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I seriously think he would have fit better in most of the other top PL teams. United are not a team that build attacks from the back, and thereby one of his best abilities is lost.
He's there to do that, we believe. He just hasnt. Hasnt had the character to do it.
It’s not just to do that. The team must play in a way to support that and that’s not the way United play. As been written before, one example is how the central defenders always come and block the path, meeting up extremely low instead of making themselves available further up the pitch.
Blind had this as well. But he was still able to play the ball out from the back very well and by the end of his time as a CB was doing a very good job defensively too.
What good is his Swedish form if he can't replicate it in a United shirt? I've seen him play for Sweden and I really think people are overstating things. Sweden are a solid defensive unit but Lindelof doesn't stand out for them at the back he merely neatly provides a modicum of reliability IMO. The Swedish back line consists of aging workhorses like Granqvist, Mikael Lustig and the young Augustinsson at leftback. None of these guys are even premiership level players but they were heroic against Italy in world cup qualifying.
Yes, that is one of the more clear reasons why it is difficult for a CB to drive the ball forward. Look at it the next match, sometimes Mata physically blocks his path. This is not creating space, it is stealing space. Lindelof has looked really frustradet and annoyed by this in some matches. Barcelona don't play like that at all.
Why it is good that he shows good form in the Swedish team? Because that means he is a good player, and then it is up to United to utilize it. He started in a weak way in his first matches but in competition with (and slightly beaten by) Smalling he has been the best CB in United in 2018. IMO.
I'm aptly rating English football. None of those guys would cut it in England or any of the top leagues. If they could they would be plying their trade elsewhere. International form has very little bearing on domestic performances IMO. Maybe you can say internationals can give players a confidence boost, but it doesn't work this way for many players and certainly not for Lindelof. What you see from him domestically is what you get.
I cannot be sure, but I doubt you follow Krasnodar's matches? The reason Granqvist plays in Russia is spelled Euros or Dollars. He would never make that much of money somewhere else. Last summer, FC Copenhagen wanted to sign him, but were chocked when they learned that his salary was higher than their entire team together.
It easily is a much higher level and no, I don't follow Krasnodar's matches, Swedish or Russian football. Those are mickey-mouse leagues compared to the PL and I can't believe you're actually trying to make a case for their quality versus premiership football. Its not even about overrating English football, its about being factual. If any of those players were as good as you suggest they'd be playing CL league football or at least playing in one of the top 5 UEFA ranked leagues bar the one in Germany playing for a Werder Bremen who finished 7 points above the relegation zone. It's not rocket science and its not that debatable. Its almost like you're taking offence to me saying one league is glaringly better than another.
Lies. Granqvist was highly rated at Genoa and wasn’t linked to Milan, but the money was simply better in Russia for a 30 year old.
Good for him about the money situation in Russia (since its all about the money right? Maybe next he can secure a move to China), but why hasn't the guy played at a higher level than what he's achieved? He's just not that good. His career has been bang average and thats not a bad thing, my contention here is that he's not good enough for teams in the best leagues. Is that wrong? His career thus far has certainly shown what his true level is. Are you also in agreement with the other poster that im overrating English football against the leagues where these Swedes earn their bread and butter?
He was good enough for a decent Genoa-side that was in EL-spot contention. That was his level. Nothing more, nothing less. You wrote that he failed in Italy, which is factually incorrect. Accept your mistake and move on.
I am not saying that Swedish, German or Russian League are as good as PL. I am saying that you are wrong when you say that none in the Swedish defence has the level to play in any PL team. And you claim that without even watching the players. Neymar moving to a league with more or less the same UEFA ranking points as the Russian league doesnt automatically make him below premiership class.
So your only take in this debate is your contention that he was good enough for a decent Genoa team that failed to make Europe? Ok, I admit I was wrong, he clearly made the grade in midtable serie A.
How can I be wrong when its merely an opinion I hold? Its an opinion that is probably right based on their career levels which have so far been below PL standard. Bringing Neymar into this as a comparison is utterly ridiculous as he's a world class player who has pretty much won everything but a world cup title.
Name any centre back in United and you could find a poor half. And the last match you are mentioned, overall he was the best player together with Smalling and DDG. In my and many others opinion.
You believe every Swedish defender, except maybe Lindelof(?), is below PL level, based on which leagues they play in. One play in Celtic, which most likely would be an average team in PL, one play(ed) in an average team in Germany, and one in Russia. As explained, it was money who put Granqvist in Russia, not level of skills. Just like Oscar went to China. Your 'opinion' is probably based on some idea that PL is far superior to eveything else.
Stop deluding yourself. Grnqvist's time has passed. He had a chance in the PL and he failed to cut it. Hes 33 fvcking years old his best bet from here on is MLS, Saudi Arabia, Australia or China. He's not even fit to lace Smalling's boots. Maybe comprehension is not one of your strong suits but how can me saying the PL is superior to Scottish, Russian or German football the same as me saying its far superior to anything else? Jesus
Blind is indeed the much superior player. Mourinho can't even trust Lindelof against tough opposition. He'll get another chance to impress next season but i think he'll be sold if he doesnt show big improvements.
We will see in the World Cup. My bet is that Granqvist will play in the WC and if Smalling gets the same opportunity, we can compare them and see if Granqvist has a level above lacing Smalling’s boots.
Smalling is probably not even going to play at the world cup because Gareth Southgate wants players like Stones and McGuire because they are better passers. All in all you can't really use internationals as a barometer to gauge a player's ability in club football.
I was impressed how he dealt with PEA, his pace considering.
True. He looks more "comfortable" than talented on the ball. Reminds me of Evans in that way
Bang on.
