Michael Bradley at Gladbach VI [R]

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Lascho, Dec 14, 2009.

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  1. MyFavoritePlayer

    MyFavoritePlayer New Member

    Jun 16, 2010
    Boston/Munich
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Actually, I think Bradley IS a better passer than Dempsey and Feilhaber. The skills that Bradley lacks are ball control and "trapping" (sometimes the ball just bounces off his feet). However, once he has the ball under control at his feet, he can make very accurate passes.
     
  2. supercooper

    supercooper Red Card

    Jun 23, 2008
    Guys, there's a big difference between a manager praising a player and then ponying up $10m+ to buy them? You haven't recognized this by now?

    Also, with American players, we can never tell (still) if the praise is 'he's really good' (still implies 'for an American player'). Its just not clear yet if that implied part has left the venacular yet.

    (and for the others, Bradley's ball skills) no, seriously you guys are the ones that are blind. I would love to be the first to claim Bradley has great passing skills, but he doesn't. He's ok- but pretty one dimentional. That doesn't mean he can't get better, but you can only go on what you see.

    Typical Arsenal player can swivel with the ball, deliver passes with all parts of their foot, deliver the ball with the proper pace (not a strength of Bradley's), can break down opponents 1v1. Its total football Arsene likes to play, in which each player can replicate and move into positions held by other players. In order to do this, you need players who are extremely skilled on the ball, and can operate in any situation, any place on the pitch. Its that not apparent by now?

    Tell you what: Arsenal makes a bid for Bradley, and I will gladly come on here and eat crow!:)

    I think a more realistic path for Bradley is moving another step up from Borussia Moenchengladbach (and if you have been following Bradley's career closely, it has been well managed to take proper steps up vs. big leap possibilities). The next step would a mid-level Premiership club, something akin to a Fulham or Birmingham. At 22, a couple successful years there would get him in the sights of the majors for real.

    But I think he may just stay at Borussia Moenchengladbach this year since he still needs to prove himself there...it is strong enough league technically that he can accomplish similar things (as he would at mid-table England), and he may even feel some loyalty to BM to provide value.

    Maybe even a strong 6 months get him the transfer. That is probably as good as now to maximize sale value.
     
  3. supercooper

    supercooper Red Card

    Jun 23, 2008
    are you kidding me?
     
  4. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    agreed, either way, he tends to have some of the best rate of pass completions for the US, regardless of direction the ball is traveling.
     
  5. supercooper

    supercooper Red Card

    Jun 23, 2008
    That was 1 1/2 years ago. Bruce obviously turned it around since then, but he has a torridly bad stretch of performance there. Plus, it was a question, not a statement.

    If Bradley is as great and flawless as everyone here states, how come he was decidely mediocre for a mediocre side last year? Do you guys even read what Lascho- who would be the most informed- posts here or are you blinded by the loyalty to one of our own?

    Bradley was voted the 4th best Borussia midfielder last year by Borussia's own fans! Doesn't that tell you something? ;)
     
  6. supercooper

    supercooper Red Card

    Jun 23, 2008
    look, this is similar to saying Derek Jeter is a great fielding shortstop by looking only at his error percentage. Jeter has limited range for a shortstop, so he doesn't get to balls that other better defensive shortstops with more range get to...so he doesn't even have a chance to make errors and he doesn't cover the ground.

    Similarly, Bradley doesn't have a lot of range on his passes.

    Bradley makes a lot of 5 yard passes that are where he is looking. Totally safe passes, but they don't do much. The pass to Ricardo Clark (when he lost the ball and Ghana scored, for example) was a 'completed' pass.

    But Bradley is Xavi. I get it :)
     
  7. arkjayback

    arkjayback Member

    Mar 29, 2008
    Le Mars, IA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Exaggeration neither adds to the discussion nor distracts from your painfully weak and unedjimicated "analysis."
     
  8. StarvingGator

    StarvingGator Member

    Jun 22, 2007
    The Hospital Bar

    First off, Bradley is a much better passer than Dempsey. Bradley makes consistently solid passes. He's not Pirlo, but he's significantly better than Dempsey. I don't think Feilhaber's gotten enough PT to make that call, but I would imagine he's a touch better than Bradley.

    Dempsey isn't much of a passer. That doesn't matter much because he's not asked to make to many passes. He's asked to shoot and make decisive runs. Sometimes he'll make the final pass, which is the glamorous pass, but Bradley makes the crucial passes in the midfield that can unlock a defense. Dempsey never does that, because that's not his job.

