The living breathing Garra Charrua terrorizing Madrid opponents - The Fede El Grande Valverde Thread

Hendrix22 · Aug 7, 2018

I think this guy will be a long term feature in Madrid's midfield, and likely a key one in the future. I have been thoroughly impressed from his performances against ManU and Juventus - he has silky smooth passing ability (very reminiscent of Kroos in his style), great mind and eyes for a playmaker, and also some pretty decent size/physicality and hustle.

I don't know if he will stay for the season, but if it was up to me he would. I see him as Kroos' understudy, just as Llorente is Casemiro's and Ceballos is Modric or Kovacic's. The dilemma for me is between the two Croats. Do we extend Modric's contract and risk the departure of a midfield tour de force in Kovacic, or sell Modric for a fee below his value and go full youth? If its the latter, Valverde would become even more important and his development will accelerate. Either way I wouldn't loan him again, he already looks good enough to be a rotation midfielder for this team.

Halycon · Aug 7, 2018

He is potentially the ultimate b2b player. Very allround.

Digital · Aug 7, 2018

Does remind me of Kroos somewhat

natenate101 · Aug 7, 2018

I haven't been as impressed with him as some of you, but he is only 20 years old which is great. Needs to stay healthy this season and grow.

robnycus · Aug 7, 2018

I am heading to the stadium in a few hours and he’ll be one the guys I’ll be paying close attention to..
He and VJr

Eddie · Aug 7, 2018

shit thread title

russian hattie · Aug 7, 2018

Eddie said: ↑

shit thread title
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Literally. I don’t see much of either player in him.

But props for making him a thread I think he can be a very good player. It’s a role that requires a lot of maturity and experience though, so I hope we bring him through sensibly.

S1na · Aug 7, 2018

I don't like to see Khedira's name on a thread for a promising talent.

Hendrix22 · Aug 7, 2018

S1na said: ↑

I don't like to see Khedira's name on a thread for a promising talent.
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Khedira has some very important attributes for a midfielder, like size, energy and positioning. He was useful to us in the 4-2-3-1 and if he was good with the ball, he would have been a world beater. I see Valverde as similar physically and tactically, but much better technically.

Anon. · Aug 7, 2018

Khedira is well over 6 foot, Valverde is 5 foot 11 inches, and isn’t well built or muscular, I don’t get physicality similarities between the two. In fact, I wouldn’t call Valverde a physically imposing player at all.

Hendrix22 · Aug 7, 2018

Given his age, I think he looks like hes gonna be a big guy.

Zidane05 · Aug 7, 2018

He's really impressed me every time I've watched him whether here or with Deportivo. He is similar to Kroos in that he makes things look so effortless sometimes that he doesn't pop out or stand out. But he's a traditional box 2 box who is very, very intelligent at reading the game, even more so given his age. I have very little doubt he'll be something special, and I don't say that lightly. The things he does are very tough to do at his age for his position.

S1na · Aug 7, 2018

Hendrix22 said: ↑

Khedira has some very important attributes for a midfielder, like size, energy and positioning. He was useful to us in the 4-2-3-1 and if he was good with the ball, he would have been a world beater. I see Valverde as similar physically and tactically, but much better technically.
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He had too many injuries. It brings bad luck!
Also I didn't like the way he spoke about the club after joining Juventus.

Halycon · Aug 7, 2018

Khedira was one of the reasons we didn't win a CL trophy with a Xabi, Oezil, Ronaldo etc in their prime. You cant simply dominate the midfield with a donkey as a midfielder.

He can run much, has good positioning, thats about it. I remember often when he puts himself in a scoring position, he always managed to fck up his chance. A typical Mourinho player.

ABB94 · Aug 7, 2018

Halycon said: ↑

Khedira was one of the reasons we didn't win a CL trophy with a Xabi, Oezil, Ronaldo etc in their prime. You cant simply dominate the midfield with a donkey as a midfielder.

He can run much, has good positioning, thats about it. I remember often when he puts himself in a scoring position, he always managed to fck up his chance. A typical Mourinho player.
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The last paragraph is true tbh. I remember in the 12/13 season, we would have walked away with a 1-3 win from the etihad stadium if he didn't have two left for finishing. Instead we drew 1-1 which affected us coming 1st in the group..

Bear Crotch · Aug 7, 2018

I honestly don't even think Khedira was very good with his positioning or being a defensive destroyer. He was also pretty slow. He was a bit of a powder puff for his size too.

I'll never know how that player made it made it for so long in this team.

Saeta Rubia · Aug 7, 2018

Khedira's positional sense is good. Had a terrible first touch and crap finishing meant he mostly didn't take advantage of those runs. Fede is good technically. I hope positioning is the only thing that he has similar to Khedira.

Hendrix22 · Aug 7, 2018

Saeta Rubia said: ↑

Khedira's positional sense is good. Had a terrible first touch and crap finishing meant he mostly didn't take advantage of those runs. Fede is good technically. I hope positioning is the only thing that he has similar to Khedira.
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And strength. And stamina. And discipline. And profesionalism.

Khedira had a lot of intangibles that made him valuable. He was a smart player despite his limitations. Valverde is also very smart.

Anyway, just saying I wouldn't be uncomfortable at all going in the season with a midfield of

Kroos(Valverde)-----------Casemiro(Llorente)-----------Kovacic(Ceballos)

Viva la revolucion!

(as long as we get Hazard and Balotelli, I mean Lewandowski/Icardi)

fierro · Aug 7, 2018

Halycon said: ↑

I remember often when he puts himself in a scoring position, he always managed to fck up his chance. A typical Mourinho player.
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I also found this gem.

Digital · Aug 7, 2018

Bear Crotch said: ↑

I honestly don't even think Khedira was very good with his positioning or being a defensive destroyer. He was also pretty slow. He was a bit of a powder puff for his size too.

I'll never know how that player made it made it for so long in this team.
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Everytime I’ve watched him play even when he was with us I have no idea what he is good at, I don’t know what he does on the team ( any team)

kelvinphr · Aug 7, 2018

Digital said: ↑

Everytime I’ve watched him play even when he was with us I have no idea what he is good at, I don’t know what he does on the team ( any team)
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He breathes well. Tires the opposition via oxygen deprivation

Digital · Aug 7, 2018

Hendrix22 said: ↑

And strength. And stamina. And discipline. And profesionalism.
)
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I have all that stuff but I’m not great at passing or tackling, no vision to speak of can’t shoot and am always out of position somewhat, can’t believe I didn’t make it.

Hendrix22 · Aug 7, 2018

Digital said: ↑

I have all that stuff
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Of course you do.

YOUNGSTARS87 · Aug 7, 2018

natenate101 said: ↑

I haven't been as impressed with him as some of you, but he is only 20 years old which is great. Needs to stay healthy this season and grow.
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This is my feeling. Hope he grows to meet their praise he is getting.

Anon. · Aug 7, 2018

YOUNGSTARS87 said: ↑

This is my feeling. Hope he grows to meet their praise he is getting.
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There’s a hell of a lot of “hope” going into a number of players to step up this season. Calling that a risk is an under statement, but let’s see how it pans out. There’s a lot of positive energy amongst the squad at the mo.