Sandro Tonali Official

[metalgear]

Why not? Because that's not his strength. Sure you can ask him to do it but you won't get a particular great result doing so. Tonali can pass, but that really isn't what he's there for and if that's the expectation he's a bad buy because you don't pay £100m for Tonali's passing range. It's just not of that standard.


Fernandes is more suited to that role between the 3 starting quality CMs we have. If you want a midfielder to break the lines with their passing its Fernandes who should be the one doing it and I expect that is exactly why we bought him. That is his strength much more so than Bentancur or Tonali.

For me it's fairly obvious that a midfield 3 of Fernandes, Tonali & Bentancur/Gallagher is too static and that blend doesn't cover all the roles needed in a 433/4231. If we were to play this way then you have to put so much more importance on the creativity and quality of the wings. As that is where the playmaking, incision, precision and goal scoring would all have to come from. Ala Liverpool circa the Klopp era with Mane and Salah. We don't have wide players of that quality or even skillset blend to do this so we do need to spread this responsibilities into the more traditional 10 area.

The general system I see lots of green shoots for, it's just lacking that 10 that is causing a lot of issues. We are unable to drive at defences or really pierce through the lines with quality. I do think it will come when Kulu and Maddison are back up and running at full speed, it's just that full speed might take a while.

but dezerbi wants to play 4231 and although tonali played as the single pivot for Saudi Sportswashing Machine, there was hope that he would turn out to be a pirlo in italy:

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[Bishop]

but dezerbi wants to play 4231 and although tonali played as the single pivot for Saudi Sportswashing Machine, there was hope that he would turn out to be a pirlo in italy:

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4231 is fine with a double pivot of Fernandes + Tonali/Bentancur.

Tonali's passing isn't poor but I just don't think the optimum way to use him and it is in a 3 with Fernandes and Bentancur with no 10 and expecting Tonali to be the one to dictate the play.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

The problem is Bentancur, this isn’t a knock on his individual performances, it’s the fact he handicaps both Tonali and Fernandes. When Bergvall replaced him today Tonali almost instantly sprinted into life, Tonali is NOT a deep lying playmaker, he is a box to box ball carrier, Bergvall took up the role of the deep playmaker releasing Tonali to do what he does best,

Fernandes as the 6 offers the defensive protection of Bentancur and the line breaking passing ability of the elite players which would allow Tonali to play his natural game, this narrative that Bentancur is our most important player needs to end, yes he has his role in certain matches but in a game like today he should be 5th choice for the pivot roles.

 

[Kandi1977]

He's been crap, but he's made to look crap by the role De Zerbi puts him in! Tonali is more suited to open games, and to carry the ball and drive forward. Instead he's asked to be much more static in the centre of the pitch, like a Pirlo. But he's not Pirlo. Not even close! He's a box to box and ball carrier!

 

[Aldo]

The problem is Bentancur, this isn’t a knock on his individual performances, it’s the fact he handicaps both Tonali and Fernandes. When Bergvall replaced him today Tonali almost instantly sprinted into life, Tonali is NOT a deep lying playmaker, he is a box to box ball carrier, Bergvall took up the role of the deep playmaker releasing Tonali to do what he does best,

Fernandes as the 6 offers the defensive protection of Bentancur and the line breaking passing ability of the elite players which would allow Tonali to play his natural game, this narrative that Bentancur is our most important player needs to end, yes he has his role in certain matches but in a game like today he should be 5th choice for the pivot roles.

Bentancur played miles better today than any of the others you mention.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

Bentancur played miles better today than any of the others you mention.

Your completely missing the point, it’s not about Bentancur’s individual performance, either today or at any point this season, him being in the team completely handicaps both Tonali and Fernandes because he is the only one playing his natural role so of course he is going to look better, it’s about the overall team dynamic.

 

[Aldo]

Your completely missing the point, it’s not about Bentancur’s individual performance, either today or at any point this season, him being in the team completely handicaps both Tonali and Fernandes because he is the only one playing his natural role so of course he is going to look better, it’s about the overall team dynamic.

I’m not missing anything. Tonali has been crap and should be dropped. RDZ admitted he wasn’t fit after no WC and a full pre season. Bentancur should be the first name on the team sheet. Let’s then see how Tonali reacts.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

I’m not missing anything. Tonali has been crap and should be dropped. RDZ admitted he wasn’t fit after no WC and a full pre season. Bentancur should be the first name on the team sheet. Let’s then see how Tonali reacts.

You are completely missing the point, at no point have I stated that Bentancur has been bad but Tonali has been crap because he has been asked to play as a deep lying playmaker to accommodate Bentancur, Fernandes has been crap because he has been asked to play as a 10 to accommodate Bentancur, both in their natural roles are better players than Bentancur, a Fernandes Tonali double pivot offers way more.

 

[Aldo]

You are completely missing the point, at no point have I stated that Bentancur has been bad but Tonali has been crap because he has been asked to play as a deep lying playmaker to accommodate Bentancur, Fernandes has been crap because he has been asked to play as a 10 to accommodate Bentancur, both in their natural roles are better players than Bentancur, a Fernandes Tonali double pivot offers way more.

You’re very good at telling me I’m missing the point but not so good at demonstrating it. Bentancur has been our best player in every match so far, yet you’re suggesting we drop him to accommodate an underperforming £100m player who hasn’t stepped up.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

You’re very good at telling me I’m missing the point but not so good at demonstrating it. Bentancur has been our best player in every match so far, yet you’re suggesting we drop him to accommodate an underperforming £100m player who hasn’t stepped up.

