Good tackling - Fred, McT
Able to intercept passes - Fred, McT, (Bruno)
Able to read the game defensively and offensively
Able to position themselves to cover attacking fullbacks - Fred, McT
Able to pass the ball forwards - Fred, McT, Pogba, Matic, (Bruno)
Able to pass long and pick out runs - Pogba, (Bruno)
Able to circulate the ball to keep hold of posession - Fred, McT, VDB, (Bruno)
Able to press - Fred, McT, (Bruno)
Press resistant (ie able to pass under pressure) - (McT)
Able to take players on - (Pogba)
Able to play for 90 minutes at high intensity - Fred, McT
Which pairing do you think can do all of that?
A) Attributes?
1. Unsure what reading game def & off meant there. Is it controlling tempo? none of our players are good at it, not even prime Matic. Herrera is the last player we had that can control it at a low degree.
2. Press resistant should also include ability to keep the ball, ball retention and win fouls so definitely McT who can use his strength well in physical contest and also win fouls when losing, it's a bit of dark arts. Prime Matic used to be good at ball retention as does the Pogba that recently joined us in his first season, now the duo are just pure shit at it.
3. We should add Build-up. Matic, Fred and Bruno are good at this.
4. Need to expanse "pass the ball forwards" meaning because seriously all our CMs can do it, yes even McT despite the popular saying he's not which is BS. VDB yet to show that enough.
5. "Long pass" for me are only the two (Pog and Brun) who are very good at it, because McT and Matic sometimes pull a good long passes. Yes, even McT can do it but I wouldn't include them.
6. Playmaker or deep playmaker is missing. We definitely do not have a deep playmaker, we do are obsess in turning Pog into one, a futile shit attempts so far. But of course we do have two very good playmakers in Pog and Bruno.
7. "Support" is also missing there. A good CMs always support his teammates at mostly providing a passing option and also as good covers. Good sense of positioning, movements and anticipations are important here. Fred and McT are good at this. Matic used to be good at it but now he's only good as a consistent passing option provider. VDB is very good at constantly giving passing support options.
B) Players
- Bruno in? We're not including Bruno as CM right? If we do, it'll be complete pairing him up with both Fred and McT in a 3 man midfield.
- Matic declined so much. He's only good at build-up nowadays and helping to break low blocks (none at the OP list).
- VDB seriously need to step-up when playing as CM/CDM, so far he's just showing how he's good at moving the ball around quickly the pitch on the floor and that's it. It's not even playmaking, just circulating possession around. Unsure if he's good at under pressure. Not enough games yet.
- Pogba's ability in carrying the ball upfield and taking players on from CM have been massively rusty. Wouldn't say declined but more like bad form. We really don't train this at all in trainings didn't we. It was so good for his first two seasons here and some games in 3rd, then 4th seasons onwards, it's just shit.
- Fred is as it is, fits CM. Definitely have flair and flashy which helps cover his flaws in fans eyes.
- McT similarly as he is, fits CM and provide a lot of things, just that many vocal fans don't like him thinking he's shit providing nothing.
C) Overall Best pairings?
If only duo, none really, but if we have to choose... then it's clear why Fred + McT is the best duo CMs, but even they have limitations, there are things they can't provide. They are the most balanced and best defense considering Matic's up and down form. If Matic is in good form, then he and Fred are the best defensive pairing. Best attacking pairing in specific situation is Matic and Pogba, but this is only good if we're facing a total low blocks team with shit attacks so it's okay to totally risk it. Our fragile defense is enough to swat the shit attacks away. Never play both Matic and Pogba vs high pressing teams unless we're really asking to be spanked hard like a masochist.
If triple CMs, then definitely Bruno + Fred + McT. This isn't really helpful vs low blocks but it provides the good stability and total security our team desperately need and definitely balance Bruno's high risk killer passes which equals to high chance of losing possession because you can be sure that Fred and McT will make safer passes. As Fred and McT shield our backs, steal the ball back and basically fighting the midfield battle, Bruno can be more focus on attacking and creating, unlocking the opposing team's defenses. Bruno on his own can't be the only one though, so best is to put a playmaker on other positions not CM.
The thing about Fred+McT is that, we have both Lindelof and Maguire at their back who provide the good long passes from the back which Fred+McT can't really do at a more consistent basis, our CBs also need the protection from both Fred+McT, just one is not enough because on their own, either one of Fred and McT are lacking defensively. It's a good exchange balanced combinations.
We really should link with other players outside the scope of just the midfield to fully grasp and decide which CMs pairing are the best.
