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At the risk of sounding passive-aggressive:
Multiple times he brought the ball out only for nobody to move into space for him or open up for a pass so he gestured and had to pass back.
Thats really weird because a lot of the "ball playing CBs" are the ones who play long expansive passes bypassing midfield.
Lindelof hasn’t shown anywhere near enough here to be classified as a ‘ball-playing centre half’. If he is, then so is just about everyone. He’s no Stones or Luiz by any stretch. People just thought that’s what he would be before he came, so have stuck with it based on heaven knows what.
Luiz is class above every ball playing CB because he's the only can even play even as a midfielder and join the attack to score. He looks like an attacking CB not just ball playing one.
This. There's nothing special about his passing and on-the ball abilities. Its all pretty rudimentary with him in almost every aspect of his game.
What kind of games are you watching where Center Backs only hoof the ball hoping for the best? Every CB in the Premier League can do what you're describing.
Not really. Most CBs either hoof the ball or go for the easiest option which is passing to the fullback on their same side, which will get the full responsibility of getting the ball to the midfield and start the attack. Smalling does this a lot btw i.e. not hoofing but passing to the fullback and let him start the attack. That can't be called a proper building from the back.
There is a lot different to Stones and Lindelöf, at least on what we’ve seen so far. Ball-playing defenders are labelled by how comfortable they are on the ball, quite simply, in my opinion. You try and apply pressure on John Stones and he won’t lose his shit, he’ll turn away from you, play a one-two around you etc. This is what you expect from a decent midfielder, and allows his team to keep possession when pressured. Even Chris Smalling will pass the ball to Pogba or Matic who are 5 yards away if not pressed. Does that make him a ‘ball-playing defender?’.
He needs to bulk up physically and gain some strength to cope with the PL physicality but that's it. Stones was playing all his time in England and fully suited to the demands of the league. That's only Lindelof's second year in the league and still needs to bulk up a little. That's the issue imo not that he's not good with the ball in his feet or anything like that.
He may be good with the ball. What I’m saying is that he hasn’t shown it. When he does, I will give him qualities that I have seen.
Growing up playing in the premier league is different growing up in the Portuguese one.
He didn’t grow up playing in the PL, he joined from Barnsley at 18, when regardless of his background, he was not fully developed physically. And Lindelöf didn’t grow up in Portugal, he grew up in Sweden. He is also 23 years old now, and yesterday was outmuscled by a 21 year old, who also did not grow up in the MMA that is ‘the Premier League’.
It still completely different growing up suited to a certain pace and physicality side than growing used to a slower pace, much more space, less pressure and less physicality then moves to a league with a higher standard in all these aspects. Not sure how you're arguing such a clear fact.
! Honestly though he has the ability. He showed that against Man City. I think its more instructions from Jose to keep it simple. And Bailly is great on the ball but very clumsy at times. Lindelof was called Ice Man for a reason. I highly rate him you might not but his ball playing ability is top level.
His acceleration sucks. This was known before he signed. Or should have been known. One look at his youtube compilation could have told Mourinho that. Not a very well thought out transfer. Though he might be a decent servant yet.
As long as he is positioned right that doesn't matter at all. With some backup from the midfield he will be just fine. "Old fart Granqvist" and young Lindelöf were holding their positions excellent at the World Cup against some of the best players in the world. Just give Lindelöf some space forward from the back and he will create loads of chances this year.
I agree mostly but you can't compare the need for acceleration in Sweden where the line is super deep all the time.
I don't watch Sweden much but it's not like we are playing on the half way line either. That shouldn't be a huge issue, especially with a quick fullback in Shaw and centre backs like Bailly or Smalling either side of him.
Baresi wasn't known for his pace either. Its not necessary and can even be a problem if a player has grown up relying on superior speed instead of developing defensive skills.
Baresi and Blanc didn’t have much pace - but they were also two of the best CBs that have ever player the game. I’ve not seen anything from Lindelof that is above average in any respect of his game. He’s a bit like Henning Berg - who I thought was a pretty non-descript footballer also. I really don’t see that he has the attributes to be a first team player at Utd. I hope I’m wrong.
Don't quite agree with the Baresi mention, mate — while he wasn't renowned for his pace in an overt way, he was quick for a centerback, especially across short distances — which is what matters most at the position. Though even across long distances, he was no slouch when it came to tracking back in defense or bringing the ball into midfield areas:
Dunno why you say that now, but Stones has been very good today.
Baresi would've struggled with the fast pace of the PL but he was vastly superior in every other respect.
In my view Lindelöf was by far the best defender against Leicester. Bailly did som highly visual plus things, but again put us in danger more than a few times as well too with uncouth positioning, awareness and decisions. Lindelöf covered for him several times, and made hardly a defensive mistake. He is definitely not slow, and won most of his headers I believe. Leicester’s chances came from mistakes by Darmian, Bailly and on two occasions, Shaw. Attacking wise he was tidy, efficient and looking for the best options where Bailly will often chance his luck.
Didn't watch, dont care, but one swallow does not a summer make. Shite defender.
