Best case scenario he's a more offensive Branislav Ivanovic?
Best case scenario he's a more offensive Branislav Ivanovic?
That could be. I was thinking similar to a Thomas Meunier? Decent enough pace, solid with the ball at his feet and just a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type.
My take is that he’s shown a lot of promise as a CB with clear composure in possession and decent close control to get himself out of trouble.I dont understand why so many posters think he'll be a conservative fullback, when he is already ultra progressive as a centerback.
My take is that he’s shown a lot of promise as a CB with clear composure in possession and decent close control to get himself out of trouble.
The problem comes that playing FB for us requires a very very different set of skills. The way we play you need to be ready to explode and sprint into space as soon as we turn over possession. This lets us stretch the other team while being able to force their wide players back into a more cautious mindset.
Every time we’ve tried Foyth at FB so far you can see that his first priority is to cover the space behind him and by the time he makes a run the opportunity has been lost and they’ve set into their defensive shape.
Can’t remember the game last year but Eriksen was screaming at him to make runs for a full 20mins but he never responded and was always playing on the back foot. Affected the whole shape of the team so if he is to be given a run at FB he needs to change the way he plays.
It’s no surprise as he’s always been a CB and it’s essential as a CB but as a FB you need to be as quick in the mind as you are in your feet and Foyth doesn’t have that mindset (not to say he can’t be taught).
The tackling side worries me a bit too. He has a tendency to dive in which (when playing against a tricky winger) can be very risky. He’s given a lot of leeway as a 4th choice CB but if he starts being viewed as a main option for FB he will quickly frustrate and be judged by the fan base.
TL: DR - promising CB but hasn’t yet shown he can be a decent FB
He hasn’t always been a CB - he as an attacking midfielder up to the age of 16/17. His conversion to centre back has been fairly recent.
With the technical skills of a attacking mid, awareness of a centre back, good pace and willingness I really don’t understand the concern.
Trent Alex Arnold is a converted centre mid, Sergio Ramos was forced to play full back early in his Real Madrid career, Danny Rose was a utility midfielder. There are numerous other successful examples. Positioning is something that can be coached - especially when we Poch the full back whisperer is the one doing the coaching. Foyth has all the raw attributes to be a real success in my opinion.
Good comparison and he wasn’t exactly shabby!Best case scenario he's a more offensive Branislav Ivanovic?
He hasn’t always been a CB - he as an attacking midfielder up to the age of 16/17. His conversion to centre back has been fairly recent.
With the technical skills of a attacking mid, awareness of a centre back, good pace and willingness I really don’t understand the concern.
Trent Alex Arnold is a converted centre mid, Sergio Ramos was forced to play full back early in his Real Madrid career, Danny Rose was a utility midfielder. There are numerous other successful examples. Positioning is something that can be coached - especially when we Poch the full back whisperer is the one doing the coaching. Foyth has all the raw attributes to be a real success in my opinion.
Interesting, I didn’t know he used to be an AM, was that in youth football or senior?He hasn’t always been a CB - he as an attacking midfielder up to the age of 16/17. His conversion to centre back has been fairly recent.
With the technical skills of a attacking mid, awareness of a centre back, good pace and willingness I really don’t understand the concern.
Trent Alex Arnold is a converted centre mid, Sergio Ramos was forced to play full back early in his Real Madrid career, Danny Rose was a utility midfielder. There are numerous other successful examples. Positioning is something that can be coached - especially when we Poch the full back whisperer is the one doing the coaching. Foyth has all the raw attributes to be a real success in my opinion.