    You're right in saying that Bradley isn't the "typical" Arsenal player, but who's to say Wenger wants another "typical" Arsenal player? Maybe he wants someone with a bit more bite and directness?

    When Wenger signed Gilberto, he had this to say: "What I like was the fact that he kept things simple. He can play all across the midfield but the holding role just in front of the defence is what he does best."

    Arsenal probably won't bid, but to act like it would be ridiculous for Arsenal to sign a player like Bradley is wrong. Arguably, his type of player (not necessarily Bradley himself) is what's been missing from Arsenal in the past few seasons.
     
  9. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    What will you do I provide you facts that 100% prove that your utterly and completely wrong with this assumption?
     
  10. KALM

    KALM Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Boston/Providence
    Supercooper has made his views on Bradley and why he believes he has received significant minutes for the national team over the years abundantly clear in the past. You guys are not going to change his mind in this thread.
     
  11. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    and it was clark who lost possession, not b/c of the pass. Dont know how you missed it, but MB played alot of nice balls this world cup that did not go backwards or 10 yards to the side.

    My whole point is that the kid can pass and completes his pass. Doesnt matter if its going backwards, sideways, or forward. More often then not, MB keeps possession and is capable of passing regardless of whether he uses just his right or uses both.

    quit being so dramatic.
     
  12. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    there is praise which leads to rumors. I dont think anyone is saying he will end up at arsenal (i havent read everyones thought on the subject tho). Im assuming most are talking about the possibility and defending their opinions against those who are saying he doesnt fit in with their team.

    has anyone said he IS going to arsenal??
     
  13. KALM

    KALM Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Boston/Providence
    If some random BS poster is to be believed, Alejandro Bedoya has.
     
  14. Reignking

    Reignking Member

    Feb 16, 2005
    Atlanta, GA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well, supercooper is right about Jeter...
     
  15. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bedoya has said MB is going to Arsenal? or that some poster has said Bedoya is?
     
  16. kjksccr

    kjksccr Member

    Feb 25, 1999
    San Carlos, CA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The one reason I think Wenger might be considering him is that he would be relatively cheap and does fill a need on that team. I think even Arsene is going to relent a bit and admit he needs some physicality and attitude in the team. I think Michael and LD are pretty intelligent players and Arsene looks for that in his players but I also think they both offer some competitiveness that Arsenal was lacking last year. It might surprise all of us at how good an average player could look surrounded by the players at Arsenal. All just talk at the moment but hopefully some of our boys can take a step up in their careers. If nothing else, our showing at the WC made it clear the US players are team players and won't show up doing an imitation of Anelka.
     
  17. KALM

    KALM Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Boston/Providence
    Something like that...
    Yeah, I'm not getting carried away with that either.
     
  18. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think a number of posters underestimate the size and quality of Gladbach as well as the Bundesliga as a whole. I think if it were more easily accessible on American tv like the EPL is then we'd be having different conversations about Bradley & potential moves. Logically, unless there is a huge offer from a top 4 club where there is a high likelyhood of regular playing time, Bradley won't move until next summer. For his position & age getting on the field is crucial for his continued development.

    What do the central midfield positions look like for Schalke/Werder Bremen, particularly for '11-'12?

    We all know Bob & Michael Bradley are very logical/rational in club choices for MB. Look at his past moves. I don't think this next move (whenever it happens--I hope next summer and not this one) will be that different in terms of thought process. If you were to chart out the "ideal" career trajectory for an American box to box central midfield player it is eerily similar to MB's career.

    Michael is 22 (for another month). What other '87s are doing well in central midfield in Germany/England/Italy? Khedira might be an interesting comparison (even though they aren't the same sort of midfield player).
     
  19. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the few times ive chatted with Bedoya he seemed rather down to earth, so im assuming if he actually said that it probably did come from someone on the team. HOWEVER, i take "he-said-she-said" rumors with a HUGE grain of salt.
     
  20. El Michael

    El Michael Member

    Dec 17, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
    Can you make an intelligent post with out some lame have baked statement. You may not like Bradley, which is Ok and you may even be right that he is not ready to play at Aresenal but to post total crap is really waste time.
     
  21. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    personally i wouldnt mind seeing MB stay in Germany and work his way through the rankings there. Whether that means M'Bach become a CL bound team or MB gets picked up by a CL team. Bundesliga is quality and a perfect fit for someone like MB.

