Sounds like liberos and back 3s are making a comeback

#retro

Big Willie wrote:

Savz wrote:

I agree.
But to say he's not a good defender because his defending isn't great doesn't bode well with me

I've explained it but I will spell it out.

Defenders nowadays need to do more than just defend. They need to be ball players and have better technique than ever before.

You can be a defender that is rated 6/10 at defending but 8/10 technique, 9/10 speed and 9/10 when it comes to passing and you will be valued rather highly.

Overall you may not be a T.Silva or a Bonucci when tackling, but being fantastic in other aspects make's you a sought after defender. Stones is the prime example of that.

Savz wrote:

Big Willie wrote:

I've explained it but I will spell it out.

Defenders nowadays need to do more than just defend. They need to be ball players and have better technique than ever before.

You can be a defender that is rated 6/10 at defending but 8/10 technique, 9/10 speed and 9/10 when it comes to passing and you will be valued rather highly.

Overall you may not be a T.Silva or a Bonucci when tackling, but being fantastic in other aspects make's you a sought after defender. Stones is the prime example of that.

Thanks for spelling it out. It wasn't clear. I'm still a little unsure though, does the future of defenders require a defender for the position or a midfielder that just happens to be playing deep? 

Also what methodology is used to come to these ratings? Is there a barometer for 1/10 and 10/10? Or is it just subjective?

The /10 thing was just random, but you surely understand the point; Even if John Stones isn't the next Baresi, he will be picked up by a big team for multiple other reasons. Last year he finished with the highest average pass length and highest pass accuracy. 89% Pass Accuracy with 1340 Completed Passes.

He's actually a very underrated defender, gets overly exposed for Everton when they throw too many men forward.

Thanks pal, I get it. But really, do you really think a ball playing defender who's good at the playmaking side of things but not so good at the defensive side of things is more valuable than one who is the opposite? If so don't you think it'll result in people skinning each other inside, outside, left, right and centre?

I'm not saying it's more important it's just one of the 2 options at CB. One rock+One with more natural ability.

Stones+Kompany/Otamendi would be good for Pep if he were to go for it. Let's see though, I'm hoping he moves so I can see him in a better environment than just Everton, has all the ingredients..

Savz wrote:

Do you know where the future of football lies when it comes to CB's? I've said it twice on here already. To be good at defending and competent at bringing the ball out of defensive and using the space ahead of you wisely.

More note should have been made of this. A historic moment! Finally the ball-playing centre half has been invented, and in a forum post on OMITT too.

Stop with the wind ups mate. They've been around for a decade but in the coming years one of the two cbs will be better technically.

I believe the ball playing cb has been around rather longer than a decade. Franz Beckenbauer, for instance, total football, Brazil in the 60's, etc

A decade

IMore prominant.

What I'm getting at is total football, you'll see them everywhere rather than a few instances like back in the 60s and 70s.

True, true. Don't mind me.

Laporte has renewed his contract with Bilbao, €70m release clause. Delighted for Bilbao, added bonus of it being bad news for City.

Savz wrote:

I agree.
But to say he's not a good defender because his defending isn't great doesn't bode well with me

Keep up you two, that quotes already been taken care of at the top of the page.

Amazing coup, that guy is easily good enough for us.

Payet and Feghouli on their wings. Huge upgrade.