Jesus won a lot of goalkicks well and he gave both players a physical tussle, but that was about it. Second half he was dropping deep to find the ball and didn’t really trouble either massively. It was more Martinelli and Saka that were the issues to our defence from a straight scoring perspective
So, how about that Varane + Martinez partnership?
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Yep. Saka was definitely more troublesome with his direct running today. But, Jesus was never really a proper threat. Great composure from the both of then again and I liked that they made McTominey celebrate a tackle in the 2nd half. I think that's great attitude and gives encouragement to the rest of the team to get stuck in and do the dirty work.
I was a bit surprised at how good Jesus was at outmuscling both of them from goal kicks today. But Jesus played really well, and they came through a stern test against one of the in form attacks of the league
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It's been a night and day difference having him comandeering the backline compared to Maguire. We're so much more solid at the back.
My captain.
Europa League Varane! 
I think I might just want a centre back in January over any other position to guarantee our tactics (and spirit) don't go out the window when we have to rotate.
Now we just need to pray to every god there is that he won't get injured with the NT
Need Varane back next to Martinez asap. The other options aren't confidence instilling at all
The drop in quality is astonishing. We really need to sell Maguire, Lindelof and buy a reliable back up who can be decent for 20 matches per year.
How many times have we seen someone looking shakey when playing next to Lindelof ? The drop in quality from Varane and Martinez to Lindelof and Maguire is fecking massive although I’d be surprised if we even managed to bring in half of the £110 million we spent on Lindelof and Maguire if we moved them both on.
Some people complained about us signing another CB this summer but honestly if we signed yet another next summer as well I wouldn't complain.
Not like anyone would bat an eyelid at either of Maguire or Lindelof being sold and replaced.
Not like anyone would bat an eyelid at either of Maguire or Lindelof being sold and replaced.
Lindelof could be sold and probably will be. How can we ever sell Maguire though on his wages and with the fee we paid? He's going nowhere sadly.
They're our next Rio - Vidic. They both are the base of any of our future success. Kane and Son couldn't get a sniff out of these two.
I’m more interested in the Varane + Martinez + Casemiro triangle personally. That is the defensive foundation for the rest to play, and Casemiro was a giant in front of the centre halves.
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Love these 2 so much
Can say for the first time in a long time we have two of the best CBs in the league.
PLEASE.STAY.FIT
edit - already posted.
I love them
I love them
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It depends on Varane staying fit.
I've missed having two proper CB's in the starting 11 for so long I almost forgot how good it felt.
They give so much more confidence to the rest of the team to go play. Heck even Shaw and Dalot have been so good next to them. Even De Gea is now more proactive!
The jump from Lindelof-Maguire to Varane-Martinez is a chasm.
Last night was particularly impressive I thought. Even the subtle elements like Martinez sticking to Kane, meaning anything but a perfect first touch and the ball fell loose.
It's the difference between regaining possession before any threat materialises and ending up with Kane running at you on the edge of the box because you've given him a couple of yards to turn.
In truth I'd forgotten how much a top class central defensive partnership transforms the team, nearly being duped into thinking you need to play Conte style several defensive players to be a solid unit.
It's the difference between regaining possession before any threat materialises and ending up with Kane running at you on the edge of the box because you've given him a couple of yards to turn.
In truth I'd forgotten how much a top class central defensive partnership transforms the team, nearly being duped into thinking you need to play Conte style several defensive players to be a solid unit.
Technically i like it very much but the height issue (lack of) is going to bite us in the ass at some point in this league.
Varane is short?
Maybe not so much but he doesnt have the presence of a Vidic, Stam, Rio, Pallister or Bruce and IMO a lot of the older CAF would agree
Really hope Varane stays fit but Lindelof looks a better player next to Martinez than he does when he plays with a clumsy Maguire.
I wouldn’t be so sure, what Martinez lacks in height he more than makes up for in his ability to read a game.
He may not have the presence but hes far better technically than any of them other than rio. Football now requires more technically competent CBs.
I take youre swedish? Because Lindelof is S...
I have been to IKEA if that counts? Whilst I agree Lindelof isn't the best, I still have confidence in him when playing next to a commanding aggressive cb to do a job. Varane looked poor next to Maguire.
It's taken years and several warchests full of cash but we finally have a very solid defence
What? Varane is absolutely a colossus in the air - I'd say he's stronger in the air than Rio ever was and closer to Vidic. He's taller than both btw. He's also very two-footed and quite smooth on the ball, and at the same time, he's very fast. I wouldn't say he's at their league just yet, but to say he's not great in the air is BS.
Varane is a complete beast in the air
You do? Lindelöf goes out of his way not to commit, and he's also so-so slow. In the first half, a ball was sent over the top for a foot race between Son and Varane, and Varane casually pulled away from him. From that moment, Son knew that it was pointless trying to take him on using speed. With Lindelöf, every attacker knows they can beat him using speed and muscle. That's not great and certainly doesn't inspire confidence.
For sure - one of the very best in the league - perhaps not in attack, but defensively he's definitely up there.
His positioning for headed clearances is fantastic, saved us numerous times last night alone.
He may not be as aggressive as those guys but he doesn’t need to be, strikers today are not the same as yesteryear, very few carry a genuine, aggressive aerial threat.
In PL they stared 7 games, won 5 and kept 4 Cleansheets.
Arsenal, Liverpool and City scored when they played together.
Arsenal, Liverpool and City scored when they played together.