Eliaquim Mangala

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

If Kolarov was a left side centre half all his career he would be very sort after, he does a good job in there.

Yep, 'sorted' our left side right out (:

 

[Blue Coop]

I still think Mangala could be decent to be honest. He's the kind of player we'd sell for £10m and he'd become a £25m player within a season again.

 

[Cityfan]

WHy argue why not just have the dream pairing of Eliaquim and Aleksander

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

The way Pep plays every player has to be comfortable in possession.

Thats what Rio had going for him .....

I think Pep would like a team of David Silvas with some variation in size according to position. Silva in goal but the size of Bert Trautmann, a David Silva Vinny lookalike at CB, David Silva at full back but looking as ugly as our Kyle, and so on, until we have the perfect fit! That's be some team. Christ knows what they'd charge the FOCs in CBL3 for a concession ST!

 

[Chipmeister]

Kolarov is an excellent footballer, converted to a left sided centre back he can be very good, is he better than a Lescott ? I reckon he is and worth keeping as an important squad player. In my opinion

 

[Blue Coop]

Kolarov is an excellent footballer, converted to a left sided centre back he can be very good, is he better than a Lescott ? I reckon he is and worth keeping as an important squad player. In my opinion

Kolarov is never a better defender than Lescott was.

 

[TonyM]

IMO if Mangala is told to keep it very simple in terms of passing he'd be better than Stones being told to pass with more freedom.

Maybe I'm just a dinosaur but a CB only has to make a few decisions when not being a "destroyer" -
1. Pass back ( in our case to keepers who can use the ball well)
2. Pass it sideways to the other CB or the nearest fullback (who should all be better to make the next move)
3. Pass it forward a few yards to a CM (providing that there's no pressure)
4. Boot it long
5. Kick it out.

IMO the CB should never be ashamed to do the last 2. Just not all the time ala Dunne :-)

Boggles me that Stones is above Mangala. I want Stones to improve and play to learn but as it stands I'd bet one whole euro that Mangala would be the better partner for Kompany.

If we get another CB I hope they can actually defend.

 

[Sir peace frog]

IMO if Mangala is told to keep it very simple in terms of passing he'd be better than Stones being told to pass with more freedom.

Maybe I'm just a dinosaur but a CB only has to make a few decisions when not being a "destroyer" -
1. Pass back ( in our case to keepers who can use the ball well)
2. Pass it sideways to the other CB or the nearest fullback (who should all be better to make the next move)
3. Pass it forward a few yards to a CM (providing that there's no pressure)
4. Boot it long
5. Kick it out.

IMO the CB should never be ashamed to do the last 2. Just not all the time ala Dunne :-)

Boggles me that Stones is above Mangala. I want Stones to improve and play to learn but as it stands I'd bet one whole euro that Mangala would be the better partner for Kompany.

If we get another CB I hope they can actually defend.

what happens when everybody is covered ,mangala boots it long gives away possession , stones goes past a player drawing another player towards him then passes to a free man, pep will not have it any other way.

for what its worth imo mangala has all the attributes to be a world class center half.

 

[Cityfan]

IMO if Mangala is told to keep it very simple in terms of passing he'd be better than Stones being told to pass with more freedom.

Maybe I'm just a dinosaur but a CB only has to make a few decisions when not being a "destroyer" -
1. Pass back ( in our case to keepers who can use the ball well)
2. Pass it sideways to the other CB or the nearest fullback (who should all be better to make the next move)
3. Pass it forward a few yards to a CM (providing that there's no pressure)
4. Boot it long
5. Kick it out.

IMO the CB should never be ashamed to do the last 2. Just not all the time ala Dunne :-)

Boggles me that Stones is above Mangala. I want Stones to improve and play to learn but as it stands I'd bet one whole euro that Mangala would be the better partner for Kompany.

If we get another CB I hope they can actually defend.

The passing doesn't have to be complex but the problem with Mangala is that he is not comfortable receiving the ball in a tight situation.

 

[TonyM]

what happens when everybody is covered ,mangala boots it long gives away possession , stones goes past a player drawing another player towards him then passes to a free man, pep will not have it any other way.

for what its worth imo mangala has all the attributes to be a world class center half.

Obviously Pep has some catching up to do in terms of matching my amazing tactical awareness. Cut your cloth to measure Mr.G.