#11 | Oleksandr Zinchenko - 2020/21 Performances

[@BluePhil8]

Humble pie time. Loved him in the Centurion/treble seasons, thought it was time to go last summer. Fuck that. I’d happily drag my ball sack over broken glass if it meant Zin would start every game at left back over Mendy.

 

[Ban-jani]

He's not ideal at LB but considering the other option in Mendy, I think it's a clear choice

He links up incredibly well and when you have so many good players on the ball in rhythm like that, you can create numerical advantages even without blazing speed - no one is faster than the ball as Pep/Cruyff would say

Happy to see City turn a corner here, they are in good form with reinforcements on the way

Yeah going forward Zinchenko is great at creating Pep’s famous overloads, as he’s really a CAM by trade but hard enough in the tackle to play LB for us.

Positioning let’s him down from time to time but you’re right, he’s miles better than Mendy.

 

[samarasra]

Every top squad has 1 or 2 "forgotten" players who always do a job when needed, only get noticed when making a mistake and rarely credited with the support they give to the headliners. He is the epitome of a team player, I hope Pep was whispering in his ear as they left the pitch "don't dream of leaving, your club appreciates you".

 

[domalino]

I'm certainly glad he wasn't forcibly booted out of the club in the summer like some posters suggested.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

The lad gives 100% every game he plays and that’s all I like to see for a squad player.

 

[GBrannan]

I'm certainly glad he wasn't forcibly booted out of the club in the summer like some posters suggested.

It depends if he’s going for £20/25m and we then buy a top left back in his place... Then he should be sold. If he goes and another make weight comes in then it wouldn’t have been/ wouldn’t be a great idea because he’s a solid player.

For me, he’s a bit like Fernandinho playing centre back. He’s good for occasional games but over a longer period you notice that he’s not really a long-term fit. In the centre back position, we’ve brought a top quality guy in and the difference is huge, not just over guys that had to fill in but over other guys that play that role and were inconsistent. He’s also made others around him better.

Bring a top quality left back in and we’d see a similar improvement. We may choose to keep Zinchenko but move Mendy on, even as a loan because we want the no dickheads approach and a versatile squad player.

However, a top class left back needs to be found come the summer and Zinchenko might need to go because we can actually sell him and, for accountancy purposes, show a good profit that balances the books for a big signing in that position.

 

[NQCitizen]

If a guy who's smaller slower and weaker than his competition can be our best left back through intelligence, concentration and positioning you do have to wonder how good he'd actually be in his preferred position in midfield?

Id love to see Zin get 3 games in a row in the middle before we lose him.

 

[mdj0520]

Yeah humble pie time.

I wanted him gone and mendy to stay.

Fuck me right.

 

[wolviedinho]

Yep, apologies Zin I was all for you leaving. Last few games have been a huge improvement especially the passing and movement.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Hands up Zin, I was wrong to write you off lad.

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

I have to say I'd rather him at left-back most of the time over every other option. I know he has a rick in him but I think he's been generally very good filling in there for a long time now.

 

[yankblue]

Played pretty well against Chelsea and United after more or less not playing for over a year. Well done, Zin

He's always been good going forward but could be exposed defensively - which to be fair is not unexpected as a natural midfielder. But that's something that's much easier to live with when the CB partnership is a brick wall compared to the mess it was last year

 

[FantasyIreland]

He has taken his chance well these past two games,clearly not a left back but he is doing an admirable job.

 

[super_city_si]

Think he’s been great the last two matches.

 

[supersonicblue]

excellent especially with his crisp passing which helps get out so much quicker. Made some great tackles and interceptions. Only worry is defending the back post

 

[mcfc_ms]

Started off poor by giving it away a bit. Soon settled in though and kept rashford quiet all game. I can only think of one time Rashford got the better of him and he ended up being offside

Great player to have in the team

 

[Cotton Weave Blue]

excellent especially with his crisp passing which helps get out so much quicker. Made some great tackles and interceptions. Only worry is defending the back post

Attackers one on one is a pretty big flaw too. But agree with the above been steady the last 2 games and taken his chance again when it looked like he might be out of favour.

 

[supersonicblue]

Attackers one on one is a pretty big flaw too. But agree with the above been steady the last 2 games and taken his chance again when it looked like he might be out of favour.

Yeah I was worried when someone ran at him

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

He retains possession a lot better than Mendy and looks like he is getting his form back where he nailed down the left back position into the back end of the 18-19 season. A few of them went at him a couple of times but if you’ve got Diaz mopping up behind you it’s not a biggie.

 

[shemnel]

bless this lad, i cant think of a more honest workaday player in the squad since Delph, except Zinchenko is slightly better.

He's not the best, no, but god loves a trier and whilst trying really hard might not win you the champions league, it will certainly get you a win at the swamp on a freezing wednesday. Still had the balls to attack (a bit) despite having a far faster player in Rashford on his left shoulder. Anyone who has played against a far faster player at full back will know that the temptation to just sit deep and not be skinned is overwhelming. Commendable.