    If he does leave i hope he doesnt go to ride pine. IF MB gets an offer from Arsenal, do you think he'd reject it?? or probably that M'bach would?
     
  22. appoo

    appoo Member+

    Jul 30, 2001
    USA
    since you're not going to answer...

    I took FIFA's passing distance statistics. Bradley's passes, by %, go like this.

    Short - 21%
    Medium - 61%
    Long - 17%

    However, it's no fun just to look at HIS numbers. I compares him to a group of 30 other WC players, all of whom played 4 Matches.

    These are the players.
    Code:
    Spain Sergio BUSQUETS       
    Brazil GILBERTO SILVA       
    Netherlands Nigel DE JONG       
    Ghana Anthony ANNAN       
    Mexico Francisco RODRIGUEZ       
    Germany Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER       
    Germany Sami KHEDIRA       
    Spain XABI ALONSO       
    Mexico Rafael MARQUEZ       
    Spain XAVI       
    Mexico Gerardo TORRADO       
    Netherlands Mark VAN BOMMEL       
    Ghana Kevin Prince BOATENG       
    Portugal TIAGO       
    England Frank LAMPARD       
    Chile Arturo VIDAL       
    USA Michael BRADLEY       
    Netherlands Giovanni VAN BRONCKHORST       
    Germany Mesut OEZIL       
    Netherlands Wesley SNEIJDER       
    Argentina Lionel MESSI       
    Mexico Giovani DOS SANTOS       
    England Steven GERRARD       
    USA Clint DEMPSEY       
    Portugal SIMAO       
    Korea Republic PARK Ji Sung       
    Argentina Angel DI MARIA       
    Chile Alexis SANCHEZ       
    Portugal CRISTIANO RONALDO       
    USA Landon DONOVAN
    Let's see how Mikey Ranks in passing shall we? Let's start by comparing Short passes vs. Medium/Long Passes

    Code:
    OnlyMakes5yardpasses   M+L   Rank   Ahead of        
    Michael Bradley   169   16   Wesley Snjeider
    but wait! He has to complete those passes right?? Let's see how our boy compares. I mean, I'm sure he sucks compared to the world's greats.

    Code:
    Player   % ML Completed       
    USA OnlyMakes5YardPasses  72%       
    Netherlands Giovanni VAN BRONCKHORST   71%       
    Germany Mesut OEZIL   71%       
    Netherlands Wesley SNEIJDER   69%       
    Argentina Lionel MESSI   68%       
    Mexico Giovani DOS SANTOS   65%       
    England Steven GERRARD   63%       
    USA Clint DEMPSEY   61%       
    Portugal SIMAO   61%       
    Korea Republic PARK Ji Sung   59%       
    Argentina Angel DI MARIA   59%       
    Chile Alexis SANCHEZ   58%       
    Portugal CRISTIANO RONALDO   57%       
    USA Landon DONOVAN   57%
     
  23. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't disagree w/ your thought that MB can still improve his value by staying at Gladbach this season. Fulham sans Hodgson and Birmingham are lateral moves from Bradley's current position at Gladbach. Not a step up in terms of club or overall league play. I can't see him going to either unless he is "EPL or bust" and very unhappy at Gladbach. I think he and his main advisers are too smart for that.

    And you're being ridiculous with your gratuitous slams on Bradley's passing/control/etc.

    Were you asking me or using the plural form of you? Me? I have no idea, really. I see a move to Arsenal as unlikely but not b/c of Bradley's passing/ball control/etc. If Arsenal were to offer >15mil then maybe, depends on who else is still on the books there to fight Bradley for PT. I don't see him going somewhere this summer where he wouldn't be able to play or at least face "even" competition for playing time (ie not have to unseat a very established starter).
     
  24. KALM

    KALM Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Boston/Providence
    Here are all the '87s or younger who got regular playing time at CM last season in the Premier League.

    John Obi Mikel: Chelsea
    Alex Song: Arsenal
    Cesc Fabregas: Arsenal
    Marouane Fellaini: Everton
    Jack Rodwell: Everton
    Lucas: Liverpool
    Kevin-Prince Boateng: Portsmouth
    Lee Catermole: Sunderland
    Mark Noble: West Ham
    Mohamed Diame: Wigan
     
    1 person likes this.
  25. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Can anyone tell me if there is a way to display this "players by age" page by age and not alphabetically? Or to just get a list and not the pictures? I am unduly curious about the other '87-'88 mids on WC rosters.

    eta: and just as I post, KALM gives me a lovely list. Thank you :)
     

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