saying I take stock in the words of someone who has spent 30-40 hours a week with the guy for the last few years than a journalist who has met him a handful of times at best. Whether you or anyone else here believes me is beside the point.
Lol @ the idea of Pogba being captain. No chance.
You mean like Carrick getting the armband last season meant he was our first choice in midfield?
Valencia being captain wont have an effect on results, I can be certain about that. But just imagine if we had someone like Kompany, or Vidic, or Cantona - players that can inspire others on the pitch.
Pogba, Lukaku and Ashely Young. They can do it without the armband. It's not like only people with armbands can be vocal towards teammates.
So our younger players should look for guidance and inspiration from anyone but our Captain? Seems a strange way of doing things.
Therein lies the problem, we do not have those type of players at the club currently. Vidic was the last genuine leader to play for United some 5 years ago, it's criminal that he is yet to be properly replaced but that's just the way it is.
So Pogba is shown on 1 video making 1 speech and he's all of a sudden a leader of sorts?
Smalling, Matic, Lukaku are all good leaders. Pogba too potentially.
To an extent, maybe, but none of them is of the Keane, Cantona or Vidic mould. Pogba is not mature enough to excel in the role right now. Then again, you could argue that giving him the responsibility of the armband just might liven him up somewhat.
Maybe thoughtful or considered, but I wouldn't put it that way. He had a similar temperament to Fergie in many ways and thought nothing of giving one of his players a bollocking and sometimes a whack in the face on the pitch if necessary!
Should a fullback's ability to cross the ball have any influence on whether he's able to be captain or not?
Not really strange, no. The young players can look at the leaders for guidance. The leaders don't have to wear an armband. Neither Lukaku for Belgium nor Pogba for France wore armbands but they were clearly leaders, or part of the leader group, for their respective teams.
Now, I'm not saying Valencia is a bad guy or a terrible player, but you can't seriously compare him and his performances favourably to any of the players you mentioned, can you? Are our players supposed to draw strength and courage from his trademark run up to the edge of the box, repeated feints to pass, before turning and rolling the ball backwards?
Now that's funny.... and a problem.
Exactly this
I know you're new here, but wading into a discussion armed with nothing but personal attacks, a patronising tone and using the Jamie Redknapp definition of 'literally' is not going to do you any favours.
It's because a lot of people believe that the selection of a club captain shouldn't actually be an insignificant thing.The no of people collectively losing their minds over this insignificant thing
If you think a captain, who is by definition the leader of the team, who sets the tone for the rest, is insignificant, I wonder what you think IS significant.The no of people collectively losing their minds over this insignificant thing
Valencia doesn't exactly take the game by the scruff of the neck like those you mentioned. Nor is he anywhere near as vocal or as much of a talisman as those. Those you mentioned were obvious captain material.
I'm of this this school of thought as well. I'm just not fussed. This will not be the difference between winning and losing. Meh.The no of people collectively losing their minds over this insignificant thing
It's just another example of not moving forward or doing anything other than the dullest possible option for me. I think that's what I don't like about it.
I don't see anyone "losing their minds".The no of people collectively losing their minds over this insignificant thing
Serious question but how good is his actual english?
Only if we view it as a matter of prestige or an indication of anything (like my captain plays). Otherwise the club captain is not significantly going to alter the way we play or the results we get.
Andy Mitten is pretty good journalist in fairness. Telling point of the article though is he had a chat with Valencia in Spanish during that training session to praise him. Obviously Mourinho can speak Spanish incredibly well but tells you he wasn't confident Valencia would understand the message as well if he had said it in English which I would assume would be the language used in the training sessions.
