Javi Martinez

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Agreed, playing a high line wouldn't make much sense considering the pace we have and our creative players thrive on using the space behind.
Playing a high line would not only nullify our strengths but would expose our weakness too.

I think some will confuse defending/pressing high up the field and defending with a high line.

Spot on..... the potential front line will be a sight to behold, however, it won't work on numbers, if that makes sense?? Aguero was invariably the only guy attacking the 6 yard box at times, with more bricks than travis perkin... we will fundamentally have sooooo much more space due to our quality/depth out wide, which will draw out opposing defences for fun.... I fully expect our front 3 next year to get close to 90 goals....

 

[OB1]

Did you see our back 4 when 1 on 1 with any of these below?
Which happens quite a lot the way Pep plays.
Last year Chelsea at home and Liverpool & Leicester away spring to mind - critical games we lost due to no pace at the back! (guessing Kompany wasn't fit for either game)

Mohammed Salah
Marcus Rashford
Jamie Vardy
Shane Long
Eden Hazard
Sadio Mane
Lanzinni...etc etc

We are supposed to be trying to sign Mendy, Walker and Bertrand.

Be nice if every player was the perfect pacey athlete with amazing technical ability but it just doesn't work like that.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Perfect for cb and cdm. Yes from me

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Ha! My uncle gave Ricky Holden a slap many years ago after he'd called him shite and Holden replied "I pay more tax a week than you earn a month"

Haha, funny...

I loved tricky Ricky...... back in the day, before blossoming into an Adonis, I was subjected to having to wear a patch over my eye as I had a squint, when at matches, tricky was the only guy my good eye could keep up with.... he made Neil pointon look like usain bolt (:

 

[Delphacito]

Why the fuck are people on here so obsessed with speed?

Because Maldini was a speed merchant obvs and that’s why he’s great.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

I don't even think he is desperately slow. He won't have great acceleration but those long legs get him around the park effectively enough and give him huge reach for sliding challenges, which he is good at. As someone just mentioned, he has a good football brain and speed of thought can often make up for lack of pace.

I'd be quite happy if he is the mystery "CB".

Oh no, OB1, he's painfully slow... do you remember the beast accelerating away from him in Munich a few years back?? Bill is faster than him when running towards a buffet

As stated though, his pace isn't an issue, he's positinally very good and doesn't lose the ball an awful lot. He'd be better at the pivot for us though, but understand the need for flexibility.

 

[David Silva]

Did you see our back 4 when 1 on 1 with any of these below?
Which happens quite a lot the way Pep plays.
Last year Chelsea at home and Liverpool & Leicester away spring to mind - critical games we lost due to no pace at the back! (guessing Kompany wasn't fit for either game)

Mohammed Salah
Marcus Rashford
Jamie Vardy
Shane Long
Eden Hazard
Sadio Mane
Lanzinni...etc etc

We could bring back Mangala in that case then, he was quick??

Looking at the CBs the better sides in the league have you wouldn't say any of them are particularly quick. Cahill, Luiz, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, VK, Stones, Otamendi....

 

[schfc6]

Because Maldini was a speed merchant obvs and that’s why he’s great.

Juve's back three were no 4x100 Jamaican relay team, they were or are an exceptional defence.
Not seen much of Martinez of late, but he's an exceptional player.

 

[Kamran Shirinzade]

Would be very good signing. Knows Guardiolas philosophy perfect on the ball.

 

[bobmcfc]

Did you see our back 4 when 1 on 1 with any of these below?
Which happens quite a lot the way Pep plays.
Last year Chelsea at home and Liverpool & Leicester away spring to mind - critical games we lost due to no pace at the back! (guessing Kompany wasn't fit for either game)

Mohammed Salah
Marcus Rashford
Jamie Vardy
Shane Long
Eden Hazard
Sadio Mane
Lanzinni...etc etc

A defender with pace is as vital as his ability to tackle imo. You are spot on