To be fair Frenkie De Jong is one of the most pressing resistant players I've seen in the last 15 years. So I definitely don't think anyone could say you are overrating him in that regard.
26
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 12
- Clean sheets
- 2
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 1
Proving to be an inanely good level of theft from a rival this far
There were so many times when I thought shit he is getting himself into a sticky situation and his naivety is going to cost us and then he just casually executed a shimmy and escaped the press then followed that up with a fantastic forward looking pass.
Don't know if this is a sign of things to come, but he is crazy press resistant and has massive potential.
Don't know if this is a sign of things to come, but he is crazy press resistant and has massive potential.
I was shitting myself on the first one. Looked like he didn't know how close Wissa was to him. While he was actually aware of everything and completely in control of the situation.
Should add that he played most of the game at RCB and he made it look easy not being a natural right sider. I've never really been one to think you need a certain foot to play either side of CB especially in a 2 but we've seen plenty of players cock it up in defence when they change from their favoured side to the other. So extra marks to him for that. It goes to show his composure and comfort on the ball and I think after Lisandro he's our next defender with the most of that.
Overrating Heaven I meant.
Apart from his talent, based on Bruno and Amorim's interviews it seems like he has the character, confidence and mentality to be a top player as well.
Well liked in the dressing room, though a young kid he's one of the jokers, works very hard, is very calm and relaxed but on the pitch he turns into an agressive beast.
Huge fan of this kid.
Well liked in the dressing room, though a young kid he's one of the jokers, works very hard, is very calm and relaxed but on the pitch he turns into an agressive beast.
Huge fan of this kid.
Was honestly concerned for him after he looked so shaky against West Ham but he's bounced back really well. Was a monster yesterday.
Not sure what happens to him when everyone is back though. Especially if we remain in a back 4. Can see him tumbling down the pecking order just because of seniority and so you've gotta wonder if we should consider a loan move.
Not sure what happens to him when everyone is back though. Especially if we remain in a back 4. Can see him tumbling down the pecking order just because of seniority and so you've gotta wonder if we should consider a loan move.
Mazraoui en Shaw would go back to the full back I think. He'd compete with Licha and Yoro compete with De Ligt/Maguire. Should be fine.
Yeh id be concerned about his minutes if everyone stays fit. The schedule is crowded right now but will settle back into 1 game a week again soon. 5 CBs for 2 spots.
Even last season, everytime I watch him, im thinking he already looks world class. Literally, not "oh this is a young player with great potential" - the guy plays like he is in his prime already at the age of 19.
I'm not trying to overrate the kid but genuinely trying to tell people how I feel whenever he plays in our back line. He looks like he is playing in his prime.
If he keeps this trajectory then I think we have a generational talent.
On a side note; Something I've noticed too is that the England National Team is near perfect in attack and midfield but arguably weakest in defence. So I've been trying to keep an eye on the next best English CB's that may break through. Is it too late for Heaven to break in to WC squad? With respect to Quansah, Heaven & Guehi or Stones is another level.
I'm not trying to overrate the kid but genuinely trying to tell people how I feel whenever he plays in our back line. He looks like he is playing in his prime.
If he keeps this trajectory then I think we have a generational talent.
On a side note; Something I've noticed too is that the England National Team is near perfect in attack and midfield but arguably weakest in defence. So I've been trying to keep an eye on the next best English CB's that may break through. Is it too late for Heaven to break in to WC squad? With respect to Quansah, Heaven & Guehi or Stones is another level.
Just needed a run of games it seems, been excellent last couple of games, really rate him.
19 years old and playing like that, wow. He’s a very special talent, if he stays relatively injury free he’s one of the worlds best within 5 years.
I really do think he has all the tools to be world class. He’s got pace, physicality, composure, passing. His biggest weakness at the moment is decision making such as the Semenyo goal. But that is natural for such a young defender. Truly believe if he improves in that area we are looking at a potentially elite player. Been so impressed with his aerial ability, he’s pretty dominant and that’s rare for a young CB.
Looks way more assured in a back 4 rather than a 5.
I felt like him & Martinez bullied Woltemade which is surprising due to his height advantage.
I felt like him & Martinez bullied Woltemade which is surprising due to his height advantage.