It’s like speaking to a fudging brick wall, what part is difficult to get into your skull that Bentancur’s role is effecting both Tonali and Fernandes and hence the entire midfield dynamic, for the third time at no point have I stated that Bentancur has been playing crap.

 

[fernadez]

You are completely missing the point, at no point have I stated that Bentancur has been bad but Tonali has been crap because he has been asked to play as a deep lying playmaker to accommodate Bentancur, Fernandes has been crap because he has been asked to play as a 10 to accommodate Bentancur, both in their natural roles are better players than Bentancur, a Fernandes Tonali double pivot offers way more.

Don't agree. It's not accomodation it's the formation he wants to play .

Bentancur is in there on merit. Tonali on price tag and Fernandes on potential. Bentancur came off and the midfield fell apart. If he's getting hooked then it should be Fernandes dropping in not Tonali.

The issue could be solved by playing Tonali and Fernandes both as #8 either side of Bentancur. But then you're accommodating him at the expense of the other two.

Fernandes is obviously being played there because all our #10's are injured. I'm interested to see what happens when they're not, because right now it should be Bentancur and Fernandes behind someone.

 

[Aldo]

It’s like speaking to a fudging brick wall, what part is difficult to get into your skull that Bentancur’s role is effecting both Tonali and Fernandes and hence the entire midfield dynamic, for the third time at no point have I stated that Bentancur has been playing crap.

You’re all over the place mate. You can’t even see your own point let alone mine.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

Don't agree. It's not accomodation it's the formation he wants to play .

Bentancur is in there on merit. Tonali on price tag and Fernandes on potential. Bentancur came off and the midfield fell apart. If he's getting hooked then it should be Fernandes dropping in not Tonali.

The issue could be solved by playing Tonali and Fernandes both as #8 either side of Bentancur. But then you're accommodating him at the expense of the other two.

Fernandes is obviously being played there because all our #10's are injured. I'm interested to see what happens when they're not, because right now it should be Bentancur and Fernandes behind someone.

Tonali is being asked to play as a deep playmaker which is not his game, he is playing that role because Bentancur is next to him, I agree that Fernandes next to Bentancur would be a better partnership than Tonali and Bentancur but Fernandes as the 6 and Tonali as the ball carrying box to box 8 is the best duo as a double pivot, as a three it would be Fernandes as the 6 with Bergvall and Tonali as the 8s.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

You’re all over the place mate. You can’t even see your own point let alone mine.

I see my point your just demonstrating your thick as fudge and can’t see past Bentancur’s individual performances.

 

[Aldo]

I see my point you’re just demonstrating your thick as fudge and can’t see past Bentancur’s individual performances.

TBH, I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I’ve wasted some time in debating with someone who has just revealed the type of person that he is.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

Just one question, is Tonali world class?

Maybe, just not in this universe

 

[Yiddo.1882]

TBH, I’m a bit disappointed in myself that I’ve wasted some time in debating with someone who has just revealed the type of person that he is.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.

You have not debated anything, you have just imagined that at some point I have said Bentancur’s individual performances have been bad which I haven’t and hence you completely missed the point.

 

[fernadez]

Tonali is being asked to play as a deep playmaker which is not his game, he is playing that role because Bentancur is next to him, I agree that Fernandes next to Bentancur would be a better partnership than Tonali and Bentancur but Fernandes as the 6 and Tonali as the ball carrying box to box 8 is the best duo as a double pivot, as a three it would be Fernandes as the 6 with Bergvall and Tonali as the 8s.

I said before we signed him that anyone expecting Tonali to excel as a playmaker was going to be disappointed.

At the moment Bentancur deserves to start. Fernandes will make the position his own in due course.

Funnily enough I think it's as #8 where Gallagher would actually be semi decent. Him and Tonali either side would give you that box to box midfield.

The manager doesn't want to play that way though.

 

[Yiddo.1882]

I said before we signed him that anyone expecting Tonali to excel as a playmaker was going to be disappointed.

At the moment Bentancur deserves to start. Fernandes will make the position his own in due course.

Funnily enough I think it's as #8 where Gallagher would actually be semi decent. Him and Tonali either side would give you that box to box midfield.

The manager doesn't want to play that way though.

I have been saying all pre season that this squad is better suited to a 433 until the 10s are back fit and that Tonali is not a 6.

Going back to the original point I made it’s not about Bentancur’s individual performances being bad as I stated in the original post, it’s the fact Tonali is being asked to play as the playmaker next to him, Fernandes as the 6 offers the defensive shield of Bentancur as well as the creativity of the playmaker, which in turn releases Tonali to play his natural role as a ball carrier, on paper Tonali and Fernandes compliment each other perfectly.

 

[thfcsteff]

The problem is Bentancur, this isn’t a knock on his individual performances, it’s the fact he handicaps both Tonali and Fernandes. When Bergvall replaced him today Tonali almost instantly sprinted into life, Tonali is NOT a deep lying playmaker, he is a box to box ball carrier, Bergvall took up the role of the deep playmaker releasing Tonali to do what he does best,

Fernandes as the 6 offers the defensive protection of Bentancur and the line breaking passing ability of the elite players which would allow Tonali to play his natural game, this narrative that Bentancur is our most important player needs to end, yes he has his role in certain matches but in a game like today he should be 5th choice for the pivot roles.

That's a very fair point/perspective.
I know one thing; today we did not need both Tonali and Bentancur and we also should not be playing Fernandes as a 10 IMO.