While his general level of play has been decent, there is no end product to 90% of his on ball contribution.
He rarely has the pace to get past anyone, it’s clear he can’t cross on his left, unless you’re looking for a 9 iron to the back stick, and his goal scoring is virtually non-existent.
In short, if we could find an academy product who doesn’t give the ball away very often, we might get to recoup HALF of that ridiculous transfer fee. Oh wait, we signed another guy and then there’s Oscar Bobb itching to get in the team!
He can be integral to build up play, but he is mainly a recycler of the ball backwards and inside, flicked with the outside of his right foot.
All of our wingers need to learn how to make a half yard of space from nothing, so they can get a ball across the front of the goal towards the far post.
Hate to even mention their name, but Fergie’s United were masters of overwhelming defence, especially late on, by pummeling them with crosses from the far corner of the 18 yd box. KDB does it and is considered a genius, but Bernardo, Bobb, Foden, Doku, Alvarez, and even Grealish should be able to play that ball for attackers crashing the six yard box and far post.
Sadly, though, we rarely put THAT ball into the box, because we just don’t like to give up possession of the ball and the potential for a counterattack. However, sooner or later, we do give up the ball trying to snake our way in there, and are are still susceptible to that same counter if we are committed forward.