Player Watch: Davinson Sanchez

[delawarespur]

I rewatched the full match (luckily my laptop survived Lanzini's goal for the second time) and kept an eye on Sanchez. It shouldn't be this basic, but he generally defended well. His passing consisted of short passes, hoofs up the pitch and one diamond of a ball to son of about 50 yards. I don't think anyone would disagree that he is poor on the ball generally speaking. Besides the own goal, he was defensively solid. The problems off the ball consist of his tendency to sometimes over-commit or give away fouls trying to win the ball on the front foot and his lapses of concentration. His physical tools are world class, up there with upamecano, varane, etc. in terms of his athleticism. He just looked out of place on the left. When paired with dier, and he's playing on the right of a defensive pair, he looks better. The mental game is one that is so so difficult to improve, but if he does, he'll be special. One theory (probably completely wrong) is that maybe his mistakes on the ball could possibly impact his mental state/concentration/confidence off the ball at times.

In terms of the defense overall, the only goals we conceded this season have been own goals, pens, set pieces or goals resulting from a set piece, and worldies from 30 odd yards. We haven't been cut open from open play at all so far this season, and that is so so encouraging. We haven't conceded nearly any high percentage chances inside the box or from the edge of the box or from crosses from open play. The only issue I have from our open play defending so far this season is the propensity for opposing players to get free behind our defense in crossing positions from just outside the box. This is the position from which the cross came in and Sanchez headed into the back of his own net. The fullbacks, centre mids, and the centre back on the side of the cross need to be communicating better in these situations. While we have conceded a decent amount of goals this season, we've just had incredibly bad luck when it comes to long range strikes. Fix the set piece issues and our defensive numbers should back up how generally solid we've looked this season.

 

[double0]

I rewatched the full match (luckily my laptop survived Lanzini's goal for the second time) and kept an eye on Sanchez. It shouldn't be this basic, but he generally defended well. His passing consisted of short passes, hoofs up the pitch and one diamond of a ball to son of about 50 yards. I don't think anyone would disagree that he is poor on the ball generally speaking. Besides the own goal, he was defensively solid. The problems off the ball consist of his tendency to sometimes over-commit or give away fouls trying to win the ball on the front foot and his lapses of concentration. His physical tools are world class, up there with upamecano, varane, etc. in terms of his athleticism. He just looked out of place on the left. When paired with dier, and he's playing on the right of a defensive pair, he looks better. The mental game is one that is so so difficult to improve, but if he does, he'll be special. One theory (probably completely wrong) is that maybe his mistakes on the ball could possibly impact his mental state/concentration/confidence off the ball at times.

In terms of the defense overall, the only goals we conceded this season have been own goals, pens, set pieces or goals resulting from a set piece, and worldies from 30 odd yards. We haven't been cut open from open play at all so far this season, and that is so so encouraging. We haven't conceded nearly any high percentage chances inside the box or from the edge of the box or from crosses from open play. The only issue I have from our open play defending so far this season is the propensity for opposing players to get free behind our defense in crossing positions from just outside the box. This is the position from which the cross came in and Sanchez headed into the back of his own net. The fullbacks, centre mids, and the centre back on the side of the cross need to be communicating better in these situations. While we have conceded a decent amount of goals this season, we've just had incredibly bad luck when it comes to long range strikes. Fix the set piece issues and our defensive numbers should back up how generally solid we've looked this season.

Sanchez at 24 yhrs is a very good defender and if he can be more consistently better on the ball which like you said may contribute to his overall confidence/concentration we truly have a defender.

Since you took the time to watch the game again could you please give your honest thoughts on Toby Alderweireld.

 

[ardiles]

I just hope that, with time, Sanchez can start to improve under Ledley’s & Jose’s guidance.

Toby is way past his best and there’s always a mistake or a moment of lack of concentration from Dier.

 

[delawarespur]

Sanchez at 24 yhrs is a very good defender and if he can be more consistently better on the ball which like you said may contribute to his overall confidence/concentration we truly have a defender.

Since you took the time to watch the game again could you please give your honest thoughts on Toby Alderweireld.

