Meh, Busquets was never quick. Or Xabi Alonso. Or Jorginho. Or Guardiola. They all seem to cope fine with playing the role.
Perhaps they found a way to cope better? (Jorginho is no better BTW) It doesnt matter though,as i'm not interested in what others did or do.
The only thing of relevance is that Rodri struggles against pace and agility,and you're bizarrely kidding yourself if you claim different.
Not sure that I actually have claimed different. My argument is that his qualities outweigh his weaknesses.
And there lies the problem.....when the need arises,mostly against the elite teams,because we rely more on the solo DM to compensate for our style of play,our engine room requires a presence with (as well as many other attributes) exceptional mobility - something Rodri will never have,and we will suffer the consequences as a result.We cannot underestimate our style of play here either. If you are a CDM in a counter-attacking team, you have, generally, very little space behind you. If your team plays a high line of possession-based football and one of your players loses the ball, you are exposed. As the CDM, you are more exposed than most. He is a wonderful player, in my opinion, but our style of play is different from the likes of Chelsea, whose CDM's, from Makalele to Kante and Jeorginho, have all looked like world-beaters because their whole setup requires less for success. Neither is right nor wrong, it just is. The three players I mention are all really top players but they have an easier role because of the way their team sets up.
Not necessarily. We just need all parts of the machine working properly. With a front line of Gabby, Foden, Grealish, and Torres (3 of), we also put a lot of pressure on the outball and that prevents the likely counter. What we saw against Spurs, was a team lacking sharpness who gave the ball away cheaply leaving us exposed. It can never be about one player having exceptional mobility, IMO, it has to be about the whole machine, working together to enhance the collective strength and mitigate individual weaknesses.And there lies the problem.....when the need arises,mostly against the elite teams,because we rely more on the solo DM to compensate for our style of play,our engine room requires a presence with (as well as many other attributes) exceptional mobility - something Rodri will never have,and we will suffer the consequences as a result.
That's the ideal game plan,but this is the Rodri thread and i'm referring to his individual battles.Occasionally,more than i'm comfortable with.....he loses out because of his ability to move sufficiently.Not necessarily. We just need all parts of the machine working properly. With a front line of Gabby, Foden, Grealish, and Torres (3 of), we also put a lot of pressure on the outball and that prevents the likely counter. What we saw against Spurs, was a team lacking sharpness who gave the ball away cheaply leaving us exposed. It can never be about one player having exceptional mobility, IMO, it has to be about the whole machine, working together to enhance the collective strength and mitigate individual weaknesses.
There is no player in the squad who isn't individually exposed at times: Raz's touch or finishing, Gundo's strength, Rhiyad not working back, KDB giving it away etc. I cannot argue with your point but the one I make is more about the whole team. No player is perfect, none, so a team recognises what players are good at, and less good at, and works to improve the whole. Anyone can argue for a more mobile CDM, but find one that is as good in the air, can pass as well, retain possession under pressure or snuff out as many attacks before they begin as Rodri and you're doing well - the stats pretty much declare him as the number one.That's the ideal game plan,but this is the Rodri thread and i'm referring to his individual battles.Occasionally,more than i'm comfortable with.....he loses out because of his ability to move sufficiently.
Surely that cannot be denied or disguised?
I'm a fan,you dont need to convince me.I just recognise his flaw too.There is no player in the squad who isn't individually exposed at times: Raz's touch or finishing, Gundo's strength, Rhiyad not working back, KDB giving it away etc. I cannot argue with your point but the one I make is more about the whole team. No player is perfect, none, so a team recognises what players are good at, and less good at, and works to improve the whole. Anyone can argue for a more mobile CDM, but find one that is as good in the air, can pass as well, retain possession under pressure or snuff out as many attacks before they begin as Rodri and you're doing well - the stats pretty much declare him as the number one.
Lavia is class and I hope it is him too. As I said, I cannot argue with your point because it is true! Great chatting with you.I'm a fan,you dont need to convince me.I just recognise his flaw too.
Overall,who would be better? im not sure......but i definitely think we need an alternative in the squad to compliment him.Hopefully Lavia can be such next season.
Likewise,on both ;-)Lavia is class and I hope it is him too. Great chatting with you.
Meh, Busquets was never quick. Or Xabi Alonso. Or Jorginho. Or Guardiola. They all seem to cope fine with playing the role.
Jorginho is not a better player than Rodri, he just happened to win more last season, and in today's fucked up football world that equates to being the better player?
I swear if England had won the WC people would still think Jorginho was wank and it'd be one of the English Chelsea boys lapping up the praise.
Jorginho has none of the physicality of Rodri but is no faster and has a shorter passing range. Also no goal threat except when the ball is on the spot.
Jorginho is not a better player than Rodri, he just happened to win more last season, and in today's fucked up football world that equates to being the better player?
I swear if England had won the WC people would still think Jorginho was wank and it'd be one of the English Chelsea boys lapping up the praise.
Jorginho has none of the physicality of Rodri but is no faster and has a shorter passing range. Also no goal threat except when the ball is on the spot.
Jorginho is a class act definitely.Jorginho has a much, much, much better passing range than Rodri.
I'm a big Rodri fan but I can also recognise the strengths in others. Some of the passes Jorginho plays are insane.
Jorginho is a class act definitely.
One of the things that makes Rodri better than people realise is that although he's slow he's a big fucking unit (unlike all the other slow Pep style DMs). And for the most part he's really good at using that to his advantage.
The amount of times I've seen him win aerial duels or just nonchalantly bump guys off the ball is really impressive, especially in this overly physical league. He's not 100% successful but he's improving, and with experience he's going to be incredibly efficient with this one day soon hopefully.
A lot our pressing high up the pitch is greatly assisted by the human refrigerator that is Rodri.
Agreed. He has that John Stones curse of it always ending up in a goal when it does go wrong too, so he needs to be as careful as he can be.In terms of using his frame, one area he does need to improve on (and I'm confident he will) is not going down too easily when put under physical pressure. Referees aren't likely to give you a decision on that if you've been bouncing players around all game like he does, and we've seen a few occasions where he's left appealing for a foul as the opponents come away with the ball
This post is in accord with how I perceive both Rodri and Fernandinho. Nonetheless, my previous post stands.Rodri does break up plays, does prevent counter attacks, does link up play from deep in both halves, maybe Pep has a broader opinion of his role and plays him because he fulfils the role Pep sees. At his best Ferna was much more than a midfield destroyer and much more than what you term a "so-called DM".