I wish people would relax on this kid. He's really not that good and when this becomes apparent to others, he wont have a chance to get better because the hype will already have ruined him.
I don't feel I've seen enough to make a judgment, but when half the superclubs in Europe are being linked to him, it's hard not to get excited.
It's the media trying to fill pages without real soccer at hand, until this week in Germany. In France no soccer to be expected soon, so rumours are the best thing to sell.
Yeah... he has been fantastic since the return. That chip goal to beat BVB was flat out sic. He is creative, quick and has legit experience. Hard to see Dest just coming in and unseating him... and riding the bench is not was Dest needs to develop. Got to go to a place where he will be "the guy".
He is certainly playing there now but has time at RB. Pavard is playing opposite Davies... he is entering his prime (24) and transfermarkt has him rated as a 30+ million dollar player. 4 goals and 4 assists in 27 games and has the height/speed combo Bayern likes at back. He is also signed until 2024. Dest should go elsewhere.
Some seasons he's played about 30 games at RB and other seasons he's played about 30 games at CM/DM/CDM. A guy that versatile is gold dust to any team. That said, they may want to put him in the centre of the midfield going forward and recruit another RB to compete/rotate with Pavard, knowing that if e.g. one is injured and the other suspended, Kimmich can fill and the some in for 2-3 games
think theres a cognitive anchoring in a different era for people saying dest isnt very good. he might not be that great for how things used to be done, but if you want outside backs that are helping you build an attack in numbers with the wheels to get back on defense and do enough there to give midfield cover and central defenders a chance to eliminate the danger then he he seems like a pretty exciting teenager
Well, actually depending on the opponent BM plays a 3-4-3 system when in attack and alternating either Kimmich or Davies push up to the midfield.
Yeah, someone made the point in another thread that outside back used to be a position where you could possible hide your weaker players--as long they could run a bit and defend a bit, they didn't have to be great technically or terribly sophisticated in their understanding of the game. Now, outside backs are often key parts of a team's offensive strategy, whether pushing up and playing more as a winger or coming inside and playing more as a CM. And if you have teams like the USMNT under Berhalter, the one outside back pushes forward, while the other has to tuck in and almost be an extra CB at times. All this requires a lot more fitness, technical ability, and understanding of the game than 10-15 years ago. So yeah, Dest seems very much like the ideal modern outside back, even if his pure defensive abilities aren't the best. I think that's what all of these big teams are seeing, and they probably worry less about the defense, since they expect to be on the front foot in most games.
i think the expectations for defending are different too! it really is about being fast and willing to run back and harry someone until the real defenders clean up the mess from what i can see
I think we have some solid early candidates for Dest's next thread title: On the front foot again: Sergiño Dest at Bayern Munich On the front foot again: Sergiño Dest at PSG On the front foot again: Sergiño Dest at Barcelona
Destined to Win the Bundesliga: Sergiño Dest at Bayern. Destruïm Espanya! Sergiño Dest at Barcelona. The Emir Knows Dest: Sergiño at PSG.
PSG only sees Dest as an option if Marusic isnot coming from Lazio. https://www.transfermarkt.nl/colin-dagba/profil/spieler/460629 this is his competition
Kehrer is a completely different type of player and is probably 4 inches taller than Sergiño. Hard to see Kehrer as competition for Dest or vice versa. Kehrer and Pavard are much more similar. All these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.
It's also an "expectations" issue. If anyone suggests he's not an exciting teenage prospect they're sedated beyond reason. But it's also a bit much to suggest he's a proven exceptional defensive outside back yet. And, on the right team, he won't even need to be. But those teams are really few and far between. You'd be silly not to be super-excited about Dest's upside, but you'd also be dishonest not to notice that if he has a limiting skill-set at the moment it's his defensive play, especially his decision making. But that is also something that can be learned, and there's little to indicate that he's not smart.
right but we are talking about a player selling for 20 million and not 60 million! obv a lot can change with post covid world valuation wise, but the general point holds
Sure. It's really just what your idea of "exciting" is. I can't imagine anyone not being excited. But I also can imagine him having a fairly steep learning curve on some teams. But if he moves to an "A side" Ajax - an attacking juggernaut that is rarely, if ever, required to roll out any kind of cantenaccio or defensive-minded formation that includes pinched FBs - he could look really, really good, really fast. I'm very optimistic, but I still think his defensive top is not as high as it could, or should, be. But again, he's young and seems pretty smart. I doubt it's long-term drag. But a less dominant team in a more competitive league might find it useful to send him to school for a little bit.
also i think we might be getting at something else here too - he is attractive to huge clubs because they can afford to pay 20 million to see if he further develops his game
This I agree with 100%. Even if he doesn't get a lot better, absent a surprising reversal/injury he'll likely always be at least near break-even, esp with a top club label on him. And if he reaches top, he's a bargain.
Always wanted to see an American break through at Barca...think the closest we ever got was John O'Brien. IIRC Barca were having a presidential election after the 02 World Cup, and one of the candidates was set on bringing in JOB if he won the Presidency.
I agree: expectations have changed dramatically. I can't remember a US player who in a couple months went from "random prospect" to "10 year starter at position". If you say he's an auto-starter for the US, then not only do you project him in the future but you have to judge him in the here and now. His defensive play is weak. If the US were to play a WCQ soon (which assuming they will) against a team they'll have to defend against, I'd worry about his defense in that type of match. I'd rather play Reggie Cannon. But if we are talking potential in 5-6 years? Obviously you'd take Dest over Cannon. As I said when comparing to Davies, the difference between being one the best in your world at a position and the potential to do so is massive. I'm excited/hopeful about Dest too... I just am not convinced he is a slam dunk superstar.