Starts: 🚨 𝘽𝘼𝙍𝘾̧𝘼 𝙓𝙄 !! 🚨#BarçaValencia pic.twitter.com/TdcOgWkgKf— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 17, 2021
Yes he's playing a wide role on the right - I think to unbalance Valencia's defense. Seems pretty involved so far.
Another look at Sergino Dest's position today for FC Barcelona -- and he nearly just scored a goal! pic.twitter.com/BpooFSFy2Q— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) October 17, 2021
I like Dest a lot up top... less tracking back should lead to him having more gas in the tank towards the end of the game. Roberto has been playing RB and I don't think he has gotten forward for a cross once yet. Just goes to show you how much running Dest does when he is playing back or wingback. It is exhausting to be expected to help consistently on O yet always track back on the counter.
Given he plays and starts frequently at technical-obsessive Barcelona..... not only as a defender, but also as a midfielder and winger......at only 20 years old.......I am not too worried at this point about Mr. Dest career trajectory and 'what he is missing'..... Nor should Mr. Vink...
I'll never forget the dutch who told us he needed another year at Ajax........ I urged him to get outta there but I have to say I was like the dad in Whiplash, for those who saw that movie, when he insisted on going to Barca. And honestly I thought he needed a lot of improvement in terms of expanding his game but he was not going to get that done at Ajax. Parents always see you as their baby, dont they?
There is one thing I never liked about Dest's game which I have never mentioned here because I didn't want to distract from his career: He has the bad habit of stopping play and walking and turning off in terms of what is going on in the game. The quality of always moving to improve prospects is something that struck me right away with Scalley. You might think it takes up too much energy but it is really the opposite. When making small adjustments to improve prospects off the ball, a leisurely trot gait is fine. With Dest you dont even get that. It's like he just stops. And I'm happy to get that off my chest as Dest soars up the food chain at Barca which is no small achievement.
Dest assist was done when he fooled everyone that he was going to pull back toward his own goal but instead went back into the 18-yard box for a pass to Coutinho open in front of goal. Musah tried to help out from his left-wing position but was too late.
Pretty sure he has been the "Top Miler" quite a few times this year. The dude runs a lot when playing RB/LB/Wingback. At any rate... I think he brings more to the table playing in an attacking position and I hope we get to see more of him there moving forward.
Yup. From what I have seen Musah just plays a lot better for the USMNT than he does w/ his club team. I think that is because he is more comfortable on a club tha maintains a lot of possession. In short... I don't think he is all that great off the ball. Still only 18 and playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world... I assume he will improve as times goes on.
The assist: DEST TO COUTINHO 😤BARCELONA UP 3-1. pic.twitter.com/oN3nYMocW7— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 17, 2021
Dest burned two Valencia defenders, and two other Valencia defenders were guarding no one in the box just like Musah. Lots of blame to go around.
None of those other guys have an American passport. So yeah, the focus is on Musah. His ball watching has been a consistent issue this season. He's got to stay tuned in.