Hes primarily cover for Bruno, which was quite a pressing need in my opinion. I did think he'd have seen more minutes in CM thus far though I must admit.Cant say i have watched much of him at Ajax, but from what i can read online he has played the majority of his games as a an out and out CM, with some cameos as AM and DM. Hes not taking Brunos spot, so that means hes really competing with Fred, McTomminay, Pogba and Matic for those two CM spots.
Nothing wrong with depth, but depth in CM was hardly the most pressing issue we had
This is the first time I see him in midfield and think maybe, just maybe, he could do a job next to McTominay. He won't be worse than Pogba I'm sure, but still there are some concerns whether he can cope physically.He's better than Fred, McTominay and Pogba in a double pivot IMO and has been deployed in such a role for Ajax numerous times. Below is one example against Chelsea in the UCL game at Stamford bridge last season. He's adept at applying pressure and would be ideal to initiate the wide pressing trap, similar to how Nagelsmann deploys Konrad Laimer at RB Leipzig to win the ball back by swarming the opposition wide receiver in a wolf like press.
I would personally even start him ahead of Bruno due to VdB's superior link up play and movement in the final third which would see us make better use of the ball. He's someone that would help us quicken the tempo and also defend from the front due to his high work rate and intelligence which would see him either trigger the high press or occupy the half space which would cut off passing lanes. He's tactically and technically proficient and would enhance team synergy going forward IMO.
Plays in a double pivot below at Stamford Bridge next to Lisandro Martinez with Ziyech deployed as the most advanced CAM. Promes and Neres occupying the wide roles with Tadic playing as the forward.
VdB v Chelsea in a advanced role for Ajax against Chelsea below in a 4-2-3-1 with Alvarez and Martinez in a double pivot with Tadic through the middle and Promes - Ziyech as the wide attackers.
yeah I’m constantly baffled by Ole. As the manager he should be getting the best out of the players we have. I don’t buy into this s*** comparison with Fabinho. He’s come from the Dutch league not South America. He should be starting over DJ.I feel the same way. VDB can play practically all our attacking positions. I have no issues with not subbing him on given we were going for a win. But he should already have been on the field instead of James. Even if United were playing counterattacking football, I am sure VDB can fit into that system as well given his footballing intelligence.
How is the current Pogba better than him ? Genuine question tbh, not trying to be controversialOle wanted Grealish, and then we landed with him. He is not better than Bruno/Pogba, and that is the position we want to use him in.
Err, Fabinho came from the French league and had been in europe for 6 seasons. Whether he should be starting over James depends on how good he is out wide, which from memory transfermarkt says he's only done once in his career.yeah I’m constantly baffled by Ole. As the manager he should be getting the best out of the players we have. I don’t buy into this s*** comparison with Fabinho. He’s come from the Dutch league not South America. He should be starting over DJ.
Ziyech had no preseason and came from injury. The 2 situations are a little differentJesus Christ mate, we've only played 8 games this season. Ziyech at Chelsea is being given exactly the same treatment and no one is complaining, it's just Sky and co making a big deal out of nothing.
Yeah, I did get reminded of that and take that point. Still, no one is saying he's not going to get a chance at Chelsea now the team is more settled. Same with us, the team will change and develop over the season.Ziyech had no preseason and came from injury. The 2 situations are a little different
I think asking this premature question about VDB stems from the frustration of seeing Dan James start. Like you said, he will get plenty of playing time and once Martial finishes his suspension and Cavani gets fitter, Dan James will be forgotten for a while.Yeah, I did get reminded of that and take that point. Still, no one is saying he's not going to get a chance at Chelsea now the team is more settled. Same with us, the team will change and develop over the season.
Ziyech hasn't been fit and injured for 6 or 7 of the 8 games tbf.Jesus Christ mate, we've only played 8 games this season. Ziyech at Chelsea is being given exactly the same treatment and no one is complaining, it's just Sky and co making a big deal out of nothing.
I am positive that Fred went far longer than this without getting played much at all. I think this thing with Van de Beek is such a non story right now, and I'm pretty confident he'll start one of the next few gamesI’m sure there was a very similar thread when Mourinho didn’t play Fred for months- he’s now a key player! Give VDB time; when he gets a proper opportunity I’m sure he’ll take it
I'm definitely with you and the rest being disappointed he's not been used as much yet, and agree with what you've said. I just think it's overblown to say he will be looking to leave based off how his career has started here.I think asking this premature question about VDB stems from the frustration of seeing Dan James start. Like you said, he will get plenty of playing time and once Martial finishes his suspension and Cavani gets fitter, Dan James will be forgotten for a while.
