Which player will improve the most this season?

[dickie davies]

Sane. Rested, stronger, and wiser.

I actually think Sane will not be as good as last season

The reason being that for the vast majority of last season Delph was playing behind him and when we had possession, Delph slotted into the midfield and let Sane have the freedom of the wide area
This season, as we've already seen in the Community Shield, Mendy will constantly overlap and take the space Sane would operate in

 

[yeah whatever !!]

Sane, Bernado, sterling.

 

[Sir Joe Aguero]

I actually think Sane will not be as good as last season

The reason being that for the vast majority of last season Delph was playing behind him and when we had possession, Delph slotted into the midfield and let Sane have the freedom of the wide area
This season, as we've already seen in the Community Shield, Mendy will constantly overlap and take the space Sane would operate in

Isn't the long-term goal to move Sane more in the middle, like Henry?

 

[CityInWashingtonState]

Who will improve most under Pep this season?

Beats me - this is akin to reading tea leaves.

I hope though that it's Sane - if he ups his game he's a potential B. Dior winner.

Stones would be my 2nd choice - cut out the once-or-twice-per-game bonehead pass due to lack of concentration and he'd be vying for best CB in the world.

 

[Gabriel]

I actually think Sane will not be as good as last season

The reason being that for the vast majority of last season Delph was playing behind him and when we had possession, Delph slotted into the midfield and let Sane have the freedom of the wide area
This season, as we've already seen in the Community Shield, Mendy will constantly overlap and take the space Sane would operate in

I’d agree if I thought he’d play in the exact same role, but, as Sir Joe Aguero also points out, I can see him drifting infield more, using his pace and slalom running style to even greater effect. It will be knowing when to stay out wide and when to come inside that will be the greatest test, and I imagine we’ll see a few weeks of teething problems before it occurs seamlessly.

 

[domalino]

I actually think Sane will not be as good as last season

The reason being that for the vast majority of last season Delph was playing behind him and when we had possession, Delph slotted into the midfield and let Sane have the freedom of the wide area
This season, as we've already seen in the Community Shield, Mendy will constantly overlap and take the space Sane would operate in

That should be why Sané improves. He will be coming off his wing, getting in the box more and scoring more goals.

Ronaldo had Marcelo (as Neymar does for Brazil), Messi had Alves, Robben had Lahm.

All of the best wingers in recent times have been supported by an overlapping fullback who allowed them to head inside and score goals. The idea that a brilliant attacking fullback is going to hurt a wingers performances is bizarre.

Also remember Pep's system is designed around players not stealing each others space, it's a fundamental part of his play, it's why he has the pitch divided into 20-odd boxes which no players can overlap in. If Mendy overlaps, Sané goes inside. If Sané is out wide, Mendy will make runs into the half-spaces between fullback and CB like Zabaleta did so often on the right in 13/14.

 

[93.20]

Hopefully several, including Jesus. He's extremely highly rated and we have seen his talent often enough - but I feel he's got a lot more. Looked lost at the world cup so he will be keen to put that behind him and explode into action this season.

 

[crazyg]

Who will improve most under Pep this season?

Beats me - this is akin to reading tea leaves.

I hope though that it's Sane - if he ups his game he's a potential B. Dior winner.

Stones would be my 2nd choice - cut out the once-or-twice-per-game bonehead pass due to lack of concentration and he'd be vying for best CB in the world.

Does he win a Gucci or Louis Vuitton handbag and accessories as well?

 

[OrkneyBlue]

Laporte was solid last season. If Pep improves him he’s going to be some player

 

[kcmcfc]

Jesus. He's got loads of talent and scores but I feel like something is still missing or yet to be developed. Nowhere near Aguero for me at the moment.