Duels. Passing is absolutely crucial for Postecoglu and his system, there's a reason why every CB we are linked with is good at passing and why Tanganga and Sanchez can leave even though they are fast (Tanganga was before injuries anyway).
What’s the definition of that though? Duels can mean a number of different aspects of defending. What I’m specifically talking about is 1v1 scenario’s where a winger or striker is running at him with the ball. From what I’ve seen he doesn’t look comfortable in these scenario’s at all and I’ve seen him skipped past criminally easily on several occasions and personally I just do not like seeing that in a CB, especially when I feel those situations are going to be a crucial part of how our CB’s are defending under Ange because they will be so exposed on the counter
Like what? One stat is for duels in air, another in air and third both. I've seen Maicon skipped criminally easy 3 times in the same match, De Ligt too slow in most crucial moment of the match, Gvardiol almost falling on his ass after a dribble and conceding a goal in WC semi final, few matches of eye test mean nothing compared to stats, advanced stats of the whole season. I saw him in last match and he was fantastic and scored a goal, but that's not why I want him.
I’m asking you, I’m not offering to define a stat I don’t know a great deal about. I’ve just explained the aspect of defending I’m talking about and why I don’t consider him an 80m euro player because of my perception of him looking very much less than an 80m euro player in that aspect of defending from what I’ve seen. Stats can be useful but a players stats can fluctuate from one season to the next and playing in different systems and league’s (stepping up a level) can change a lot in that regard. You asked me why I don’t consider him an 80m euro player, I’ve explained why, that’s just my opinion, I don’t like how he defends 1v1 from what I’ve seen and seeing a defender get skipped past so easily on a number of occasions is a put off for me personally. I wouldn’t be spending 80m on him, that’s just me. If it was more reasonable like 50-60m I’d consider it worth the gamble
Fair enough, I'm happy to hear different opinion. I focused more on Frimpong and Diaby when watching them to be honest, and Wirtz when not injured.
I don’t mind using stats as a tool for judging a player at all but I’ll normally watch a player, make my own assessment and then I’ll have a look at their stats and see if there’s something I’m missing whether it be positive or negative and then watch them again to see how it all applies in the scenario’s they are put in within matches.
Apart from being a player Levy signed last season
