Edin Dzeko - don't let him think
I like Edin Dzeko, i'll get it out there early, i think he's a decent striker but that, for me, is exactly what he is - a striker. Not a winger, not a forward and not much of a midfielder. The lad is a striker.
Edin's banged in 20 for the club this season (60 in 3 yrs and 2 months) and he gets some decent stick on here for one reason or another - primarily to do with his touch and retention of the ball.
I'll agree a little bit, he is slightly ponderous if caught 40 yards from goal facing back towards his own half but then, as i said, he's a striker, not a ball playing midfielder. Here's how he operates;
Of Dzeko's 20 goals, 16 have been 1st time hits (including 3 headers). Of the other 4, all 4 have been short 1st time touches to get the ball out of his feet and then quickly finished. None of his goals involve more than 2 touches.
That is very telling. The lad is a natural box predator - in fact he has scored just once outside the 18 yard box - and he revels in cut backs and quick crosses. He has now scored 14 in a row with a 1st time hit, nearly all with the side of his foot.
For me this says play Edin high up and constantly feed the ball into his feet from wide positions. He is returning goals even when he looks a little dejected - more proof it comes naturally to him.
For a 3rd choice (apparently) striker, he is brilliant and we should fully get behind the lad. To sell him would be madness.