Xavi Simons

[metalgear]

I hate stats like this because they push a narrative that he’s careless with the ball or weak or whatever and ignore any context.

He lost the ball several times because he was trying to do something creative with it but had f**k all movement in front of him. He could have taken the easy option and went backwards but he tried to move us forward. I heard Merson on The Overlap recently saying that he gets bored watching players just pad out their stats with nothing passes because it’s killing creativity.

I know it’s Merson but I agree to an extent. I see it in underage football too. Young kids being criticized for taking on players if they lose it as if losing possession is the biggest crime in the world. Creativity and bravery is being coached out of kids. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about a kid who wants to dribble the entire pitch every time – I’m talking about one who can go past a player and then create something because he’s reduced the number of defenders between his team mates and the goal. A player who can draw 2-3 players in by dribbling and then maybe find a pass or go past someone. I love watching players who can do the unexpected and do something that can get me off my seat rather than players who pass for the sake of passing.

I believe Xavi can be that for us. He’s a terrific talent IMO.

if you watch the game he gets dispossed because he tries to outrun his chasers in a straight line towards the other side's goal. a bit too predictable if you ask me and eventually a third player - usually a CB will stop the run

gray is more mature in this aspect, knowing when to pass back or run with the ball forward. i think we should try gray alongside xavi because its smarts in the midfield that is lacking

 

[Muttley]

This reminds me of the situation that Ndombele found himself under Jose.

In Tanguy's case there was a deep defence with a midfield parked in front of him. Much further ahead there was a front two of Kane and Son. Tanguy had the 50 yards in between midfield and attack to manage all by himself. Of course he was going to fail and because he had a bad attitude he also quit on the work rate it takes to be in that role.

What I saw at the weekend was a young guy with a refreshingly great attitude and work rate, some nice skills who would be double or even trebled up on in possession. He had nowhere to pass to and nowhere to run into with the ball and was pinned into the wide areas by Arsenal. There were some moments where Xavi's body language didn't look good because of the system but I hope he sticks with it. Under Jose, Sonny also quit on the system. After Tanguy was removed from the side Jose shifted it so he had to play up and down the entire left side. No way Sonny was having that.

One of Tudor's biggest jobs is to get guys like Xavi believing that the system will change to his on benefit very soon. It's making him believe that it can only do that if he as an individual keeps playing that way. His team mates will eventually get it.