Sebastián

This World Cup is Brazil’s to lose. Not only do they have the best international player in the world in Neymar, but they’ve also added very good positional play automatisms which ensure they get their attackers in the best possible positions.

Casemiro is underrated technically. He’s got a very good switch of play, a powerful shot from range & is surprisingly good at escaping pressure. He lacks a bit of vision & bravery to pass between the lines, but he’s nowhere need as bad as some people make him out to be.

This is a thread on my experience at the Camp Nou yesterday. Everything, from my interaction with the locals to my thoughts on the game, and a lot of self reflection as well. Hope you enjoy (because I did):

Ecuador will be one of the top national teams in South America over the next 5 years. Young, talented players with big physical attributes that are getting their footballing education in top European leagues. Hincapie, Estupiñan, Preciado, Caicedo, Plata. All future top players

Henderson & Milner are nominal leaders, but they have no credibility on the pitch. No way players of the technical prowess of Trent, Salah, Firmino, have any respect for them on the pitch when they can’t get the ball under control.

Don’t think United fans are aware of the measure of rebuild they’d need to succeed with Ten Hag. I can’t think of many squads more ill fitted for a positional play system. Impossible to retain possession with the likes of De Gea, Varane, McFred, Bruno, Rashford, Ronaldo.

Love how he rushes out of goal to tighten the angle for the striker (Alisson style) and makes a lot of saves with his legs/feet (De Gea style). @Phillyconcarne check it out:

This would be a top signing for Palace. Lafont is the closest thing to De Gea (very similar styles), except he’s much more proactive and dominant in his box. Youngest ever Nantes captain too, a born leader.

Rabiot. He’s technically secure, can carry the ball, dribble out of pressure, play one touch, pass and move, brush the ball, switch the play, decent shot from range. He’s tall, has a big stride, nimble footed for his size. Fix his mommy issues and there’s a top player in there.

Tuchel is out of his mind if he sells Colwill. Of all Chelsea academy graduates, he’s the only one who’s a nailed on starter long term and potentially the best in the world in his position

Cucurella is amazing, can play as a left back, left wing back, left centre back in a back 3, left midfielder in a 4-4-2, left #8 in a midfield three, all to a very high level

Incredible burst and energy, can drive his team forward by himself, top technician. Don’t think enough people are aware of the fact he was Getafe’s primary creator, he’d receive the ball wide and drive into #10 positions to play a final ball