Aleksandar Kolarov - 2016/17 performances

[Gaylord du Bois]

He's appalling at making a challenge when the attacker has the ball, which just about sums him up - a defender that can't defend.

But hey ho, he can pass a ball when not challenged so he must be great.

He'll never be a 'great' but you don't his longevity by being a dud.

 

[cleavers]

Kolarov is surprisingly tolerable at CB considering he couldn't be arsed defending at LB, that's all.

It's an interesting argument, as a CB in a 2, he's generally quite good, because he is disciplined in that role to defend, but he's poor in a 3 CB system, because he remembers being a LB, and plays like an attacking LB, and he's awful at LB because he's asked to attack, which he does, but he forgets defending altogether.

Clichy on the other hand defends as a LB, but because he's asked to attack he does, but has no real idea how, as a CB in a 3 he's not got the reliability, and gets caught between the 2 roles, but as CB in a 2 looks OK, but not great.

We've a similar dilemma on the right. Sagna is the better defender, but Zab is the better attacker, Zab can also play the tucked in role quite well, as he understands the DM role quite well, whilst Sagna can play well as a a CB in a 3, but I don't think Zab could.

If we could somehow combine the abilities of both FB's, on both sides, into 1 single player on each side, they'd probably produce the perfect player.

It will be interesting to see how Pep deals with this in the summer, especially given the relevant ages of all 4, I don't think we will replace them all, I think we'll keep 2, so my bet would be Zab and Kolarov for their attacking abilities.

 

[SebastianBlue]

He's appalling at making a challenge when the attacker has the ball, which just about sums him up - a defender that can't defend.

But hey ho, he can pass a ball when not challenged so he must be great.

To be fair Rammy, all but the world class defenders are actually pretty awful at challenging attackers when they have the ball (contrary to the widely accept belief otherwise). That's just down to the nature of defending: the attackers always have the significant advantage as the defender is always reacting. Yes, defenders can do certain things to help themselves (like showing a less profitable side to the attacker to run on or keeping perpendicular to the attacker's hips and so on) but ultimately it's all reaction. It gets even worse when it is a very good attacker (or better). Messi, Agüero, Ronaldo, Bale, Hazard, Costa (both varieties), Raul, and others have made some of the best defenders in the world (and all time) look sub par players. Boateng (a much better defender than we have a tendency of giving him credit for) was made to look like a pub league player.

I think his reactions and general defending from centrehalf is actually fairly good. What I wish he would cut out are the "simple" lapses of concentration in between those bits. That would improve his game exponentially.

 

[Dax777]

It's an interesting argument, as a CB in a 2, he's generally quite good, because he is disciplined in that role to defend, but he's poor in a 3 CB system, because he remembers being a LB, and plays like an attacking LB, and he's awful at LB because he's asked to attack, which he does, but he forgets defending altogether.

Clichy on the other hand defends as a LB, but because he's asked to attack he does, but has no real idea how, as a CB in a 3 he's not got the reliability, and gets caught between the 2 roles, but as CB in a 2 looks OK, but not great.

We've a similar dilemma on the right. Sagna is the better defender, but Zab is the better attacker, Zab can also play the tucked in role quite well, as he understands the DM role quite well, whilst Sagna can play well as a a CB in a 3, but I don't think Zab could.

If we could somehow combine the abilities of both FB's, on both sides, into 1 single player on each side, they'd probably produce the perfect player.

It will be interesting to see how Pep deals with this in the summer, especially given the relevant ages of all 4, I don't think we will replace them all, I think we'll keep 2, so my bet would be Zab and Kolarov for their attacking abilities.

Kolarov is definitely staying coz he is the only one still on a contract of all the fullbacks. Not to mention he has been the best of all 4 this season. Albeit playing mostly at CB when he performs.

I think Clichy is almost guaranteed to go. One of Zab or Sagna might stay on. I think it would be Sagna if one does stay. He is a far better overall Fullback these days. Even if Zab is still superior at joining the attack. But I hope both move on. Zab perhaps retire and start coaching with us.

We should go get an explosive RB and LB. We need it.

 

[Easy]

Kolarov is definitely staying coz he is the only one still on a contract of all the fullbacks. Not to mention he has been the best of all 4 this season. Albeit playing mostly at CB when he performs.

I think Clichy is almost guaranteed to go. One of Zab or Sagna might stay on. I think it would be Sagna if one does stay. He is a far better overall Fullback these days. Even if Zab is still superior at joining the attack. But I hope both move on. Zab perhaps retire and start coaching with us.

We should go get an explosive RB and LB. We need it.

I'm pretty sure Kolarov's contract is up in the summer. Have done well at CB but would cut him loose in favor of a new CB, probably Laporte.

 

[Dax777]

I'm pretty sure Kolarov's contract is up in the summer. Have done well at CB but would cut him loose in favor of a new CB, probably Laporte.

Hmmm. I thought the 6 up in the summer were as follows:

Sagna
Clichy
Zabaleta
Yaya
Caballero
Navas.

 

[Easy]

Hmmm. I thought the 6 up in the summer were as follows:

Sagna
Clichy
Zabaleta
Yaya
Caballero
Navas.

Could be, seems most sources have his contract until 2018. Though I also recall countless instances were his name was mentioned as one of the players to go in the summer.

Anyway would prefer to see him leave. Should not play LB after this season and at CB we'll have Stones, Otamendi, maybe a fit Kompany, and most likely a new CB. There is also the possibility that Denayer returns. Don't see much room for Kola.

 

[Dax777]

Could be, seems most sources have his contract until 2018. Though I also recall countless instances were his name was mentioned as one of the players to go in the summer.

Anyway would prefer to see him leave. Should not play LB after this season and at CB we'll have Stones, Otamendi, maybe a fit Kompany, and most likely a new CB. There is also the possibility that Denayer returns. Don't see much room for Kola.

I think his name often mentioned coz everyone hopes he leaves ;)

I think at CB he's been more than capable. So I'll keep him till the end of his contract on that alone. Or at least tl December, and if we are set with what we did in the summer, can push him on to China in the January window.

 

[City_Sean]

I want to actually give Kolarov some praise. I think over the last month or so he's actually been really good, he was impressive again on Sunday, and he impressed me the game before against West Ham.

He isn't perfect and he does have his fault, but he also has his qualities which is why he's played more minutes than other player. Pep must be a fan.

 

[Dax777]

I want to actually give Kolarov some praise. I think over the last month or so he's actually been really good, he was impressive again on Sunday, and he impressed me the game before against West Ham.

He isn't perfect and he does have his fault, but he also has his qualities which is why he's played more minutes than other player. Pep must be a fan.

More people should. I have raised my hand up for being one of his worst critics. To my defense, I was railing at his brainlessnes at LB, when I concluded 'moving him on' would be our greatest improvement.

I guess I meant moving him from leftback :p He has been a good CB. Still a mostly average to shitty LB though.