- Jan 3, 2013
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I don't see it that way at all, to be honest. Lapses? Yes, but that's also expected. He does have a tendency to "sink" into the wrong man, but there have been times when he has dropped back into vacant spaces left by our fullbacks and in return has stopped counters or at least slowed them greatly. I immediately think of against Southampton when he did this repeatedly. I don't view him as strictly-speaking a DM, but more so a B2B at this point with the potential to become a deep lying playmaker should his passing continue to develop.
He's 19 years old. I think it's a bit ridiculous to think he'd come in and be absolutely polished all around. Well, unless you're Tim Sherwood.
Don't get me wrong, I think he's got potential. But he's not accomplished enough in either defence or attack yet to be playing regularly for us. The box to box player for most teams is normally their most important, as it's the position which arguably has more influence over the team than any other. Unfortunately for Bentaleb, that is obviously the role which he would need to play to excel, and at the current time (which is perfectly understandable for a 19 year old) he's not good enough to play there for a team trying to challenge for the top 4. I'm not necessarily saying Behrami is, but I think he's accomplished and experienced enough on the defensive side of things to mean that within in the next two years he could have more a positive impact for us than Bentaleb could, as at least he can do a job, and that job is screening the back four. All onions of course, but that is mine..