I agree with this, Glen Hoddle was not blessed with pace and he was not a bad player. I remember Drogba used to go down at the slightest touch when he first played in PL, didn't do him any harm did it! One other thing, you also seem a bit obsessed with players being overweight, I really dont think anyone, these days playing at the top level in any league is over weight.

I know mattteo will disagree with this assertion as we debated it a while ago, but my favourite player in the Premier league over the past however many years has been David Silva, and from what I see of him he’s never been lightning quick by any stretch of the imagination.

We need to start leaning towards players who can play in pockets, bring the ball down and dictate the pace of games more. That comes down to technical ability and intelligence, pace doesn’t really come into it.

Defending well and being good on the counter attack is only one aspect of a good team and will only get you so far in your endeavours for “success”.

Edited by Mstrobez (30 Jul 2018 4.25pm)

We're the Arthur over ere!

A lot of players are overweight. Adel Taarabt or Trou Deeney are examples. Ronaldinho himself wasn't very good in his later years as he became overweight. He may have been the best until then, as in the case of others, but once your body isn't up for ot anymore, it's time for a younger player. Same thing happened to Rooney. What about Wilfried Bony? Remember how good he was? Where's he playing now?

And about David Silva, I disagree, I think he's one of the most hard working and fastest players in the Premier League, despite his stature. He makes great pressing and recoveries.

[Link]

Edited by mattteo (30 Jul 2018 5.54pm)

Going to sound very pedantic here but it's bothering me. Do you mean Ronaldo or Ronaldinho? Ronaldo was always on the chunky side but a great player and ballooned when he stoped playing as much. Always remember Ronaldinho as being pretty skinny even into his 30's when he went back to Brazil.

Yeah hence we after de Souza I reckon

You’re right. But you’re confusing pace with work rate/stamina.

It’s perfectly possible to press intensely, or more importantly, intelligently, without having any real pace. Which is what a player like Silva does, as do many other creative midfielders.

If we can add pace to our equation then great. But for me the priority is to identify someone with creativity. That is what this team lacks above all else and we will see the effects of this early doors if we fail to replace Cabaye adequately.

Edited by Mstrobez (30 Jul 2018 8.07pm)

We're the Arthur over ere!