Player Watch: Clément Lenglet

[DodgyLasagne]

Have a look for yourself if you think I am making the criticism of Lenglet up:

Clement Lenglet (loaned to Aston Villa)

I still think he has quality to perform somewhere, but here he is finished. Probably in Segunda B...

www.barcaforum.com

This isn't just an out of form player, this is someone who makes a fatal mistake nearly every time he plays.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

i would prefer us signing players that are already performing well though

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Have a look for yourself if you think I am making the criticism of Lenglet up:

Clement Lenglet (loaned to Aston Villa)

I still think he has quality to perform somewhere, but here he is finished. Probably in Segunda B...

www.barcaforum.com

This isn't just an out of form player, this is someone who makes a fatal mistake nearly every time he plays.

That was Dier 18 months ago

 

[SandroClegane]

Have a look for yourself if you think I am making the criticism of Lenglet up:

Clement Lenglet (loaned to Aston Villa)

I still think he has quality to perform somewhere, but here he is finished. Probably in Segunda B...

www.barcaforum.com

This isn't just an out of form player, this is someone who makes a fatal mistake nearly every time he plays.

I'm sure Barcelona fans offer very measured reactions and don't have unrealistically high expectations for all of their players...

 

[EQP]

Would prefer N'Dicka over Lenglet but I understand why Conte might prefer Clement as he's more comfortable dribbling and passing out from the back. Not overly concerned about his past defensive lapses as Conte will drill his defensive automations and positioning during the pre-season (and we have a good group of CBs who already have a great foundational understanding of Conte ball).

 

[dtxspurs]

i would prefer us signing players that are already performing well though

Like Bentancur and Kulusevski?

 

[mil1lion]

He's definitely a player who needs a change of club. It's difficult to perform with limited minutes so naturally he'll struggle to come in and perform. He started well at Barca but just got worse over time and the individual errors increased. Although the Barca defence in general also got worse and they've been pretty shocking at the back without Lenglet involved. For example Ter Stegen was shocking for some time as well yet considered one of the most promising keepers in the world a few years ago. I'm sure under Conte in a back 3 and a well drilled defence he would be a lot more reliable. He's surprisingly fairly young still and yet to hit his peak years. He's 3 years younger than Davies who has looked totally transformed left of a back 3. On loan there's not too much risk but I would also want another high profile centre back in addition. I think it's also important to note he has won titles at Barca and we need more players who have won titles to help mentally get over the line.

 

[DodgyLasagne]

That was Dier 18 months ago

I'm sure Barcelona fans offer very measured reactions and don't have unrealistically high expectations for all of their players...

At some point you guys have to confront the uncomfortable reality that he has been playing very subpar football for the past 12 months and beyond.

Perhaps Conte could improve him, perhaps there is a great player in there still, but at this very moment he is not anywhere near the standard required to achieve our goals.

Additionally given that he struggles with the physicality of La Liga, how is he going to somehow improve in the Prem?

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Playing in a 4 with a team that is all over the place to playing in a 3 with a steady team around is completely different. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

Personally I'd put a cheeky bid in for Maguire for the same reason.

It's not about finding the most popular players, it's finding the most suitable. I think our January business proved that.

And it's a loan.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

Like Bentancur and Kulusevski?

i mean the chance of success is probably higher for players already performing well at their clubs then the underperforming players. i don't have any knowledge on players other than spurs so i am in the "if Conte is happy i am happy" camp, so i wouldn't mind if Conte wants Lenglet

 

[Ron Burgundy]

On loan there's not too much risk but I would also want another high profile centre back in addition.

This is it for me. You can make a case for brining in two defenders. If he’s one of the two, fine, as long as the other one is the marquee, game changing LCB we’re all craving.

There are a few positions where an upgrade could make a real difference:
LWB - done
RWB - uncertain, not clear that we’ll be bringing in someone who’s way better than what we have
CM - the links aren’t blowing me away
LCB - which brings us here…

Basically, if we’re not materially improving the first XI in other positions, then we’ve got to go fairly balls out here IMO

Maybe we are looking to go more aggressively at RWB or CM, and if so, I do get it.

Bit the narrative has suggested that Conte really wants to boost this position. I’d like it (and I suspect he would) to be someone who comes and really makes a difference

 

[easley91]

I agree with you that righting off players before they sign is wrong. But at least it creates discussion. That's what this place is for - I hope. I'd rather have people on here saying Harry Kane is a League One player (as long as they're not trolling) than someone who responds to any critique of a player or potential signing with "Conte likes him and he knows more than you" or some variety of that. Of course he deserves to be trusted and knows more, but it just instantly ends any conversation. There's been players over the years where people on here have had what proved to be legitimate concerns about a player, but were immediately shut down with that same trope. It's boring and adds nothing to the site.

