RFUS
Anustart
I thought he was going to get another chance under Martinez after watching him in pre-season. He played well enough, and is probably the best centre back at the club in terms of distribution.
If he's going to see out the remaining year of his contract then it makes sense to use him. I'd still pick him ahead of Alcaraz.
His distribution isn't actually all that. Chico will mock me again I'm sure, but statistically Jag's long balls are the best (which seems crazy but our eyes can tell lies!)
However in terms of ability on the ball, he's head and shoulders above Jags and Distin so yeah you would think in a possession team he'd fit quite nicely. But then Martinez would have been crazy to drop either Jags or Distin, which puts Heitinga on the bench/in midfield and that's why he has attitude problems -- not playing in his preferred position.
Whilst I don't know too much about Alcaraz it seems he's a ball playing CB like Heitinga, and slow as [Poor language removed], like Heitinga, and he's pretty highly rated by those who do know him. So if it was a choice between the two I'd pick Alcaraz as he'd be eager to impress.
Despite one stellar season he's going to go down as one of our most appalling pieces of business, considering his wage.