Bastian
Full Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2015
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- 18,563
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- Mejbri
His goal scoring record is on par with Lindelof, so I concede that point. He's just an actual centre back, and as such, good in the air. I think having two centre backs good in the air will improve our attacking set pieces. In terms of the high line, I have seen Lindelof too often get done, either from cowering during a header that sets up a through run, or just simply see someone outpace him when Maguire is higher up the pitch. We are often playing a high line, despite not having the pace to recover. So of course having Varane would improve that quite a bit.Varane is a great player, even one of the best in the world, who most likely would improve us. If we can get him for a good price we must go for it. However we shouldn’t be naive and think he would improve us in every aspect.. One benefit is he’s faster, but I don’t think that automatically will compensate for Maguire and allow us to play a high line. The complimentary CB of Maguire will always need to fall back at times, not alway push and maintain the line. Also, I am not sure a high line is working well with our midfield. They lose possession often and are not so creative. The Villareal game is a good example. I also wouldn’t say Varane offers more in the attack. He’s scored roughly 3 goals per 100 games in his career and doesn’t have the same good passing foot as Lindelof who also offers assists.
I agree that it's only a part of the problem though, and one position doesn't fix the imbalance we have in at least 4 positions. The midfield needs proper sorting out, even if Fred and McTominay are good squad players, neither should really be in our first XI, and Pogba is not made for a midfield two, unfortunately. We'll see if either Mejbri or Garner make a breakthrough next season, but we need at the very least one competent midfielder who is comfortable on the ball and positionally sound - someone who can pick up the ball and progress our play. Neither Fred or McTominay can really do that (City away notwithstanding - which was a bit Phil Neville against Arsenal, a one-off).