Eliaquim Mangala - 2017/18 performances

[MarsLlama]

Otamendi and Mangala need a Kompany next to them to lead them. Stones too, in some games, although he's growing out of that shell lately. Doesn't make them bad defenders. But no way we'd go into a big game with a Stones-Mangala CB pairing.

 

[taconinja]

He’s still not good enough on the ball for the team. Gundogan bailed him out many times yesterday. BUT he’s very much willing to learn it seems and Pep’s willing to give him a chance so let’s hope he keeps getting better and better.

Agreed. He wants to be here so fair play to him, but for a central defender, he sure does need an awful lot of protection just to do the basics of his job.

 

[shevtheblue]

His main issue is lack of composure, he IS able to pass the ball as seen with his cross-field switch for the first goal and he IS able to defend as seen with his defending well at times last night. His issue is confidence to take responsibility and not panic, belief that he has the ability to take the ball and not just smash it out. The question is, desire aside, is Pep able to make him believe, like he did with Abidal, that he can do it.

 

[Danny_Johnson4]

Lacks composure on the ball and that is a killer for any player in a Pep team. Everything he does just looks like panic stations. Where I feel sorry for him a bit, is that he will inevitably play when we are at our weakest.

The second point you made is spot on and something I always have an issue with, particularly in International football, whilst having no answer as to how to avoid it

For example Jay Rodriguez was banging in the goals for So'ton and being linked with all the top clubs prior to making his England debut
He was then portrayed as not good enough by the media after having his england cap tainted by it being a genuine 'B' side with him at the point
How is that a kind of introduction or chance at proving himself in the actual England team with the better players not even involved?

It seems the same for Mangala, only he was actually afforded the chance after his move and was pretty dreadful at times. As you say, Panic stations. The proverbial rabbit in headlights.

 

[Neville Kneville]

His main issue is lack of composure, he IS able to pass the ball as seen with his cross-field switch for the first goal and he IS able to defend as seen with his defending well at times last night. His issue is confidence to take responsibility and not panic, belief that he has the ability to take the ball and not just smash it out. The question is, desire aside, is Pep able to make him believe, like he did with Abidal, that he can do it.

I think that's it in a nutshell.

But if we look at JFE's fantastic display of organised pointing whilst Sané fucked off into the distance to score the winner, we may decide we have dodged a fucking bullet by Mangala staying at City.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

He’s not to bad have as 4th choice centre back.

 

[hjm1962]

keep him for the agro matches.. there are a few....

 

[greasedupdeafguy]

Reminded me of Savic tonight. Dreadful

 

[MeatHunterrr]

has to be shipped in january

 

[RandomJ]

has to be shipped in january

We've tried shipping him for years. He's on silly wages and he's just not that good. Still 18 months left on his bloody contract as well.