Jonathan David to Juve. Sancho next?

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 3 minutes ago
I hope I’m massively wrong about Bruno as a CM, I know these types of stats help us paint a far better picture when used correctly and I’m useless when it comes to them as it’s a part of the game that I have no interest in personally so rarely engage with them because so often I’ve been shown stuff that don’t apply because they’re being used misleadingly.
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He's a no.10. He should be a final third operator.

When you compare his stats against AMs/Wingers, including previous seasons, his output is in much higher percentiles than compared to this season against other CMs.

To me that shows he's a much better attacking midfielder / no.10 than he is central midfielder. I think he is doing a job in the deeper role but there are plenty who could do it a lot better (he's only 23rd per centile for short pass completion) and perhaps offer more box to box, while there are few better if you compare him to attacking midfielders.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 46 minutes ago
The eye test can be a funny thing, particularly when combined with preconceptions through which we filter reality. I've always believed that the "Bruno is wasteful" thing was a bit exaggerated, and I'm amazed so many people don't see what I think I'm seeing, which is that he's become more and more disciplined/conservative in his use of the ball since Amorim took over and as a result is completing a lot more of his passes. I guess those who have viewed him as an unreliable passer and/or far too wedded to the hero ball will particularly register the occasional misplaced pass and any unsuccessful attempts at key passes. We're all vulnerable to cognitive dissonance. So it's useful to have those stats (which back up my view!).
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100%. The data has never supported the argument that he’s been particularly wasteful in possession as a number ten.

The hero-ball stuff was a factor of how ETH wanted to use him.

He’s not really playing any deeper on the pitch anyway.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 51 minutes ago
Do these figures tell us much if we don’t know how much of this is from playing deeper? The only player on that list who plays deeper is Fernandez.

Last month you showed me stats that proved Chelsea will keep Sancho.
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When was that?

Devonshirespur

No I agree. Part of me feels that Amorim likes him because he probably has a far better understanding of tactics and what he wants and is the best person to pass on his ideas onto the pitch.

The Amorim system will not get the best out of Bruno IMO.

You wouldnt ask the likes of Madison or Grealish or Foden to play in a CM 2. It doesnt even really suit Mount and Mainoo.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 8 hours, 11 minutes ago
I worry Mainoo lacks the fitness and speed needed in Amorim's midfield. I also think he's still developing and making him a regular starter isn't what he needs right now. We only bought Ugarte less than a year ago, don't think we can afford to give up on him already, yes he is lacking in some areas but I think you pair him with the right player and you have a decent midfield.

At Villa Luiz was paired with Kamara who isn't the most technical but it worked because they complimented each other and Kamara's main role was to win the ball and move it on.
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Do you think he'd be able to play in the 10 role, potentially with a number 8 behind him that's a McT style runner? Could allow him to get on the ball in dangerous positions, where he excels, without having the risk of him getting bullied in areas where it could be costly.

Possibly, he played well further forward in a couple games last season and I think he played there a bit with the youth set ups. He’s still young and developing and I don’t think we yet know what his best role is but I do think there are genuine concerns about whether he has the attributes to fit in an Amorim set up. Which is a shame because he’s a cracking talent.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Possibly, he played well further forward in a couple games last season and I think he played there a bit with the youth set ups. He’s still young and developing and I don’t think we yet know what his best role is but I do think there are genuine concerns about whether he has the attributes to fit in an Amorim set up. Which is a shame because he’s a cracking talent.
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Amorim is a big fan of scuttlers, and Kobbie isn’t really a scuttler.

He’ll be fine after Xmas when we’ve sacked the fraud.