Ale is not your prototypical winger, he is more of a pit-bull defensively that can pace himself for the long distance. In my opinion his future is inside as an 8.
It really will be interesting to see what happens the next year or two for him at the club level. Nantes is, unfortunately, probably going to have a pretty tough time staying up after the 2015 season. Does he maybe try and ride his wave after this solid season in Ligue 1 and look for a transfer to somewhere else in France or maybe Serie A after the World Cup? Or does he stay in Nantes where he's done well in a very solid league, is highly thought of by the coach and gets pretty good PT?
I think Kljestan is the most comparable example. When all things are said and done, many of us will probably look at Kljestan's career and think that it would've pushed his level to compete in a better league rather than choosing to stay comfy in Belgium.
Yeah I only watch him for the USMNT so I couldn't say. I've watched a bit more Ligue 1 this season but I haven't seen Nantes play once. For the nats though when he's on the wing he reminds me a bit of Cerci.
Bedoya is one of those guys who i hopes sticks it out with their club and has a nice long run with them, much like Kljestan has with Anderlecht (which up until healthy was a great mutual relationship). The transfer embargo for him is actually a good thing; it assures that he will be a likely starter in Ligue 1 for a team with a huge amount of support. So long as they keep their guys, and grow them well internally, I hope he sticks it out.
Got a solid point. He'll be 29 soon. 2 straight seasons of CL experience might help if he were to move to say a France or Italy. Small club might take a chance on him.
What he is doing for us is mostly defensive, he pretty much shuts down any attack from the right wing and he also shifts inside to help the two DM (6/8) is like having a third DM that still have the stamina to recover for his duties of RM.
I was agnostic on Bedoya until the Mexico game in Columbus. He was my motm and as louisz says, just a bundle of defensive energy and hustle. Crucial during first 25 mins absorbing Mexico attack. I've only seen one of Nantes games on TV, some months ago. He's a bit like a poor mans Kuyt stylistically.
I don't think ACM is his best role either. DM is where he can really shine, his defense and pace is tailor made for that role.
Everything you say here is fully astute, but he is growing on the wing. He does have three assists in his last five USMNT games (about 350 minutes played out wide).
Apparently he had that header go just wide, but he also had a really good pass in to Gakpe but he couldn't capitalize
The important thing is, Nantes won 1-0. They are now 10 points out of the relegation zone with 5 games left.
In an era when most outside mids just "contains" the opposition, Ale, goes right at them and forces them to get rid of the ball, in a way, he is breaking the opposition's plan of attack.
LMAO! Nothing that I have seen from Kljestan suggests he has outgrown our league. Quite on the contrary. Guys who have outgrown the league and should leave this Summer: Thorgan Hazard, Lestienne, Meunier, Batshuayi. If anything, Kljestan might have had his worst half-season since New Year. Though he admittedly started the season very well prior to Christmas.
Ale adds to his count: Goal! Bedoya doubles Nantes' lead at Valenciennes.— French Football Weekly Podcast (@FrenchFtWeekly) April 20, 2014