Have you watched an entire game of his? Marseille set up the same exact way that we do, as Poch's system is based on Bielsa's. Imbula is at the center of most play. He wins the ball and begins the drive forward. Marseille often attack very quick, Imbula in no way impairs their counter-attack speed (he often starts these attacks).
Have you based your opinion entirely on highlight videos? It's not really an effective way to judge a player like a CDM, as the best players often have to do the least amount of work due to their positional intelligence and lack of mistakes. Those youtube videos will of course show him shielding the ball and driving past players like Dembele does. But, they will not show how Romao was in trouble, so he dumped the ball to a well covered Imbula who then dribbled his way out of trouble and passed the ball on, continuing the play. His teammates trust him and he carries the middle of the field. He shows incredible football intelligence and leadership for a 22 year old. He is also very tactically responsible, which is why he has flourished under Bielsa. He presses well and tracks players through the midfield. He is also, in fact, a very good passer. He's not the sideways passing nightmare that Dembele is. The weak part of his game is finishing, but in a system that relies on goals from the wingers and striker, it is not all that great a loss.
He is very different from any player that we have. While he is not all that similar to Schneiderlin (Kramer is more-so), he is similar in the right ways. I would say he ticks all the appropriate boxes, and trust our scouting team that he does as well. He knows where to sit in the midfield, he knows how to keep the play moving, he is defensively responsible and he isn't mistake prone. He isn't a deep lying playmaker, but we aren't looking for one. He is, however, a damn better option to pair next to Bentaleb than any of our current lot.
Have you watched an entire game of his? Marseille set up the same exact way that we do, as Poch's system is based on Bielsa's. Imbula is at the center of most play. He wins the ball and begins the drive forward. Marseille often attack very quick, Imbula in no way impairs their counter-attack speed (he often starts these attacks).
Have you based your opinion entirely on highlight videos? It's not really an effective way to judge a player like a CDM, as the best players often have to do the least amount of work due to their positional intelligence and lack of mistakes. Those youtube videos will of course show him shielding the ball and driving past players like Dembele does. But, they will not show how Romao was in trouble, so he dumped the ball to a well covered Imbula who then dribbled his way out of trouble and passed the ball on, continuing the play. His teammates trust him and he carries the middle of the field. He shows incredible football intelligence and leadership for a 22 year old. He is also very tactically responsible, which is why he has flourished under Bielsa. He presses well and tracks players through the midfield. He is also, in fact, a very good passer. He's not the sideways passing nightmare that Dembele is. The weak part of his game is finishing, but in a system that relies on goals from the wingers and striker, it is not all that great a loss.
He is very different from any player that we have. While he is not all that similar to Schneiderlin (Kramer is more-so), he is similar in the right ways. I would say he ticks all the appropriate boxes, and trust our scouting team that he does as well. He knows where to sit in the midfield, he knows how to keep the play moving, he is defensively responsible and he isn't mistake prone. He isn't a deep lying playmaker, but we aren't looking for one. He is, however, a damn better option to pair next to Bentaleb than any of our current lot.
I'm begging. Anyone. Please. If you have a heart. Please take Kaboul and Chiriches from us. As well as Ade and Capoue. And Paulinho. And Lennon. Please.ali z on dentral defenders: From what I hear only actively looking to shift Kaboul and Chirches ...though might sell Fazio for the right offer.
I think all of those will be incredibly difficult to shift. I just hope the last ITK piece about players coming in regardless of outgoings is true. Otherwise we really are screwed. A lot of these players are going to hang on tooth and nail as they know we are as good as they will get.I'm begging. Anyone. Please. If you have a heart. Please take Kaboul and Chiriches from us. As well as Ade and Capoue. And Paulinho. And Lennon. Please.
Sincerely,
Spurs fans everywhere
I think all of those will be incredibly difficult to shift. I just hope the last ITK piece about players coming in regardless of outgoings is true. Otherwise we really are screwed. A lot of these players are going to hang on tooth and nail as they know we are as good as they will get.
I'm begging. Anyone. Please. If you have a heart. Please take Kaboul and Chiriches from us. As well as Ade and Capoue. And Paulinho. And Lennon. Please.
Sincerely,
Spurs fans everywhere
4 league starts, 8 sub appearances and 7 cup appearances and you can say that? pfft.Stambouli is the French Holtby, he tries hard but the talent isn't there. There's a reason he was behind Mason, Bentaleb, Dembele and even Paulinho last season. Imbula is an upgrade on him at least imo.
I disagree about Capoue and Lennon. Both are useless IMO.Not too bothered about Lennon leaving as I still think he can do a job. And I know I'm in the minority, but it's a real shame about Capoue. It's obviously an attitude problem cos purely in footballing terms, I think there is a beast of a player there and I've always been impressed with him on the pitch.
Our main problem (has been for years) is how slow we move the ball from defence to attack. Granted this isn't helped with our lack of pace and runners in behind, but what is the point of buying more of the same in such a key area we continue to go wrong in? Despite his positional weaknesses, why do you think Poch went with Mason over Dembele/Paulinho?
He hasn't played because he's not good enough, been fit all season, is there another reason?4 league starts, 8 sub appearances and 7 cup appearances and you can say that? pfft.
It's not about players with pace it's about moving the ball quicker. And unless I'm mistaken it's been "a few years" since Redknapp (Modric) was here.You obviously were in some foreign land without TV's when Redknapp was here............
"Taxi for Maicon" still makes me laugh out loud. If that side hadn't got enough pace Mitchell needs to be scouting Bolt and not Schneiderlin.
I don't know why he didn't play more. Do you?He hasn't played because he's not good enough, been fit all season, is there another reason?
? ... yes, read my post you quoted...do you remember a guy called Luka Modric?
I agree its going to be very difficult. Why do you think Im begging and said if you have a heart?I think all of those will be incredibly difficult to shift. I just hope the last ITK piece about players coming in regardless of outgoings is true. Otherwise we really are screwed. A lot of these players are going to hang on tooth and nail as they know we are as good as they will get.
Well, the most common reasons for not playing are being not good enough or not fit? What else?I don't know why he didn't play more. Do you?
Doesn't matter why anyway, seeing him start 4 league games over a season is not enough for the likes of us to judge him.
It's not about players with pace it's about moving the ball quicker. And unless I'm mistaken it's been "a few years" since Redknapp (Modric) was here.
It's a key part to have pace in the side with players who can run in behind, but it's no good if you don't have the right players in central midfield. I will always stand by the term "A game of football is won and lost in the midfield"