Tony Montana wrote:
Patters wrote:
What you want to be isn't necessarily what you are.
He's not a workhouse player.
Just because you are not as good as other players at being "flashy" doesn't mean he should stop being so. Not everyone's of the same ability. For example Adams is not a top four player but his talents lie in that creative role (whatever it is). He was good at Blackpool and he will continue at Stoke.
For example, there are players in League 2 who play in a similar way to Cazorla. They're not nearly as good but it doesn't mean they should all just be workhouses.
Being a "workhouse" is a skill in itself as well. You don't just turn up and play like De Jong and be successful. Even then, the "workhouse" roll is adapting and it's more important to be like Arteta, Busquets, Carrick etc. It's not a secondary position or skill. Football is a team game and the keeper is often as important as the strikers.
Doing what you're best at isn't necessarily what's best for the team or your career. It's a simple allocation exercise. Lets take Arteta - we consider him to be a top DM. It's possible that, after Everton, he might've fancied playing an equally - or more - creative role but since we're better covered in that area, it was better for him (and his career) to play DM. And he's doing a fine job. Before he joined Arsenal I don't think many (if any) expected this to be his role. We would've said this is not his natural position. But he has adapted very well.
Similarly Theo's best position is probably as a striker. His relative strengths are finishing and you'll find many arguing that playing as the centre forward is his 'natural' position. But from the club's point of view (and not just Arsenal...other teams too), it's very beneficial to have someone out-wide who can chip in with a 1 in 3 goalscoring record, and perhaps the trend is now to have strikers who have a great all-round game.
With Cleverley, if he's not talented enough to be a great creative player, he should consider developing other facets of his game while he is still young. Competition should always an important part of your decision. The idealist view of 'just do what you enjoy', alone, doesn't work in any job market. You have to compare yourself with others in your position - if you're not up to scratch, try to find something you can compete on.
As for your last point - you're preaching to the choir. I was championing the talentless Jenkinson last season while he was getting criticised by gooners. I have a soft spot for players who are able to run around a lot. And of course it's not a 'lesser' role - but some roles require less technical ability than others.
And btw, I'm not normally pedantic but since it's being mentioned so often, I think you mean 'workhorse'.
