dest still putting himself in dangerous attacking positions. his team really could stand looking for him a bit more
Your post has me wondering - is Pulisic underrated by BS USA fans? This isn't meant to be an attack either, but genuinly curious if we're a bit jaded by concentrating on him so much. Pulisic, to me, is the most technical kid we've ever had, current or past, and his touch is at a world class level. Dest's is good...but I wouldn't have put it in the same ball park as Pulisic's, so that's what surprised me.
oh man announcers with a scathing review of alvarezs performance at the sub 'i dont know...good enough for apoel'
I agree that Pulisic’s touch is world class. Dest has better feet and ball control to me. ETA: but to be sure, there isn’t a lot in it either way. I’m not putting down Pulisic. I’m touting Dest. I think he’s probably a top 3 or 4 player in the US pool already.
Dest cannot beat his man when he wants. He had struggled in that dept against men up until this game, possessing the close control, but not the burst of a Pulisic, or even the moves. And his passing has been relatively conservative. Pulisic is a weak long passer, and erratic in his area, but he is aggressive and can be nifty. Making him a far more creative player than Dest. Hopefully Dest has turned a corner today in terms of his creativity, but it's a one-game sample. The runs, 1 v. 1 defense, and keeping possession amid congestion has been what's actually been consistent for him and you can classify as strengths ATM.
We can debate it in a different thread, but respectfully disagree, and totally get that you're not downplaying Pulisic. I do love Dest, but I'd like to see him go up against better defenders. The thing with Christian, is that he's done this against the BL, the likes of Real Madrid in the Champion's League, and now Premiership defenders who are generally better than the rest of the world.
this is a terrible argument of tiny degrees between two extremely talented players...but there are questions. there are complete disagreements. two years ago pulisic was i THINK top (but possibly only top five) in the bundisliga in take ons/successful dribbles. at people.
Major props to Dest. I gave him a 7.5 on the night for his play at both ends of the pitch. He very well might be the starting RB going forward.
Folks should keep in mind that Pulisic generally is playing in an advanced position, starting wide, but often coming into the middle of the park where he is surrounded by defenders. Successfully beating players up the middle, in my book, gets the edge every time. That's not to take anything away from Dest. He's young and the jury is still out whether he can keep doing his thing against higher level competition. I'd take his start at right back in critical UCL qualifier, and generally strong performance as an indication not only of the managers faith in him, but also his promise as an attacking right back.