Full Backs?

[ojeme]

There really is more to this. In Liverpool's system Robertson and TAA provide the width. Mane and Salah tuck in forcing the opposition to get narrow thus the fullbacks having time and space to whip in crosses. Our fullbacks especially Walker are defenders first. Our dual 8's in one of the Silva's or DeBruyne act as #10 and link with the wingers to go as close to the byline to cut across balls for tap in's. Walker has been providing more width, but it's only because of DeBruyne's absence. Our fullbacks are more holding midfielders/defender types. We need fullbacks to fit our system. To me these stat is similar to saying Liverpool's midfielders don't score enough.

While I unserstand that Pep likes his fullbacks to play like CMs sometimes, I believe he is tactically flexible enough to try different things. Look at Mendy for example, he provides width whenever he plays and plays like a full back.

I do not want us to gloss over those stats. I love Walker but he gets into attacking positions just as much as any fullback in the league but we know that his end product has a lot of room for improvement.

Just imagine having 2 defensively apt Mendys on both sides whiping in low crosses for fun, our attack would become unplayable.

 

[Larry Stranger]

While I unserstand that Pep likes his fullbacks to play like CMs sometimes, I believe he is tactically flexible enough to try different things. Look at Mendy for example, he provides width whenever he plays and plays like a full back.

I do not want us to gloss over those stats. I love Walker but he gets into attacking positions just as much as any fullback in the league but we know that his end product has a lot of room for improvement.

Just imagine having 2 defensively apt Mendys on both sides whiping in low crosses for fun, our attack would become unplayable.

That would be great. Everyone wants the perfect fullback. Someone who can put in a cross like Mendy, who has the skills on the ball like Dani Alves, has the pace and physically like Walker. Thing is there aren't many out there. Walker's main job is to prevent counter attacks. If we had someone like Tripper for example who can put in a good cross we'd get caught out all the time.

 

[ojeme]

That would be great. Everyone wants the perfect fullback. Someone who can put in a cross like Mendy, who has the skills on the ball like Dani Alves, has the pace and physically like Walker. Thing is there aren't many out there. Walker's main job is to prevent counter attacks. If we had someone like Tripper for example who can put in a good cross we'd get caught out all the time.

I agree totally and that's why I said its a shame that Mendy is crocked because I think Pep is happy to have our left back put in those dangerous crosses as we saw at the start of this season before he got injured and this is why in my opinion we need at the very least a new full back.

 

[Delphinho]

Lloyd Kelly? Several PL clubs interested. Can play LB and CB. 32 apps in championship this season

 

[TonyM]

It’s so City to be wishing for a great new fullback. One day one will arrive and we’ll not know what to do. Erect a statue immediately I’d say.

 

[Dax777]

While I unserstand that Pep likes his fullbacks to play like CMs sometimes, I believe he is tactically flexible enough to try different things. Look at Mendy for example, he provides width whenever he plays and plays like a full back.

I do not want us to gloss over those stats. I love Walker but he gets into attacking positions just as much as any fullback in the league but we know that his end product has a lot of room for improvement.

Just imagine having 2 defensively apt Mendys on both sides whiping in low crosses for fun, our attack would become unplayable.

Zinchencko, Delph and Mendy combined for 9 assists, 2 short of Pool's LB. So we are already close on the Left. It's the Right that needs work. Granted Pool's RB also takes cornerkicks so he has an added advantage.

 

[Tevez City]

Zinchencko, Delph and Mendy combined for 9 assists, 2 short of Pool's LB. So we are already close on the Left. It's the Right that needs work. Granted Pool's RB also takes cornerkicks so he has an added advantage.

I think 6 of these assists are from Mendy who was injured most of the season.

 

[diamond geezer]

Granted Pool's RB also takes cornerkicks so he has an added advantage.

That wouldn't be an advantage playing for city :)

 

[Armaan]

While I unserstand that Pep likes his fullbacks to play like CMs sometimes, I believe he is tactically flexible enough to try different things. Look at Mendy for example, he provides width whenever he plays and plays like a full back.

I do not want us to gloss over those stats. I love Walker but he gets into attacking positions just as much as any fullback in the league but we know that his end product has a lot of room for improvement.

Just imagine having 2 defensively apt Mendys on both sides whiping in low crosses for fun, our attack would become unplayable.

Yep, you put the dipper FB’s in our team and we’d win the quadruple for the the couple of seasons :)

 

[Silva_Spell]

Bertrand is 29 would mean we would have to buy for same position within the next few years

Unless we sign a Danilo replacement who is comfortable playing LB if needed (eg. Lala has played 50 times as a LB in the last 4 seasons) I think a cheap short term fix like Ryan Bertrand makes sense.
With a ban incoming we could be left with what we have after this summer until January 2021 or, more likely, Summer 2021 (potentially the summer Pep leaves)