Is left back really a problem?

Conversely, one of the reasons that Grealish was so successful at Villa was that Matty Targett reliably provided an overlap from fullback to free up space for Grealish to drive into. We might actually want a more conventional left-back as an option if we utilise Grealish on the left. We could always have Cancelo tuck inside on the right if we deploy a traditional left-back on the other side

I don't think we'll find another Zinchenko, but I don't think we need one. We probably need a Walker-type left-back as a genuine alternative to Zinny

Im thinking Foden is likely to take the space down the line being the only natural Lfooter on that side with Jack in the 8 with Kev longer term. (Foden - Grealish - De Bruyne - Sterling on natural wing sides behind Kane just once Pep i Beg)

Asymetric could work depending which is the natural side wide player over the inverted Classic LB overlapping Sterling or Jack, but a zinny sittting in when Foden holds the width out there.
 
Here's the thing...

At the 70th minute or so - KDB and Zinchenko are substituted on.

What happens? KDB transforms the game.

Meanwhile - first Zin involvement - Edders hand-passes the ball to Zin who does his best to fuck us over - miss-passing on his first touch right to a Spurs opponent.

Later on, Zin is confused with KDB by Arlo White on the US broadcast - anyhow, what happens? Zin gets the ball and delivers a deft cross right to Lloris. Zero quality.

KDB - best player on the field by far.

Zin - thank fuck Mendy is off! But at least twice needlessly giving the ball away - and his first touch might have cost a goal.
===
Need a left back? WTF do you think? Hell - Spurs aren't even very good - and yet Zin had a very - just as expected - iffy performance.
I don't know why this is still being debated. Zinc is adequate cover but we need rid of Mendy and get in a top class left full. Not likely to happen anytime soon and its a fucking disgrace tbh.
 
I don't know why this is still being debated. Zinc is adequate cover but we need rid of Mendy and get in a top class left full. Not likely to happen anytime soon and its a fucking disgrace tbh.
Is it really a disgrace? You're exaggerating for effect right?
 
Is it really a disgrace? You're exaggerating for effect right?
Not really it is an obvious area of concern which has been identified by our opponents as a weak spot and it has been clear for a long time that the player primarily brought in to fill this position is nowhere near good enough. So for some time now we have been playing makeshift fullbacks with a degree of success as the manager experiments but nonetheless leaving a weak chink in the armour which good teams can exploit. It is well beyond time the issue was addressed.
 
The "traditional" english f/b, basically a burly type that is hard to get past, is obsolete in the modern game. Much more is needed, ball skills, tactical nous, awareness of the opposition's threat and a turn of pace are the minimum requirements, there is no place for a single-purpose player in a team that aspires to be the "best". Knowing how close to mark, when and how to support the forwards, an instinctive link to the central players regarding the off-side lines.
Phillip Lahm being the bench-mark in my humble opinion, we have never had anyone that comes close. Maybe there aint one...
 
The "traditional" english f/b, basically a burly type that is hard to get past, is obsolete in the modern game. Much more is needed, ball skills, tactical nous, awareness of the opposition's threat and a turn of pace are the minimum requirements, there is no place for a single-purpose player in a team that aspires to be the "best". Knowing how close to mark, when and how to support the forwards, an instinctive link to the central players regarding the off-side lines.
Phillip Lahm being the bench-mark in my humble opinion, we have never had anyone that comes close. Maybe there aint one...
I fucking kill for a "tradition" english left fullback.
 

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