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I just think the best bits of players like Mainoo are accentuated with another on the same wavelength with similar technical ability. Scholes/Carrick, Iniesta/Xavi, Gavi/Pedri, Modric/Kroos. You simply cannot get the same thing from Mainoo/Onana or Bruno. We could have easily said ‘we need someone to win the ball next to Scholes’ and gone Scholes/Essien - which would have some advantages, but would lose a lot of what Scholes can do.
For sure. But I still think they need complimentary qualities and mentalities. Have to be similar, but also different in key ways. Xavi for example was capable of creating chances, but was a dictating midfielder, he combined with Iniesta plenty but also was the key to the middle third while Iniesta was often thinking of that killer ball/move and they had the perfect blend for each other there. Joao Neves to me seems just like Mainoo in that he's not that final third guy, he's also the "Xavi" type and neither are the Iniesta types. Mainoo's main thing that he hasn't really shown yet is a lack of passing range, which isn't a huge deal but you do want one of them in the group to be able to spread the pitch (like Kroos does while Modric is the dribbler/carrier in midfield and controls the game with more shorter passing). Mainoo is more of the Modric type for me. Has Joao Neves shown enough of the final third play, or would we be a bit lacking in the killer ball in there? Would be great for control no doubt, and get the right DM behind them and that'd be very strong defensively, but my concern would be lacking the Bellingham/Musiala type in there who are the unrealistic dreams of course.
Imagine if we kept the ball like arsenal or city do? He would absolutely thrive as an 8 in that system
Don’t think it’s quite unpopular.
His pace isn’t going to be an issue. It’s an issue in this team because we have that huge gap between defence and attack which has been frequently brought up. But you’d imagine that going forward we’ll solidify ourselves as either a transition team or a team that controls possession. In either system, the pace of our midfielders won’t even be noticed.
I think he is realtively slow for an 18 year old player, so since he is probably going to be in the starting XI for a while, it's something we need to think about when building the squad. I don't really trust the Casemiro-Mainoo midfield all that much, because Casemiro has also gotten really heavy. Eriksen too, of course. We need a DM with more mobility and a good ability to read the game.
Yeah, but then suddenly he dribbles past two players and races from them, so it's hard to tell. He looks quite quick from a standstill, and also looks fast,if not rapid with the ball. It's when he's chasing players that he can sometimes look ponderous. Hoewever, I've also seen him keep up with what I thought were much faster players over distance, but he then looks like he is truly busting a gut to get there. Maybe not so much a lack of speed as a lack of intensity?
I think Casemiro has to play as a 6 ..and Mainoo in front of him..
I don't think he races from anyone with speed, though. He leaves them in the dust with footwork and body feints. Once an opponent has shifted his weight to one side or taken a step in the wrong direction it can be quite easy to get past them, and that's exactly what Mainoo does. He also has great timing in his challenges, so whenever he decides to use the slide tackle it usually works out.
Defensively it's much more of an issue that when he's on the ball.
Maybe you're right, but he does look quite quick in terms of acceleration. Over distance, I agree that he struggles to track players, but I'm not convinced it's an outright speed issue or lack of intensity in his running? Even Garnacho has looked pretty slow-ish tracking back, but then he can suddenly turn on the afterburners when he wants to. Yesterday that was not the case for Garnacho, btw, as he busted his lungs several times getting back into defense.
Good point. Think this is why Keane/Scholes worked too, due to the short incisive passing or the release for the long range stuff where needed (and covering each other when one went driving forward). Throwback to two man midfield of box to box (and not specialised roles).
His dribbling is about timing and not necessarily pace.
didn't they have Joe Allen the Welsh Xavi at one point?
Indeed, but he missed Leon Britton next to him like he had at Swansea!
I am not really fussed for Mainoo to be in the England senior squad, of course it's a huge achievement if he gets selected, but all I want is for him to be given consistent game time for the remainder of this season and next season so he can continue to develop
He trusts his abilities and he knows he's better than many others. Such a very rare and priceless thing to possess.
Yeah if the system became more of a 433. Bellingham as the most advanced midfielder.
This, Mainoo and Rice switch being deepest.
The exact same player I likened him too. He could easily play that RCM role like Silva or Odegaard. He's a top technician!
He gave the ball away twice early on pretty cheaply but that aside, what an incredible talent. Just look at the intelligence and technical quality in some of those moves.
Why not? They aren't remotely similar.
Of course they can. Add Rice too thats a very good midfield
Haha
What like the most about these highlights is his calmness and composure. Yes, he did have a couple of mistakes, but for an 18-year old kid who just began playing senior football, he looks great. Just continue providing him with opportunities to grow and develop, and add someone to partner him in the midfield, and the future looks bright
He carries and touches the ball at weird angles. He sucks players into challenging him but he’s always got that extra gear and picture in his head of how to get through the press. That’s probably the highest compliment I think you can pay a midfielder that is so young
I'd prefer if he got some rest and has a good pre season instead.
Hope not. I’m hoping he gets a good Summer rest so refreshed for us come pre season
