Dom

Unpopular opinion: Micky Van De Ven is one of the most overrated defenders in the league, consistently switches off when in a mid block, despite being 6’4 he doesn’t dominate most arial duels he competes for, isn’t an elite ball player (Van Hecke much better). He can defend large spaces well due to his pace, but apart from that he doesn’t stand out to me as the ‘elite player’ many people consider him as. Of course he’s a great football player, you know, you have to be realistic. He wouldn’t be in the position he is if he wasn’t somewhat good. Overall though I personally believe he’s overrated by many fans.

Stuttgart OOP! Very brave. Bayern started exploiting the central space in behind more as the first half went on, with Kane and Brown dropping deep dragging their markers high creating space for the wingers to make out to in runs, almost led to a Bayern 2nd goal through a Diaz 1v1 with Bredlow.

I can’t look past picking Arsenal to lift the trophy again at the end of the upcoming Premier League season. 3 things they require to almost confirm the title is a ‘star’ signing, this means someone who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and carry their team to victory (Vini Jr). Man City had this under Pep with De Bruyne and Haaland, Klopp had this with Salah and Mane. They also need a backup to Saliba at RCB as the quality in squad depth isn’t as strong as it could be despite how well Mosquera finished last season. Finally, IF they are to keep Rice in the left 8 (I personally don’t think they will) but if they do then there are better DM’s out there than Zubimendi. Then if they have the luxury for 1 more signing it should be to sell Ben White and replace him with someone better to again continue to improve the quality in squad depth. ———————————- In regards to their opponents I just can’t see a certified challenger that will accumulate 85+ points, Man City have had gigantic off pitch developments this summer with Rodri, Bernardo and most importantly Pep all leaving. All 3 are practically irreplaceable. Not only that. but tactically they’re not as good as they were under Pep with the press against Milan being bypassed many times. Of course this could be down to it being early days in the Maresca era, but we can only go off what we’ve seen in pre season. Liverpool who I did an entire thread on don’t look prepared for this season whatsoever, a complete lack of signings to address the physicality problems which have gotten greater and greater season after season, they have a real lack of squad depth too. Combine that with how vulnerable they currently are in transition and I can’t see them challenging for the title at this moment in time. Manchester United have superb quality in the final 3rd and have improved out of possession throughout their pre season period in comparison to what we saw last season, in my opinion they are currently the closest team I see to challenging Arsenal. However they’re by no means perfect, they could also do with an elite touchline winger who excels at holding the width, the individual quality of their defence could also be improved. Chelsea I haven’t seen much of but going off what I’ve seen from accounts I trust on here, he seems to have started pretty positively. However even without watching them I notice they absolutely need to sell players. Far too many players on their books. Tottenham have been super impressive under Roberto De Zerbi and I personally think they’ll finish inside the top 4, clear identity and foundations already, 4-2-4 in deep build up looking to use the double pivot to utilise bounce passes to find their spare man. Wide triangles on both sides. Many tactical qualities combined with a what’s been a very successful transfer window, no doubt a positive culture too based off De Zerbi’s standards and personality. I think there’s a chance they could compete for the title, I just think it might be a little too soon. Overall Arsenal look the most equipped for the upcoming season, the other usual competitors have undergone many changes which might take time before we see success. 🔴

Liverpool analysis vs Leeds - 4-3-3/4-2-4 from goal kicks - 4-3-3 turned 2-2-6 in possession higher up - Iraola’s press against the Leeds back 3 - How the lack of transfers puts a pretty low ceiling on Iraola’s first season Thread 🧵 👇

Signing of the summer. Straight up, signing of the summer in my opinion. One of the most press resistant midfielders in the league, superb tactical brain knowing when to progress play and when slow it down in possession, incredible in ground duels, A true standards setter who’ll run for days out of possession to win the ball back high up the pitch, think of Son under Ange. Yes they’re different positions, but they set the standards of the intensity required out of possession which teammates see and realise they need to be doing the same. A top athletic and physical profile. He always wants the ball, whether that’s in the first phase or in the final phase, very confident in possession showcasing a good phycological l profile trusting his abilities. Just look at screenshot 4 below, who else would have the confidence to dribble out of that situation and do it successfully! He see’s passes that no one else does, look at screenshot 1, everyone watching that game plus the Japanese defence thought he was about to shoot, but instead he slips in Martinelli who scores the winner. Don’t think he’s a solely defensive profile, because he isn't. More than half of Newcastle’s attacks indirectly or directly come through him, last season he got 9 Premier League goals and 5 assists, I can already see game states next season in tightly contested games for Arsenal that his long shots and individual moments will be the difference between Arsenal coming away with 3 points in comparison to 1. Rice - Left 8 Bruno G - Right 8 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 That’s crazy good. His phycological profile impresses me a lot, how many times at St James Park have we seen him time a tackle perfectly before fist pumping the fans, he’s someone who almost demands to win. Vital piece to Newcastle’s recent revelation from the relegation zone to top 4 + a Carabao Cup trophy. He’ll be part of a winning team at Arsenal that's for sure, one of my favourite midfielders in the entire sport. Lacks ariel dominance but that’s mainly down him not being as tall as a Declan Rice for example. This is a monumental signing for Arsenal, irreplaceable for Newcastle. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will continue to win. 🔴

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There’s a conversation to be had about Jude Bellingham being one of the most consistent and reliable footballers on the planet. Different class.

The team I’ve been most impressed with so far has been USA. Yes Paraguay’s 4-4-2 mid block was quite simply terrible, but USA did so much to manipulate and exploit it to a high standard. Features of their game: - Frequent runs in behind - Double movements in the final 3rd - Great dribblers and ball carriers with Pulisic and Mckennie - FB’s not afraid to join attacks - Suffocating counter press - 3-box-3 structure with Robinson advanced and Freeman tucked in - Diamond Press from GK’s - 4-4-2 mid block deeper Top 🇺🇸

4 examples from the first half of Plata and Vite's movements. Following the first drinks break Curacao didn't mind defending in a 5-4-1 for longer periods. From having the midfielders lower it means the player dropping from high to low to receive was often IN FRONT of the Curacao midfield line instead in between the lines as seen in screenshot 4.