4 | Tijjani Reijnders - 2025/26

Not an 8. Playing as an 8 eliminates his 1 stand out feature which is his forward off the ball running.

Today we had the right lineup for him to play as the 10 but whether through instruction or his own intuition, he repeatedly dropped too deep into areas he wasnt needed and subsequently offered nothing in an attacking department.
 
First week he looked like his AC Milan days, few weeks later he looks frightened to death of anything outside of backwards and sideways. Pep just beat the flair out of him within a few weeks
 
I'm With Stupid said:
There's been a huge move towards players who can carry the ball. If you watch those stats types on Youtube, you'll see that everyone we have bought and been linked in is really strong in 'progressive carries,' which basically means dribbling the ball up the pitch by themselves. Kovacic is another one as was Nunes at Wolves. Gibbs-White and Eze, who we were linked to over the last two summer windows, were also strong in this area. It's bizarre really, because it seems to go against what Pep used to rely on to move the ball up the pitch, which is good positioning, quick passing and interplay. Now we've got players who don't seem to have the same technique to receive the ball in tight spaces with the possible exception of Cherki. It's also compounded by Haaland, who is probably the worst offender in terms of a poor first touch. It suggests a change of tactics, but then we haven't really seen that change materialize.
Click to expand...
Doku’s great at carrying the ball - superb balance, fast feet, elite change of pace, strong, self confidence, not easily deterred - he ticks virtually every box except the most important one. No end product.

As a one off, used as an impact sub or a guy to tire out defenders and make way for someone more creative late on there’s nowt wrong with having a guy like him in the squad.

The problem is we have 5 or 6 players of his ilk.
 
decmancity said:
First week he looked like his AC Milan days, few weeks later he looks frightened to death of anything outside of backwards and sideways. Pep just beat the flair out of him within a few weeks
Click to expand...
It’s bad enough rival fans pushing this narrative which is absolute bollocks have you ever seen the flair players who have played under Pep some of the greatest ever who have upmost respect for him
 
Axel Freed said:
As a one off, used as an impact sub or a guy to tire out defenders and make way for someone more creative late on there’s nowt wrong with having a guy like him in the squad.
Click to expand...
He's come on in the last two games and done fuck all though, so he's not even offering that at the moment.
 
Gordyola said:
It’s bad enough rival fans pushing this narrative which is absolute bollocks have you ever seen the flair players who have played under Pep some of the greatest ever who have upmost respect for him
Click to expand...
Cool, what’s players in the past got to do with the here and now?
 
Feel for the lad - he's being asked to play different positions already whilst trying to learn about a new league and new teammates. This is another issue with our recruitment - we buy players and don't seem to have a concrete plan of how to get the best out of them - we try to turn them into Swiss Army knives.
 
decmancity said:
I think Pep is serving up turgid football and has done for 18mths. Reijnders looks devoid of any confidence and flair in the past two weeks.
Click to expand...
Not really an answer to the question
However in most games we face 10 men behind the ball and low block trying to win on the counter and this leads to the turgid football you describe it’s also becoming more common in general Takes two to tango as they say
Just watched the scousers v Arsenal and that was turgid both of them scared and won by a FK very unimpressed by all the new signings as well
Reijnders hasn’t look devoid of confidence imho he’s trying and learning the PL and his new club not hiding which he would do if he was devoid of confidence as you allege Thought today he was linking up with Rodri well and showed promise in his third game
 
Disappointed in him today, looked weak. He was good V Wolves, maybe the lack of pre season hasnt helped - presumably he’ll play for the national team then come back ready to stick it to United!!
 
Columbia said:
No one else wanted to sign him. Middle of Lidl purchase.
Click to expand...
He has had just one good season for AC Milan, the same as Marmoush, who had a good 1.5 years. Nobody wanted Nico as well. Our aim it seems is not get into bidding war with other clubs
 
Blue-Ghana said:
He has had just one good season for AC Milan, the same as Marmoush, who had a good 1.5 years. Nobody wanted Nico as well. Our aim it seems is not get into bidding war with other clubs
Click to expand...
Spot on and that’s my point. A bit of a theme that we pull out of deals for Rice, Wirtz and go for these “under radar” purchases which aren’t cheap and from where I sit also aren’t good enough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top