Was also solid v West ham. Still a great reader of the game, still a great distributor. Just isn't amazing when isolated 1v1 and has definitely slowed down a bit. Been sort of relegated to backup, as dier and Sanchez seem to be the preferred pairing, which should be the way forward. Still a classy option to rely on, especially when required to sit back a little more.

 

[wirE]

Good for Sanchez to get another game under his belt. Hope he can boost his confidence tomorrow and keep growing.

 

[double0]

Was also solid v West ham. Still a great reader of the game, still a great distributor. Just isn't amazing when isolated 1v1 and has definitely slowed down a bit. Been sort of relegated to backup, as dier and Sanchez seem to be the preferred pairing, which should be the way forward. Still a classy option to rely on, especially when required to sit back a little more.

Many thanks for your assessment

 

[double0]

Was also solid v West ham. Still a great reader of the game, still a great distributor. Just isn't amazing when isolated 1v1 and has definitely slowed down a bit. Been sort of relegated to backup, as dier and Sanchez seem to be the preferred pairing, which should be the way forward. Still a classy option to rely on, especially when required to sit back a little more.

Many thanks for your assessment

 

[mumfordspur]

I rewatched the full match (luckily my laptop survived Lanzini's goal for the second time) and kept an eye on Sanchez. It shouldn't be this basic, but he generally defended well. His passing consisted of short passes, hoofs up the pitch and one diamond of a ball to son of about 50 yards. I don't think anyone would disagree that he is poor on the ball generally speaking. Besides the own goal, he was defensively solid. The problems off the ball consist of his tendency to sometimes over-commit or give away fouls trying to win the ball on the front foot and his lapses of concentration. His physical tools are world class, up there with upamecano, varane, etc. in terms of his athleticism. He just looked out of place on the left. When paired with dier, and he's playing on the right of a defensive pair, he looks better. The mental game is one that is so so difficult to improve, but if he does, he'll be special. One theory (probably completely wrong) is that maybe his mistakes on the ball could possibly impact his mental state/concentration/confidence off the ball at times.

In terms of the defense overall, the only goals we conceded this season have been own goals, pens, set pieces or goals resulting from a set piece, and worldies from 30 odd yards. We haven't been cut open from open play at all so far this season, and that is so so encouraging. We haven't conceded nearly any high percentage chances inside the box or from the edge of the box or from crosses from open play. The only issue I have from our open play defending so far this season is the propensity for opposing players to get free behind our defense in crossing positions from just outside the box. This is the position from which the cross came in and Sanchez headed into the back of his own net. The fullbacks, centre mids, and the centre back on the side of the cross need to be communicating better in these situations. While we have conceded a decent amount of goals this season, we've just had incredibly bad luck when it comes to long range strikes. Fix the set piece issues and our defensive numbers should back up how generally solid we've looked this season.

But you are making it sound an easy fix as I have posted before Mourinho tells them in the Amazon doc they shit themselves.
That must have been some time ago.
I wonder if "shouty Joe" could organise them better.

 

[delawarespur]

But you are making it sound an easy fix as I have posted before Mourinho tells them in the Amazon doc they shit themselves.
That must have been some time ago.
I wonder if "shouty Joe" could organise them better.

It's not easy, organizing a defense is very difficult. But just look after restart last season, we were super solid in defense, even though it was in exchange for a lackluster style of play. I think this season we're seeing a much better balance. We're setting press traps, we're communicating in open play better, and while we do sit back at times, we are incredibly deadly on the counter, a la Real Madrid 11/12. We're going to score a ton of goals, and defensively I actually see solidity. Like Jose said in the press conference, one ings goal aside from a very tight angle, we've been watertight in open play. Set pieces is what we need to improve on, and Jose has also admitted that needs work. Besides that, yes there can be mental errors, but it shouldn't be too difficult to tell players to be careful in the box. Then there were the two dubious pens that every team has conceded and even if the interpretation doesn't change drastically, these should decrease based of the change. We'd on 12 points through 5 games if we didn't get two bullshit foul decisions go against us in the build up to the Newcastle and west ham equalizers. There's no reason for panic, and I feel we should all be confident about our play so far this season and about our prospects for the rest of the games; I certainly am.

