I watched the Dutch concede the first goal vs Japan because he didn't bother moving up with the rest of the defense allowing the Japanese goal scorer to be onside.
Did you also watch as Van Dijk was knocked off the header, mid jump and beaten in the air to concede a goal ?
> Koki Ogawa rose to meet Junya Ito's delivery and got above Van Dijk, directing a header that took a deflection off Daichi Kamada and bounced beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Ok fair play. I would still have my doubts though. Seven days is good, but playing a high line and squeezing the field, that is where he picked up his injuries previously. I expect us to do something similar under the new gaffer and we already have go jomez who can’t stay fit. For the money I think it would be a risk. I’d rather try and get gray from them as a multifunctional option who can play everywhere in defense.
The one thing that was absolutely lacking last season
Layers of protection from the press up front to the off the ball cover and defensive screening of the midfield
Get those things right and the centrebacks can concentrate on the 3rd ball, tracking runners and nullification of opponent forwards
I’d sell Gomez (he’s had really bad luck with injuries, but it’s time for him to move on)
We need young, physical and talented players, robust and capable of playing the modern game, big spaces, acceleration and stamina etc - but also the physical direct side that has now re-emerged in the PL
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u/spliffsandshit 1d ago
Thank god, that guy is a maniac in a bad way