Love the way he shapes to pass back to the keeper then turns on the ball and picks a pass upfield after he’s sent one of their players for a walk. It’s like his special move.
Was just about to post the same thing, his composure on the ball is great and is much needed in a team that was awful with the ball 2nd half yesterday.
Outstanding yesterday. Our prayers have been answered!
He looks bigger physically than Yoro, and maybe slightly taller, and a more imposing header of the ball. He's very impressive for a teenage centre back.
I love watching him on the ball. Nice turn, progresses forward, picks out nice pass… oh feck, it’s Zirkzee
Perfect example of taking your chance when it comes...a few cobwebs at first, but he brushed those off and got back up to speed incredibly well!
Other players on the side lines could learn from him. No daft shit on socials, just perform when you are on the pitch.
Other players on the side lines could learn from him. No daft shit on socials, just perform when you are on the pitch.
While I absolutely love this kid, I have now been so burnt by the likes of Rashford, Garnacho and even to some extent Mainoo, that I am really reluctant about overhyping these young players. 'Generational talent' and that sort of talk does feel a bit cursed now.
I really like this lad. Absolutely ton of talent
I can already see the Wolves and Leeds coaches zeroing in on this. He better be careful with this stuff or he's gonna look very silly.
You want your defenders to be comfortable on the ball and confident enough under pressure. It breaks oppo press and can allow for fast breaks/build up for us. This is a positive.
In terms of “being careful” with this stuff - no more so than other players - namely midfielders - should be with possession. This stuff should be encouraged rather than approached with “oh my, you might look silly with this if it doesn’t work out”
Ferdinand was as good as he was partially because of how cool he was on the ball
The forward is through on goal if he catches him there, so it's not the same as a midfielder losing possession.
He's playing great, but he needs to be aware that coaches are going to be telling there forwards, to feign one way and try and catch him as he turns out.
Words have meaning. I didn’t say it’s the same - I said being careful in possession (is something that’s understood, and players are aware) and he shouldn’t be made to tremble any more so than other players - namely midfielders.
If you look across a large enough pool of goals you’ll see that possession is more likely to be lost in midfield. Defenders are aware of their responsibilities - nonetheless, what he’s displaying in that clip is what you want from your CBs in modern football. The proverbial “ball playing CB” rose to popularity for a reason. Resist and breakdown press, and kick start attacks with progressive passes. It’s a good thing.
The lad even evades questions from the Press. Quality
They can already do that
Him and Martinez as two ball playing defenders is just 
. He's got a lot of talent, that's for sure.
. He's got a lot of talent, that's for sure.Thought Yoro was ahead of him in selection but he seems to have put in a performance that would establish himself in the first team.
Having both Yoro and Heaven, our future looks bright
Having both Yoro and Heaven, our future looks bright
He'll definitely be caught occasionally. The important thing is that it remains only 'occasionally', and that overall the positives we get from him drawing in attackers and opening up space like that outweighs those occasional negative moments.
He was pretty damn impressive. He still did that thing once where instead of going to the danger he kinda just stayed on his man.
If he keeps playing like this and continues to get better then hell yeah. Calmness on the ball and he was winning a lot in the air.
If he keeps playing like this and continues to get better then hell yeah. Calmness on the ball and he was winning a lot in the air.
Perfect example of attitude for a young player- waited for his opportunity and is taking it well when the senior CBs are out of the team. Well instead of crying like an entitled b*tch.
Man Utd 1:1 Wolves
New
I think he’s a got a real chance of being a top CM.
I’m not overly convinced by him at CB. This could be another Declan Rice situation imo.
I’m not overly convinced by him at CB. This could be another Declan Rice situation imo.
Even the crowd couldn't understand the sub. The kid pushed forward almost every time he got the ball.
Maybe that's the reason actually.
Maybe that's the reason actually.
Pointless subbing him off for Yoro.
You can understand if maybe he's tired as he's not played much regular senior football so far. He was United's best player until he went off though.
With all the subs you have to accept, we don't know what condition all of them are in, and the squad is super thin at the moment, so a tired Heaven for fully charged Yoro is not THAT big of a deal.
Thought he was very good tonight but obviously wasn't playing on his natural side which didn't help him. Yoro offered more balance in that regard.