2017/18 Davy Klaassen

roydo · July 28, 2017

davek said:
How does that negate my belief that pace is required to be a top player? You're just highlighting that less than top players have pace. If you have talent without pace in that part of the pitch you are diminished as a threat.

Pace as a team, I would agree. But players with lesser pace can still be an attribute in a pacy side.

CBA making a list, but fellas like Cantana spring to mind. Speed of their mind as useful as a Giggs waltz through Arsenal.

Lanolin · July 28, 2017

Mickey said:
Top 10 fastest players in the prem last season:

1 Shane Long
2 Lyndon Gooch
3 Kyle Walker
4 Jamie Vardy
5 James McClean
6 Andre Gray
7 Adama Traore
8 Eric Bailly
9 Etienne Capoue
10 Willy Zaha

The next 10 include such footballing legends as Erik Pieters, Vincent Janssen and Jesus Navas.

Brains > legs.

Not even messing 4 of them would absolutely waltz into our starting XI. Also reckon Jesus Navas would probably sit looking at his World Cup, European Championship, Premier League and Europa League winners medals and think 'you know what, I am a footballing legend'.

Everton_Gary · July 28, 2017

Pirlo says hi...

Not a speed merchant but sure does have the mental side down.

Titus Bramble · July 28, 2017

davek said:
Against teams sitting back? Yes. He shows no aptitude for breaking down a congested area of him. He had to go ahead of the ball last night to the edge of the box to crack open a bit of space for a chance.

Far too early to deem him useless in any capacity

I take it you're purposefully ignoring the move which had him hit the side netting which he was heavily involved in the build up of?

Titus Bramble · July 28, 2017

Titus Bramble said:
Far too early to deem him useless in any capacity

I take it you're purposefully ignoring the move which had him hit the side netting which he was heavily involved in the build up of?

Soz, that came out more abrasive than I meant it... been a long week

bluestevon · July 28, 2017

@davek, klassen is a quality player, but what I will say is he isn't a mata type and he would benefit hugely from pace around him in the forward spots.

More Cahill and lampard type than a scholes or Mata

davek · July 28, 2017

Mickey said:
Giroud is a player you want Dave and is bottom 5 pace in the prem. Fabregas is bottom 10 and has just won the league. Cazorla is a player you rate is bottom 20. So is Gundogan at City.

Brains > legs.

'sall I'm saying.

He's not that type of player.

Old Blue 2 · July 28, 2017

davek said:
That one. I see him play and hardly see evidence he can skip away from a challenge and buy time. He gets shut far too quickly for me. Maybe he's taught that at Ajax, but when his manager compares him to Xavi he better have some of the masters attributes to back it up.

Well, he is with a new team, among new team-mates, playing the first competitive game for us. Whan I saw last night in the main was his ability to draw an opponent almost making a tackle as he slipped the ball to a team-mate, thereby taking the would-be tackler out of the equation instantly. There is a skill in that also.

Give the guy a chance, ffs!

Mickey · July 28, 2017

davek said:
He's not that type of player.

lol

d34noj · July 28, 2017

roydo said:
Pace as a team, I would agree. But players with lesser pace can still be an attribute in a pacy side.

CBA making a list, but fellas like Cantana spring to mind. Speed of their mind as useful as a Giggs waltz through Arsenal.

Exactly. A ball travels faster than a pair of legs, speed of thought is more important than pace.

davek · July 28, 2017

roydo said:
Pace as a team, I would agree. But players with lesser pace can still be an attribute in a pacy side.

CBA making a list, but fellas like Cantana spring to mind. Speed of their mind as useful as a Giggs waltz through Arsenal.

They can still avoid challenges and surge. I'm not talking about carrying the ball from the halfway line. A burst of speed over 10 metres and better balance can make a hell of a difference to a player operating in the area Klaassen will ply his trade.

roydo · July 28, 2017

davek said:
They can still avoid challenges and surge. I'm not talking about carrying the ball from the halfway line. A burst of speed over 10 metres and better balance can make a hell of a difference to a player operating in the area Klaassen will ply his trade.

Thought he showed a few glimpses of that last night. Maybe I was mistaken.

davek · July 28, 2017

Titus Bramble said:
Far too early to deem him useless in any capacity

I take it you're purposefully ignoring the move which had him hit the side netting which he was heavily involved in the build up of?

No, I didn't ignore it, I addressed it.