I was impressed with Shaq's attacking ability. Playing with USMNT last few games is first time I've seen him play since U20's as I don't follow La Liga. One cross led to our goal yesterday and another should have been an assist if Wood would have stayed onside. Just needs consistent first team minutes to get his defense in order.
The wingback has fewer defensive responsibilities, so he is usually used with a 3-man CB line. A wingback is like a hybrid winger-fullback, and he can act as a winger sending in crosses and cutting in centrally to support the attack.
Well, depends on the type of formation and strategy used. In Spanish there are three different words for what in English is just "wingback": - Carrilero, usually sits in midfield and covers the entire flank, the type you're mentioning. They also cut centrally to help the DM like an "interno." You see them in 3-5-2 or in the 4-3-1-2 as the guys on the side of the DM --they're the guys who cover the most area of all three; - Ala trasera, a wingback that plays in the usual spot given to a regular fullback (lateral), but more likely to move forward and interplay with a wide forward. You see them in 4-3-3 formation with wide forwards ("punteros") or in a 4-2-3-1 where they also must cover the entire side; - Alero, a wingback in a typical 5-3-2 and similar formations, he comes forward more than a fullback and his defensive duties are limited. He must be able to cross like a winger, and to cut centrally in attack --he's basically a winger ("extremo") who tracks back on the side. He covers the least amount of terrain of all three, and that is the type of wingback most suited to Moore's skills in my view.
Levante is reportedly close to signing a deal with BVB for Coke who has expressed a desire to stay in Spain. https://as.com/futbol/2018/06/20/primera/1529509514_138338.html#?ref=rss&format=simple&link=link
Official: @coke23andujar will leave Schalke to join @LevanteUD. We wish you all the best! 💙 #s04 📰 https://t.co/FO1LhN5kAD pic.twitter.com/d5OspiprT1— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) July 2, 2018 Coke's move is official.
All evidence suggests that's true, so that's fine. I hope this leads to a loan, because he's not gonna develop in any meaningful way playing 4th division matches with the reserves.
Spain, like Italy and Portugal, has usually been a lousy place to develop USA talent. Don't see it changing any time soon, unfortunately.
I would assume that he slides into Pedro Lopez' position as back up. Either that or he is loaned to a 2nd Division side. If he stays behind Coke, it is likely he sees a lot of minutes between Cup and League fixtures. Especially since he can play RM and Wingback as well. I guess it will depend on how he performs in pre-season. Last year he was a real standout.
I don't get the pessimism; Shaq definitely wasn't going in to preseason as the starter, Coke is already there, not wanted in Gelsenkirchen and a known quantity, of course Levante will bring him on. He's also 31, so not likely to be considered a long-term fix and may need to be rested regularly. Bad news for Shaq would have been UDL spending a lot of money (whatever that is for them) on a player in his prime playing years.
Being no.2 RB at a mid-tier club in La Liga ain't too shabby. He'll get his opportunities. Even Yedlin had to wait a while.
So, they bought a 31 yo. I think they wanted a role model or incentive for our guy who is really close to taking over. Maybe new guy starts a few and Shaq eases his way in through practice or injury and makes it his. It does happen that way. Ya, that's what's gonna happen.
Let's be real Coke is 31 and has 300+ La Liga and Segunda appearances... he is coming to Levante to be the starter... at least for a season or two... Levante probably saw an opportunity to improve their squad with fairly little consideration for Cokes role in being a model for Shaq. Shaq is trying to break into the highest level of the game... he is going to have to beat out veterans and earn it.... the odds are against him but that's life.
The team believes in him. So he has that going for him. He'll prove himself even if it's a season of being a super-sub.
Story out of Tarragona has him as a target for Reus in the Segunda. The story also mentions that Albacete is a possible landing spot.