 

[kmk]

Savage Jose

 

[JCRD]

He has definitely won me over since the game against Bournemouth last season... that was wow awful but he has proven me wrong and now has the fire and fight I think

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

As others have said, he has all the physical tools to be an absolute dominant centre back for us. I think his weakness lies in lapses of concentration, which lead to mistakes, and then causes him to lose confidence and become hesitant in his decision making. If he can improve the mental side of his game he really could be excellent but I feel it’s make or break for him this season with Mourinho at the helm.

 

[Rosco1984]

I think your being very harsh. Out of interest name 5 CB's ( VVd Dias Laporte aside) better in the PL.

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

 

[$hoguN]

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

Yeah I don’t agree with a lot of those

 

[double0]

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

From your list I'd say Soyuncu is debatable with Sanchez.

Mings and Ake are both left footed, ideally in a CB pair it's good to have balance but defensively Sanchez is clearly better.

Its subjective and yes I did pose the question but for me I'd have Sanchez above them all.

 

[spursfan77]

I rewatched the full match (luckily my laptop survived Lanzini's goal for the second time) and kept an eye on Sanchez. It shouldn't be this basic, but he generally defended well. His passing consisted of short passes, hoofs up the pitch and one diamond of a ball to son of about 50 yards. I don't think anyone would disagree that he is poor on the ball generally speaking. Besides the own goal, he was defensively solid. The problems off the ball consist of his tendency to sometimes over-commit or give away fouls trying to win the ball on the front foot and his lapses of concentration. His physical tools are world class, up there with upamecano, varane, etc. in terms of his athleticism. He just looked out of place on the left. When paired with dier, and he's playing on the right of a defensive pair, he looks better. The mental game is one that is so so difficult to improve, but if he does, he'll be special. One theory (probably completely wrong) is that maybe his mistakes on the ball could possibly impact his mental state/concentration/confidence off the ball at times.

In terms of the defense overall, the only goals we conceded this season have been own goals, pens, set pieces or goals resulting from a set piece, and worldies from 30 odd yards. We haven't been cut open from open play at all so far this season, and that is so so encouraging. We haven't conceded nearly any high percentage chances inside the box or from the edge of the box or from crosses from open play. The only issue I have from our open play defending so far this season is the propensity for opposing players to get free behind our defense in crossing positions from just outside the box. This is the position from which the cross came in and Sanchez headed into the back of his own net. The fullbacks, centre mids, and the centre back on the side of the cross need to be communicating better in these situations. While we have conceded a decent amount of goals this season, we've just had incredibly bad luck when it comes to long range strikes. Fix the set piece issues and our defensive numbers should back up how generally solid we've looked this season.

I don’t think that is completely wrong at all. If anything, it’s probably completely correct.

 

[DJS]

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

Coady can only play in a back three I believe.

Alderweireld???

That‘s an... interesting suggestion...

He‘s been as shaky as Sanchez since start of last season sadly, considering what an immense centre back he was in his prime.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

If you watch him live, or pay special attention to him on the tv, you'll see that he's actually a pretty good defender.

His positioning and athleticism is usually good, which means he's in the thick of it most of the time. Which means when he makes a mistake, it's there for the world to see.

It also doesn't help that a lapse in concentration is his main weakness, as opposed to his positioning or athleticism.

When Poch or Mourinho and their coaches analyse his performance on video, they'll see this and that's why he's started so many games. If he was useless he'd be out the door.

All that said, it doesn't mean we can't upgrade him and it also doesn't mean he was worth the 40m+ we paid for him.

This.

Actually watching him closely this season shows what a great defender he is. He is a lot more than a pace merchant and he is winning the ball alot more this season. He reminds me more of king every time I see him. Just watch how many times he calmly disposseses an opponent.

However he has weaknesses, the one that he really needs to work on is clearances, he doesn't smash it clear and his headed clearances are pretty tepid as well.

I think we need to remember that davinson is 24 years old, he is not the finished article yet. He is still very young for a CB.

I certainly wouldn't sell him.

 

[yankspurs]

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

Toby? He’s terrible now. Sanchez is better than at least 6 of those.

 

[rio bryan]

Tarkowski, Dunk, Coady, Mee, Mings, Alderwiereld, Mina, Soyuncu, White, Ake... I will stop at 10 but I could go on.

You forgot Dier !