MyOnlySolskjaer
Creator of Player Performance threads
I keep hearing Wan-Bissaka used to be a winger…
He was making those off ball runs in open play, runs into the box, and poaching goals when he played in a more free and interchangeable role his last couple of years at United. He would just stay central and be the focal point. Why do you think Rooney sacrificed himself playing out wide...to accommodate Ronaldo. But again, they interchanged really well, in addition to Tevez. Even with Berbatov, Ronaldo was able to play more centrally or make space in the box knowing he had players who could supply him with service. You don't score 42 goals as a forward in an English campaign and CL if you dont do what you just described.Don't really agree. Ofcourse there is an extent in which he just got a lot better in what he already did and his goal instincts improved over the years.. But one of the key factors for me where he really changed into another player is that in his early years he was always getting the ball, wanting it in his feet, create something by passing opponnents, dribbles, etc. In later years he really became an off-the-ball player, making runts wihout the ball in front of the goal, staying up top during build up of play, lurking on the right place for tap ins..
And traore to the hulk was fairly impressiveGoretzka's tranformation from skinny midfielder to Adama Traore was pretty impressive
Yeah, that's exactly what you would expect; the Vladimír Weiss route. Can only guess Taarabt did a lot of growing up and had an epiphany moment.Really? That's shocking. I thought he'd be in China or the Middle East by now.
I'd heard about him becoming a defensive midfielder but it was interesting to read the process behind it. He's always been incredibly talented, with his qualities he should have had a better career. On paper, I can actually see why he'd be suited to this deeper role, he's strong and reads the game well and I assume he's worked on his defensive capabilities, has the technical ability to play out from the back and retain the ball, his dribbling means he could break the press and he has the vision to play the ball forward.Adel Taarabt's transformation from a flamboyant, workshy attacking player to defensive midfielder at Benfica is remarkable. Can't make sense of it. Must have had a personality transplant.
Drogba went from CB to striker.Dion Dublin went from striker to centre back, so did Chris Sutton
This has to be the most unbelievable one, as in I'd never believe it without the article. He was such an entertaining player to watch for QPR bc he seemed to give zero fs about the consequences of his creative play. Cool to see he evolved and prolonged his career.Adel Taarabt's transformation from a flamboyant, workshy attacking player to defensive midfielder at Benfica is remarkable. Can't make sense of it. Must have had a personality transplant.
Yeah, I can't imagine AT as a DM.This has to be the most unbelievable one, as in I'd never believe it without the article. He was such an entertaining player to watch for QPR bc he seemed to give zero fs about the consequences of his creative play. Cool to see he evolved and prolonged his career.
Wasn't Gullit also a No.10 at one point?To be fair there are a quite a few examples of successful players transforming into sweepers. Berne Schuster, Ruud Gullit (although both surprisingly had experience of playing as one in younger days), Zbigniew Boniek (a very surprising move for me)… it made sense when the position had meant that you’re basically a free player and required first and foremost understanding of the game and playmaking skills.
Sammer is probably the only one who had switched mid-career and achieved higher level of performance in that new role.
Unfortunately not. Reading this thread reminded me of the Guardian article I linked. Hopefully someone who watches the Portuguese league regularly can comment.I'd heard about him becoming a defensive midfielder but it was interesting to read the process behind it. He's always been incredibly talented, with his qualities he should have had a better career. On paper, I can actually see why he'd be suited to this deeper role, he's strong and reads the game well and I assume he's worked on his defensive capabilities, has the technical ability to play out from the back and retain the ball, his dribbling means he could break the press and he has the vision to play the ball forward.
It's just as you said though, I could never have envisioned him becoming that kind of player with his personality. He was often guilty of neglecting all defensive duties, and was tactically ill disciplined. I don't know if you've watched him in the role but it'd be interesting to hear how he approaches the game if you have, or others on here who have watched him.
He went from a quality winger, one of the best in La Liga and an international player to a RB at the end of his career.Jesus Navas went from a poor winger, to a trial RB for Pep to an international RB for Spain and made laLiga team of the season.
He was usually either a number 10, a right winger or a supporting striker at his peak, but, quite surprisingly (at least to me) he had actually played as a libero at PSV, with Koeman in midfield, before his transfer to AC Milan, scoring 27 & 26 goals in 2 of his last seasons at Eindhoven.Yeah, I can't imagine AT as a DM.
Wasn't Gullit also a No.10 at one point?
I actually drove through Port Talbot today! If you spotted a bad driver in a white Suzuki it was me.Greetings from Port Talbot!
Unfortunately not. Reading this thread reminded me of the Guardian article I linked. Hopefully someone who watches the Portuguese league regularly can comment.
You could argue indeed, but I think Ronaldo's tranformation was more significant. Van Persie definitely became more clinical and more of a goalscored than playmaker, but he still remained a player who enjoyed making things happen..Van Persie. Not too different from Ronnie's transformation?
He was really good wasn't he?Joelinton to centre midfield is something I didnt think i'd ever see.
From a LW, to a AM/SS to a line-leading forward.Van Persie. Not too different from Ronnie's transformation?
Played as a LWB whilst at Juve. From winger, to LWB, to all-time legend Striker.I think so. When he played on the left for Monaco and especially for Juventus, it wasn't really the modern interpretation of a wide forward who attacks the box a lot. And when he did play in a forward role it was more of a roaming second striker, rather than the line leader he became under Wenger. As he was always a natural provider, it was quite a shift required in his mentality to then occupy the centre-halves and become a heavy-duty goalscorer.
Thats not really a player transformation right.. He is just a very very versatile player with obviously a lot of football intelligence to be able to play so many positions.. But its not like he has undergone some kind of transformationSurprised nobody has mentioned Bukayo Saka. He has played defence, midfield and attack all with equally impressive impact.
It's not as though he was chopping and changing position every week though.Thats not really a player transformation right.. He is just a very very versatile player with obviously a lot of football intelligence to be able to play so many positions.. But its not like he has undergone some kind of transformation