Spain has actively been going after him. I was amazed they did that for a still unproven player and thought what their back line quality is atm.
Gravenberch hit the post… getting closer to finding the net Virgil just scored with a wonderful header from a corner. Gakpo opened the scoring in the first half.
Watching the FA Cup right now, and you can actually make decent money playing for a third division club like Leighton Orient This guy makes $260,000 British pounds a year. Not bad for a third division club https://m.aiscore.com/salary/player-charlie-kelman-o07dni233p9fokn
Some guy named Martijn Kaars is currently topscorer in Bundesliga 2. 15 goals in 20 matches: https://www.flashscore.com/player/kaars-martijn/xnYgdAQ0/ https://www.flashscore.com/team/magdeburg/YFuz2RLm/standings/#/Eo4seMBO/top_scorers
I watched Villa vs Chelsea because Maatsen started. He looks rusty. I do not see him dribble and go up the pitch anymore, those are his strength when he was at Dortmund. A lot of time he just pass back instead of passing forward. Chelsea's goal is a direct result of him got beaten by Chelsea winger. Malen came on in the 78 minutes. He was deployed as a forward which is not his strength, never make good run for cross or through ball. What concern me is in extra time, he was jogging when Villa is defending their narrow lead. He just played like 10 minutes and he started jogging. No wonder Villa registered Rashford, the loan player, in the CL and not him. Both Maatsen and Malen really need to up their game. Another Dutch player who was subbed on in the 60 minutes is Bogarde. I think this one is very promising. 21 years old comfortable playing as LCB with good passing and strength.
Malen can play all across the attack and will be fine. Playing with Rashford will be challenging as the ManU loanee does not play team football. Maatsen defensively is not very good and has shown his naivety often. Bogarde has shown some good flashes on a few occasions that I have watched Villa play.
I also watched the same game but think you are not telling the full story. First half Maatsen was bit of average but in the second half he was lively. linked up well with Rashford going forward. A lot of times he has been criticized for his defensive work but he does contribute to it when he can. It’s not as if he is big leak at the back like how Daley blind was. Looks like people are forgetting how the management kept up with him. On offensive if he is upfield and there is turn over, the midfield have to cover up. You just can’t every time shut down a player from crossing. It’s gonna happen and Maatsen is no exception. I have have said this before, Lucas Hernandez, digne, TAA, hakimi are all offensive fullbacks and they get coverage when they bomb forward. That’s how you use them. To their strength. Look at the bench mark of epl, defenders, attackers to eredivisie. I have followed maatsen’s every game whether off the bench, 10 mins or full 90. The energy he brings is totally different to that of digne and that’s how emery uses him. Back passing is in the DNA of Dutch football, who doesn’t do this. The other thing you have to consider is rasford is an out and out winger and prefers to go outside more that cutting in. This is one reason why Maatsen doesn’t overlap compared to before when he ( Rashford) wasn’t there. He instead switches to Midfield ( drift inside). I mean all this what you will see him doing now. You need a player like him and like I said before, to get those balls upfront to the forwards. Even if you look at Digne pretty average in defense but his offense play and particularly crossing are his main strengths. He is in the French team Malen was big impact of the bench. He linked up well on few occasions opening up the play launching Villa attack but his finishing still remains ???. Missed one on one like he did vs Czech in the euros. On the left, good angle few yards out. That’s where I see him making the difference. Off the bench perhaps as an impact player. Assisting or increasing the tempo of the game. bogarde agree did well coming of the bench at LCB. Versatile player. Has played RCM, RB, I think last week.
Cameo appearance for Gakpo. Good to see him back after a knock. Both Virgil (so many clearances!) and Gravenberch were really, really good defensively. Airtight. Kudos also to Arne Slot. Outsmarted Guardiola by a distance tactically. Deploying Szobozlai as a false “9” was an excellent move. Paid off big time! Liverpool have this league title wrapped up. Massive 11 points lead over injury-ridden Arsenal. They can now focus on UCL.
I will say this again. Apart from van dijk, gakpo and gravenberch really need to show the same consistency level and deliver in NT as what they are showing at Liverpool. Not just vs average teams where NT typical dominate but vs big guns where the competitiveness is equally to greater. This is something to watch vs Spain. If not you can conclusively come to the argument they are thriving at Liverpool because of the quality of players around them.
Leeds go five points clear of second place sheffield-united after coming from behind to beat them 3-1. Piroe with his 15th goals and becomes joint top score in championship. Nice goal from him from outside the box to seal the win. He was criticised alot for his style play and has really paid for the faith the Leeds coach has had in him. Has been scoring late in the game even when. Coming of the bench and now is undisputed and playing full 90 unless if they are winning and is rested towards the end.he will cross 20 goals mark by the end of the season and shud be on the radar of other teams as well Shud Koeman call him up or it will bring the Dutch football to an all time low having to look for players in championship