Lindelof

Is it not the case that you don't actually play with an out and out DM? You play with two holding players to allow Fernandes to play further forward.

If you did play with one, I don't see why McTominay can't play there but that would mean Pogba and Fernandes ahead of him and whilst that would suit Pogba, Fernandes would have more defensive responsibilities.

comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 39 minutes ago
No way. I never think he looks all that comfortable on the ball, regardless of what people say. Can’t imagine him performing well in DM.

He’s a good back-up CB.
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Surprised nobody mentioned this earlier.

When he’s under pressure on the ball he turns into Oliver Hardy (Tom Hardy’s great grandad for the youngsters out there).

It would be a disaster.

comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 21 minutes ago
Is it not the case that you don't actually play with an out and out DM? You play with two holding players to allow Fernandes to play further forward.

If you did play with one, I don't see why McTominay can't play there but that would mean Pogba and Fernandes ahead of him and whilst that would suit Pogba, Fernandes would have more defensive responsibilities.
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Most of the board hopes we move away from 4-2-3-1

Lindelof is decent on the ball in the Europe, but he really struggled with a high press.

Wouldn’t mind seeing it in the league cup or something.

comment by Thorgen Kloppinson - I refugee from Guantanamo Bay Dance around the border like I'm Cassius Clay (U1282)
posted 5 hours, 14 minutes ago
A bit puzzling that Ole has spent half a billion and yet hasn't strengthened that position.
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If he has spent heavily there, then other places would be weaker

I struggle to see Lindelof as an outright DM. We need to remember that the role isn't as simple as 'a defender in midfield who can pass': there are defensive responsibilities but a key part of the job is progressing and recycling the ball. It's not so much a question of whether Lindelof possesses the skills, as one of experience: it's a very specialised role and takes a lot of work to develop the sense of the shifting spaces, rhythms and dynamics in that area of the pitch.

This might sound a bit contradictory, but there's a fairly fine line between playing a DM and playing with three CBs and giving one of them licence to step up into midfield. I suspect I'm talking shte here, but I'm slightly more open minded to the idea of Lindelof playing that role. Not sure it would solve the wider midfield problem though, because you'd be a brave man to play Bruno and Pogba in front of that.

(Five stars for posing an interesting question)

Neither are actually DMs when we play 4231. The reason why McFred works better than any of the other combination is that they both know their roles and compliment each other. Unfortunately, both aren't good at picking out a pass or under pressure.

Pogba would be great next to a prime Herrera and prime Matic in a three. Bruno is best in the 10 slot and not deeper.

I believe you can't play both Pogba and Bruno in the middle 3 of a 433.

No, horrible idea.

Not his biggest fan as a CB but he has decent enough defensive and playing qualities to do a better job than Fred or Matic in CDM. Worth a try.