Kobbie is the better player because of his superior physical & affective qualities, but Wharton’s profile is the more valuable one, especially for possession-heavy sides.
one is a ‘connector’ in Modric’s mould, the other an ‘organizer’ in Kroos’ mould.
also, why Ugarte?🤔
🧵.
one is a ‘connector’ in Modric’s mould, the other an ‘organizer’ in Kroos’ mould.
also, why Ugarte?🤔
🧵.
‘connectors’ are the players that occupy the pockets of spaces between the forward & midfield lines[as deep connectors] and the midfield & defence lines[as advanced connectors] to carry out the roles of vertical connectivity i.e. progression of the ball through carries or passes.
basically, their roles are to make the ⚽ stick BTLs, and connect—i.e. help move the ball up—the rungs/lines of attack.
they are not the creative hubs, nor prolific goalscorers[either in the sense of quality or quantity], nor the organizers of the team.
they are not the creative hubs, nor prolific goalscorers[either in the sense of quality or quantity], nor the organizers of the team.
some have calm/passive temperaments and are able to contribute more to organizing the team in-possession.
e.g. Iniesta, Modric, Bernardo, Kobbie.
others have aggressive temperaments and are able to contribute more to goals/assists to certain extents.
e.g. Foden, Musiala, Wirtz.
e.g. Iniesta, Modric, Bernardo, Kobbie.
others have aggressive temperaments and are able to contribute more to goals/assists to certain extents.
e.g. Foden, Musiala, Wirtz.
some play with a ‘carry-first’ mentality.
e.g. Modric, Foden, Musiala, Kobbie.
others with a ‘pass-first’ mentality.
e.g. Iniesta, Bernardo.
e.g. Modric, Foden, Musiala, Kobbie.
others with a ‘pass-first’ mentality.
e.g. Iniesta, Bernardo.
‘organizers’ are the deep-lying playmakers primarily responsible for exerting the most influence on the timing, tempo, and direction of attacks, as well as keeping the team together in-possession, manipulating the opponent’s block, and progressing the ⚽.
they have a large zone of influence by virtue of their expansive passing range & role to direct the entire team.
organizers are passers, think many steps ahead rather than dwelling in the moment, and have eagle-eyed vision of the pitch.
organizers are passers, think many steps ahead rather than dwelling in the moment, and have eagle-eyed vision of the pitch.
most have moderate temperaments on the ball, but some can be slightly aggressive/vertical with their actions.
e.g. Partey, Frenkie.
some can be slightly passive/horizontal e.g. Varela, Jorginho.
e.g. Partey, Frenkie.
some can be slightly passive/horizontal e.g. Varela, Jorginho.
among them, there are special ones that perform their normal roles alongside being significant creative threats from deep.
e.g. Xavi Hernandez, Toni Kroos.
e.g. Xavi Hernandez, Toni Kroos.
an organizer is like the heart.
much like how the heart distributes blood to the body parts in precise volumes, regulates the pressure of the flow, and is integral to the optimal functioning of the organs and body systems, the organizer contributes most significantly to..
much like how the heart distributes blood to the body parts in precise volumes, regulates the pressure of the flow, and is integral to the optimal functioning of the organs and body systems, the organizer contributes most significantly to..
directing play, ensuring balanced ⚽distribution & team connectivity, and maintaining the structural & functional coherence of the team.
without the block manipulation skills of organizers, possession-heavy sides might struggle to break blocks down and suffer sterile possession.
without the block manipulation skills of organizers, possession-heavy sides might struggle to break blocks down and suffer sterile possession.
without their tempo-regulation ability, teams might struggle to consistently fashion clear-cut chances and sustain long possession.
without their ability to keep the team cohesive, the attacking and counter-pressing capacities of the team might be negatively impacted.
without their ability to keep the team cohesive, the attacking and counter-pressing capacities of the team might be negatively impacted.
unlike connectors, whose influences can be seen in one or two actions, that of organizers span multiple actions in the sequence.
unlike connectors who mostly offer vertical connectivity, organizers provide that, as well as horizontal connectivity.
unlike connectors who mostly offer vertical connectivity, organizers provide that, as well as horizontal connectivity.
connectors focus on immediate ball progression and maintaining continuity of play, whereas organizers have a broader influence over both space & time, shaping the flow of the game.
simply, connectors paint a part of the picture. organizers see and paint the whole frame🖼️.
simply, connectors paint a part of the picture. organizers see and paint the whole frame🖼️.
to direct teams, connectors are just as important as the organizers because of the need for long-distance carries/passes and reliance on counter-attacks & quick transits, but to possession-heavy teams, organizers are more important, and consequently, the more valuable profiles.
Kobbie is a special connector: can do it in both advanced & deep pockets, on the right or left, superb spatial awareness, plenty power to resist pressure in contact situations, can carry over long distances, excellent at individual manipulation, and has a calm temperament.
he still needs to develop positional empathy and there’s plenty time for that, but he’s already one of the best of his profile with his current skill set and confidence, composure, and instincts on the ball.
x.com
x.com
however, Adam is of a superior and rarer profile, and is the better defender of the two.
the wiser decision for England would be to give starting spots to Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, their biggest impact midfielders, and complete the trio with Wharton who can balance them.
the wiser decision for England would be to give starting spots to Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, their biggest impact midfielders, and complete the trio with Wharton who can balance them.
ideally, to balance United’s assumed midfield starters: Bruno Fernandes[creator] & Kobbie Mainoo[connector], the DM needs to have these traits:
—an organizer.
—a dominant dueller.
—extensive ground coverage.
—strong positional sense, at least defensively.
—an organizer.
—a dominant dueller.
—extensive ground coverage.
—strong positional sense, at least defensively.
however, going by Erik’s previous configurations, it is clear that this is his preference on what player profiles primarily occupy which zones in the base attacking structure.
for him, it is less about nominal position labels[DM/CB/FB], and more about roles or profiles.
for him, it is less about nominal position labels[DM/CB/FB], and more about roles or profiles.
thus, it becomes understandable that while not the ideal quality level, Manuel Ugarte fits the bill from a profile and team balance perspective.
for this to work, the organizer in the first line must be granted freedom to roam wide or central, and between the first & second..
for this to work, the organizer in the first line must be granted freedom to roam wide or central, and between the first & second..
lines of attack like Daley Blind & Frenkie De Jong did for Erik’s Ajax teams, or like Kroos in Nagelsmann’s Germany.
this means increased responsibilities for Shaw & Dalot as the FBs, to alternate between inverting into the first & second lines and help organize the team.
this means increased responsibilities for Shaw & Dalot as the FBs, to alternate between inverting into the first & second lines and help organize the team.
one can imagine that this is unideal for us, as though good progressors of the ⚽, neither Shaw nor Dalot possesses the tactical intelligence to effectively organize the team, and this will negatively impact the ability of the team to play at a balanced, well-measured rhythm.
but, playing with balanced rhythm isn’t a team trait or principle needed in Erik’s vision of “the best transitional team in the world”, and maybe with the right pieces, it is not a terrible thing.
only time can tell, and we can do nought but wait to hear what it has to say.
❤️
only time can tell, and we can do nought but wait to hear what it has to say.
❤️
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