Best let Pep know then. Always though he knew more about the pivot position than any other position on the pitch after using players like Busquets, Alonso, Lahm, Fernandinho and himself there. Must be mistaken.once he learns how to defend, run and actually do something useful in the defensive transition we might get somewhere near Liverpoo again.
Otherwise we'll play a distant 2nd for a few years yet.
Best let Pep know then. Always though he knew more about the pivot position than any other position on the pitch after using players like Busquets, Alonso, Lahm, Fernandinho and himself there. Must be mistaken.
Yhp, just like missing out on Jorginho the year before meant we faltered against Liverpool.
Great he may be, infallible he certainly ain't.
Best let Pep know then. Always though he knew more about the pivot position than any other position on the pitch after using players like Busquets, Alonso, Lahm, Fernandinho and himself there. Must be mistaken.
It's Fabinho we missed out on. He is the closest to Fern.
Lets see.And Fernandinho is the only one with a skillset to succeed in the role in the Premier League - Benitez had Alonso when he signed Mascherano to do the job properly, and was willing to sacrifice Xabi for Gareth Barry.
Alonso was babysat by Marcos Senna for Spain, and Liverpool were 3-0 in the Champions League final with Alonso anchoring - it’s only when Hamann came on that they neutralised Kaka. He was a good player, but had more style than substance.
Yes, he’d have been adequate, but Pep specifically wanted Jorginho - had we got him, we’d have lost the league last year because we’d have been getting smashed on the counter like this season. He hates the fact Fernandinho’s destructive play was a key to his success here; his insistence on replacing him with turtles - and refusal to reinstate him into the midfield once it became clear Rodri was a defensive liability - confirms it.
The ideal long term replacement for Fernandinho is Thomas Partey, but he’s too much of an athlete for Pep, so we’re likely stuck with the Tapas Eric Dier until the next manager upgrades.
And Fernandinho is the only one with a skillset to succeed in the role in the Premier League - Benitez had Alonso when he signed Mascherano to do the job properly, and was willing to sacrifice Xabi for Gareth Barry.
Alonso was babysat by Marcos Senna for Spain, and Liverpool were 3-0 in the Champions League final with Alonso anchoring - it’s only when Hamann came on that they neutralised Kaka. He was a good player, but had more style than substance.
Yes, he’d have been adequate, but Pep specifically wanted Jorginho - had we got him, we’d have lost the league last year because we’d have been getting smashed on the counter like this season. He hates the fact Fernandinho’s destructive play was a key to his success here; his insistence on replacing him with turtles - and refusal to reinstate him into the midfield once it became clear Rodri was a defensive liability - confirms it.
The ideal long term replacement for Fernandinho is Thomas Partey, but he’s too much of an athlete for Pep, so we’re likely stuck with the Tapas Eric Dier until the next manager upgrades.