Player thread: Aleksandar Kolarov (2014/15)

[Tim of the Oak]

I would also add that because he was up against Dier, hardly a natural attacking RB, and Lamela, who kept diving inside onto his left, that he had a slightly easier time of it, but he played really well regardless and contributed to other areas to help the rest out.

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Great point; he looked like a beast in Italy and provoked us to play such an inflated fee because in Serie A, and particularly the post-Calciopoli era he played in, most teams used 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 with inverted wingers; it meant he had no direct, constant offensive threat to deal with and a shitload of space to push forward into at his own wooden-legged pace. His first league game for us against Aaron Lennon saw him absolutely destroyed.

The reality is he's had one good season in 5 years with us, and it'll be good riddance once he leaves this summer.

That's your opinion - not reality. Nobody says AK is a great player and he may well move on in the Summer. The facts are that he has won plenty of silverware with us and he's played his part.

 

[davymcfc]

He was fantastic yesterday. Never stopped running, a couple of crucial blocks and dangerous going forward. Linked up really well with David silva.

 

[.A.]

I would also add that because he was up against Dier, hardly a natural attacking RB, and Lamela, who kept diving inside onto his left, that he had a slightly easier time of it, but he played really well regardless and contributed to other areas to help the rest out.

.

Great point; he looked like a beast in Italy and provoked us to play such an inflated fee because in Serie A, and particularly the post-Calciopoli era he played in, most teams used 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 with inverted wingers; it meant he had no direct, constant offensive threat to deal with and a shitload of space to push forward into at his own wooden-legged pace. His first league game for us against Aaron Lennon saw him absolutely destroyed.

The reality is he's had one good season in 5 years with us, and it'll be good riddance once he leaves this summer.

That's your opinion - not reality. Nobody says AK is a great player and he may well move on in the Summer. The facts are that he has won plenty of silverware with us and he's played his part.

The 'facts' are that he's primarily been back-up in the time he's been here. Look at the number of league appearances he's made in those 5 seasons; they aren't representative of an important player, especially when you take into account that he's seldom injured and Clichy isn't absolute top drawer.

 

[grim up north]

Great point; he looked like a beast in Italy and provoked us to play such an inflated fee because in Serie A, and particularly the post-Calciopoli era he played in, most teams used 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 with inverted wingers; it meant he had no direct, constant offensive threat to deal with and a shitload of space to push forward into at his own wooden-legged pace. His first league game for us against Aaron Lennon saw him absolutely destroyed.

The reality is he's had one good season in 5 years with us, and it'll be good riddance once he leaves this summer.

That's your opinion - not reality. Nobody says AK is a great player and he may well move on in the Summer. The facts are that he has won plenty of silverware with us and he's played his part.

The 'facts' are that he's primarily been back-up in the time he's been here. Look at the number of league appearances he's made in those 5 seasons; they aren't representative of an important player, especially when you take into account that he's seldom injured and Clichy isn't absolute top drawer.

The only fact is he has 2 PL medals an FA Cup and LC medal

 

[Damocles]

Thought he was poor in the first half against Spurs and dragged Silva too far back, had Fernandinho charging across the pitch and Mangala trying to do two jobs because he seemed to be playing a different game than everybody else.

Shame to think as I quite like him as a player but he's probably going this summer

 

[AliBobbyJ]

No one in the squad puts in crosses as well as he does. He has a terrific shot. Two reasons I want him with City.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I'll quite miss him when he's gone.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

he was superb against spuds , a shame we had to wait 30 odd games until he decided to put a shift in.

 

[oakiecokie]

Needs clear runs of games more than most of the team, but when he gets them he's a huge asset we'll find tricky to replace.

Has done a lot more for us in his time here than he gets credit for.

That wont make the fucker run any faster.

 

[LJ75]

Everyone agrees he's much better than Clichy offensively - he can cross, he can shoot, take corners, whereas Clichy's attacking skills are just pathetic. It's sad to see him receive the ball, and no one, regardless of who the opponent is, is even bothering to stop him as he's just looking for an opportunity to pass to Silva or Nasri, or whoever is closer - just to play safe. One of the main contributors to this one sided approach.

The whole debate is around Kolarov's defensive abilities, primarily centered around him being slow etc. Yet if you look at the number of defensive errors Clichy has made, it's difficult to argue in his favour - for some reason he tends to slip whenever a player is near him and is about to pass him, regularly loses headers, and despite his mythical speed, is often outrun as well...And Clichy is just a boring, boring player to watch.

Horses for courses and all that...Well, Kolarov every time for me, if both are available, and till someone else, and better than both, is available.