VDB looked good the few times he played already and the hope was a simple continuation of that. I understand the frustration but the season has barely started
I do take that point, I just don't think he'll be looking to leave based off this and he will have plenty of opportunities when we look of what the likes of Pereira and lingard got last season.Ziyech hasn't been fit and injured for 6 or 7 of the 8 games tbf.
He will wanna leave already if he is a weak minded player which I don't think he is. His time will come, he will have to grab these opportunitiesI'm definitely with you and the rest being disappointed he's not been used as much yet, and agree with what you've said. I just think it's overblown to say he will be looking to leave based off how his career has started here.
I do take that point, I just don't think he'll be looking to leave based off this and he will have plenty of opportunities when we look of what the likes of Pereira and lingard got last season.
plastic fans.Our fans...
Lads he's a new kids on the block, tough epl adjustment etc.
You guys started to blame ed? Or ole doesnt want him?
As silly as it sounds, you're right. This place loses its marbles so easily and quickly.plastic fans.
Want everything now.
Have no concept of tomorrow, or next week, or next month. It’s now or never.
‘fans’ actually thinking he waits to leave.
seriously, the caf has such a weak mentality. Such a non-resilient mindset.
Sure we might as well send Maguire, Cavani, Ighalo, Telles, Lindelof,James, and Henderson back also. Although I like VdB I don't think he was the most important one we needed. We had enough for the position he plays. A DM or CB would have been more important.Send him back to Ajax it’s just a waste of everyone’s time. Should have used that money and just got Sancho or Grealish. Atleast we wouldn’t of had to see Dan James yesterday.
Yeah, I don't think he is and I think he's very much the kind that will earn his spot when he's given the opportunity.He will wanna leave already if he is a weak minded player which I don't think he is. His time will come, he will have to grab these opportunities
We have lots of midfielders, but they don't all play the same game. If Bruno gets injured we had nobody, Pogba out we have nobody. Mata has his uses but only sparingly. Pereira has gone, Lingard is injured, Garner and Levitt are out on loan. He obviously sees Matic, Fred and McTominay as playing a certain role. None of them are particularly creative and Fred is a danger if he take a shot. We needed the depth there, it is no Donny's fault if Matt Judge and Co did not get him DM, but to say we didn't need Donny is wrong, we need both. Donny is intelligent, creative and capable of getting goals.Was always an odd signing for me in a position where we are arguably at our strongest.
I like DvB and he can also play Pogba role as well as Bruno role, but in some games we may be able to try play the 3 together instead of Fred and Mctominay as a pivot 2 in front of back 4.You know what will happen? He will just do what he did last season and play Bruno, then when
We have lots of midfielders, but they don't all play the same game. If Bruno gets injured we had nobody, Pogba out we have nobody. Mata has his uses but only sparingly. Pereira has gone, Lingard is injured, Garner and Levitt are out on loan. He obviously sees Matic, Fred and McTominay as playing a certain role. None of them are particularly creative and Fred is a danger if he take a shot. We needed the depth there, it is no Donny's fault if Matt Judge and Co did not get him DM, but to say we didn't need Donny is wrong, we need both. Donny is intelligent, creative and capable of getting goals.
DVB is a great player but the guys he is battling for playtime with are arguably our most talented players.We have lots of midfielders, but they don't all play the same game. If Bruno gets injured we had nobody, Pogba out we have nobody. Mata has his uses but only sparingly. Pereira has gone, Lingard is injured, Garner and Levitt are out on loan. He obviously sees Matic, Fred and McTominay as playing a certain role. None of them are particularly creative and Fred is a danger if he take a shot. We needed the depth there, it is no Donny's fault if Matt Judge and Co did not get him DM, but to say we didn't need Donny is wrong, we need both. Donny is intelligent, creative and capable of getting goals.
Pogba is talented when he can be bothered. Bruno will likely be used until his performances drop when it matters. McTominay more talented. Give me a break. He plays for United because he came through the ranks. He has nowhere near the technique of VDB neither does Fred. Matic who is better than both of them is not even being picked.DVB is a great player but the guys he is battling for playtime with are arguably our most talented players.
