Gazza M wrote:
i've seen a bit of this LWB talk in relation to lemar - really? he doesn't seem like the type to have the engine to get up and down all game. he's more of a deft creator than a powerhouse. mendy or sidibe are the ones to look at if you're talking about wingbacks
It depends what you're looking for in the player that plays in those wide positions. Personally, I absolutely loved watching Chamberlain progress the play with clever passing and loved it even more when he went at opponents like a steam train and got genuine quality crosses into the box. Okay he's not very clever defensively but he does try hard and has fantastic recovery pace. I prefer that to when Bellerin has played there, even though the Spaniard had been impressive too, he isn't half the threat Chamberlain is.
Lemar is obviously not the physical specimen Chambo is but he is fast and can run all day. He's also not got the same kind of threat running with the ball but his crossing is probably the best I've seen in the Champions League this season. He is small but he's also combative and hard working. Personally don't think he has the quality to be a top attacking midfielder/Number 10 at this point and I don't think he will ever have, but as a wingback in our team, I think he could be a revelation.
I also think one of the under appreciated benefits of playing with smart technical players in those two wingback positions is that it makes us less vulnerable to teams that press us aggressively. It gives us two more players in the team that have experience playing higher up the pitch and coping with the reduced time you get there, with the increased time and space you get deeper at wingback their touch and awareness really becomes a benefit.
Besides I've seen a lot of fullbacks in the Champions League this season, Mendy and Sidibe included, and the moment their team is under pressure they get roasted. They're both up there with the best around this season and yet they both can'take really defend for toffee. Think, for example, of the second leg against City when Sterling and Sane were crucifying them for 25 minutes in the second half. They must have let them in behind 10+ times between them. Whilst their threat going forward and delivery into the box don't come close to matching Lemar's or Chamberlain's.
