Re: Liverpool Thread
Yes it is Mike
What's your name mate? (or is it
Abishek, excuse my ignorance.)
Yeh, ABhishek
Anyways, Villa and Torres won't work together. They're too similar. They've never worked together playing for Spain either. And Spain will be using a 4-5-1 formation in the Euros with Torres (since he's been in better form) up front alone. Plus, Villa is a bit of a dirty player.
Just a personal preference but I don't like the look of Rafinha you've probably seen more of him than me, is he what we're looking for or are there any better alternatives out there? This backup striker, who'd you suggest is worthwhile and could do an adequate job if Torres is out?
Rafinha is not a world class right back YET. He is really good attacking wise, and decent defensively (I would think Arby is slightly better defensively). But Rafinha is a poorer version of Dani Alves. He's 2 years younger, and has already improved a lot in the Bundi. He'll give us some natural width in this formation, and has a very, very SWEET cross on him. And who better to improve his defensive play than Rafa himself?
Other attacking right backs? Hmm, there arn't many good ones. Same with left backs, Vargas is one of the few, along with Pasqual.
Backup striker. The one I have in my mind was available in the winter window, and was going to Boro for 8 million
Talking about Fred from Lyon of course. He could be the PERFECT backup for Torres IMO. Pace, power, dribbling skills, technique, poacher instincts, he has it all.
Another one could be Podolski. Rumours are that Bayern want Kuyt (IDIOTS!) and could help in bringing in Podolski. Maybe Gudjohsen as well?
So Gerrard stays where he is, Babel to the right and someone like Mancini on the left, I'd be happy with that.
But
I personally think we still need someone like Diego because Gerrard is everything but a "creative genius" in the sense that he cannot dictate the tempo of a game and unlock those stubborn defenses, he won't be predominantly on the right but more in a free role across the front three switching with Diego & Babel/Mancini, just the way I see it for this formation to fully flourish with the new attacking fullbacks of course.
Gerrard-----Diego-----Babel/Mancini
--------------Torres----------------
And that is spot on. Gerrard doesn't have the discipline to dictate the game. He is best in a free role, which would then mean it doesn't matter if he's on the right or left. His drive is best used to going forward, not staying back, playmaking. And he can't do that anyways IMO. Perfect example against Milan where he was closed down, and couldn't do the playmaking in a more static position. It should be Xabi from a deeper area and another player in an advanced position, pulling the strings.
Diego is THE MAN!! Rafa has had his eyes on him, and Diego could well be Rafa's Aimar in this formation and more. Diego is exactly what we need, A CREATIVE GENIUS. He'll create something out of nothing, and can unlock those bus stand defenses in a flash. He is arguably the best playmaker in the world after Kaka, and would fit in the EPL perfectly. He's the most fouled player in the Bundi, but takes the abuse, and scores goals, and assists for fun. Diego could well be one of the best players in the world in a few years. He has all the right tools. And normally, I don't use comparisons, but Diego as the 'new Zidane' could be very much applicable in a few years.