Besides, any time this place is universally in favour of a player they usually end up being a disappointment, so the more against the signing the better he'll turn out to be!

I understand and you're not wrong. However it's the "needs to be sold" after one game that gets me. Or just outright believing they're not good enough and not even giving the player credit when they begin to show some form.

I understand the need for discussion and debate, but you can't deny there is an extreme reaction to players on here and in our fanbase in general. I've seen so many say Davies, Hojbjerg, Dier were all not good enough and they turned out to be key components under Conte this season and in getting us fourth.

This wasn't directed at you by the way, nor was it solely based on Lenglet. Just fed up of so many writing players we're linked with off because they're not supposed top targets. Then we sign those players and they're not given a chance whatsoever by the fans even when the managers keep picking them.

 

[Flobadob]

Playing in a 4 with a team that is all over the place to playing in a 3 with a steady team around is completely different. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

Personally I'd put a cheeky bid in for Maguire for the same reason.

It's not about finding the most popular players, it's finding the most suitable. I think our January business proved that.

And it's a loan.

This seemed like a good post until you said Maguire. He’s always been a donkey in my opinion, he’s just been found out even more seriously this season. Leicester was his level previously, decent but nowhere near top level

 

[Pebble Dash]

Playing in a 4 with a team that is all over the place to playing in a 3 with a steady team around is completely different. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

Personally I'd put a cheeky bid in for Maguire for the same reason.

It's not about finding the most popular players, it's finding the most suitable. I think our January business proved that.

And it's a loan.

We’ve got a live one… someone get the lobotomy ready…

 

[Nine while nine]

Had Clément Lenglet tracked Harry Kane properly in the 85th minute of the game between Barcelona and Tottenham in December 2018, then Kane wouldn't have been able to cross to Moura, and Moura wouldn't have scored. We wouldn't have drawn the game and consequently we wouldn't have squeezed through into the round of 16 at the expense of Inter Milan. We'd have therefore missed out on the victories against Dortmund, the excitement against Man City and the heroics against Ajax.

Whether his signing for us is a good thing or not, I'm undecided. Let's face it, an inability to track a runner isn't exactly a selling point. That said, he was in a flat back four alongside Vermaelen, so not necessarily the best game by which to judge him.

However, all that to one side, for his small role in helping us live through what was a fantastic half a dozen games in 2019, he has my undying gratitude.

Merci, Clément.

 

[barry]

I've been doing some research and supposedly it's a mental thing with Clement.

Ever since the 8-2 vs Bayern he hasn't been right in the head, which culminated in him crying in his car after a match.

It doesn't help that the Barca papers haven't been particularly kind. It seems he get's blamed no matter the performance. In addition to that Busquets and Alba are shadows of their former selves, and therefore offer no protection down his side.

We've got scapegoats on here, who on occasions are unfairly lambasted, but Luckily we don't have the intense focus on us like Barca do in Catalunya.
This has obviously taken its toll on the lad.

Maybe a change of scenery will rekindle his old self, as the talent is still there.

I actually feel sorry for the kid.

 

[Tucker]

Some of the over reactions on here from the usual suspects have been hilarious. Let’s see what happens, tbh I trust Paratici and Conte to know who’s capable of making an impact in our system.

 

[ButchCassidy]

If he can play the deep-lying central Dier role, I’m all for it, we desperately need cover there (see the four games Dier missed where we lost three of them) and a former top talent on loan ticks lots of boxes, plus it probably lets us free up Rodon and Tanganga to finally go get consistent playing time somewhere else.

 

[spursfan77]

Playing in a 4 with a team that is all over the place to playing in a 3 with a steady team around is completely different. Class is permanent, form is temporary.

Personally I'd put a cheeky bid in for Maguire for the same reason.

It's not about finding the most popular players, it's finding the most suitable. I think our January business proved that.

And it's a loan.

I know what you’re saying but you couldn’t have him and Dier in the same team. Even Southgate has worked that out. I wonder if there are any other left backs playing that could play in that left sided spot like Davies has done with effect. If not I am sure we will get somebody in.

 

[N'Obody]

I like Lenglet. It's a shame it hasn't worked out for him last few years. He is quality when it comes to ball carrying and passing.

If there is a manager who can bring out the best in him again, it's definitely Conte.

Plus a 2 year loan is a no brainer tbh, doesn't cost as much and if he can regain his sevilla form, we will purchase him then or at worst he returns back to Barcelona.

Him and Bremer would be quality if we can't get Bastoni. I'm down with whoever Conte and Paratici think is ideal for the system.