#25 | Fernandinho - 2021/22 Performances

[Tugay One Cup]

Moura running away from him a few times meant little to me as only Walker in our squad could stop him.

Fern actually managed to catch him when he was running down the left in the second half as well.

 

[City_Sean]

He's 36 and its unfair for him to be asked to go again at this level. The worst thing is seeing a player regress in front of your eyes.

 

[samuelyeboah]

hah! maybe we did watch different matches then. funny how that can happen, you remember someone having a mare whilst others think they were immense :)

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

I thought he was very good first half but tired very quickly in the second, which is probably understandable given his age. Hope Pep takes this into account throughout the season and doesn't just flog him

 

[Vicious111]

Had a few good tackles and broke up some counters. That being said, doesn't look like he has the legs anymore. Maybe keep him for cup games etc.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Had a few good tackles and broke up some counters. That being said, doesn't look like he has the legs anymore. Maybe keep him for cup games etc.

Unfortunately, Fernandinho is our only midfield destroyer - Rodri and Gundo are gifted players in the deep-lying midfield role - but they're, neither one, defensive stalwarts.

 

[kaz7]

He cant hold the fort on his own and cover other useless players

 

[Vicious111]

Unfortunately, Fernandinho is our only midfield destroyer - Rodri and Gundo are gifted players in the deep-lying midfield role - but they're, neither one, defensive stalwarts.

Unfortunately, you are absolutely spot on. Rodri also just doesn't seem to be producing the goods. Hopefully that will change this season however.

 

[Gabriel]

Sure he appreciated the ways Rodri and Cancelo brought Norwich players down so high up the pitch today. None of that running the length of the pitch nonsense.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Unfortunately, you are absolutely spot on. Rodri also just doesn't seem to be producing the goods. Hopefully that will change this season however.

Rodri is class. But to appreciate him - fans need to look at him for what he offers.

He's basically a metronome. He keeps the game ticking. He's almost always open - so pass the ball to him - and he'll immediately pass it on. That's his game - and he's extremely good at it.

Rodri, however, is not at all a defensive midfielder in the mold of Fernandinho/Kante. He's not a destroyer. He 's not blessed with pace and even if he does recognize a defensive problem, average pace won't allow him to get there in time whereas a pacy DM destroyer might get there with ease.
===
TL/DR:
Rodri - mostly metronome. Not a DM destroyer.
Fernandinho - mostly destroyer. Very old now - so skills waning. Need a replacement. Not a metronome.