squirtyflower said:
Neville Kneville said:
Tarzan41 said:
I was at their game on Saturday. The opponents Willem II were a lively outfit on the break. Rekik looked solid. Some good challenges. Pretty impressive. Ought definitely replace Boyata and a bit more next season.
Denayer absolutely miles ahead of him from what I've seen.
Agreed
He's come on leaps and bounds whereas Rekik seems to have stagnated
Tbh, & to be fair to him, I've been critical of Rekik in the past when I've seen stuff in his game which is lacking, but I don't even know for sure anymore if Rekik has stagnated, because when I watch him play, he has so little to do in a game, it is becoming impossible to judge.
I imagine nothing has changed, but for all I know, he might be a brick wall when under the cosh nowardays, like a Dutch John Terry. ( It's very unlikely) But he is never under any pressure, barely has to make a tackle, or win a difficult header & he just plays nothing passes, with loads of time. It's no exaggeration to say that Gareth Barry could have replaced Rekik in any of about the last 8 games I've seen him play, & nobody would notice any defensive problem, just better passing.
There was one moment yesterday, when a bloke sidestepped him & took a shot & Rekik looked miles off it, as in the past, to me. But it was one incident & it's not fair of me to judge him on that. But it was the only time anyone was facing him, in 45 mins, so what do I judge him on ?
Clearly though, Denayer is faster, quicker in the tackle & a MILES better footballer. And he has to win the ball lots, every game & win 1v1s.
Neither is great in the air.