Valverde is the reason kroos gets to stroll around the pitch, spraying passes and dictate games. I wouldn't trust a temperamental Barella to in such a role. Simply put, Valverde is as versatile.and dynamic but also reliable and experienced in Europe. Also physical and aerial attributes. Barella the better passer.
1st leg Atleticos primary focus was closing down Hakan to limiting his influence giving Barella license to roam. How was Barella in the 2nd leg? World class players are consistent and take over games. Barella shirked when we needed him most.
Barella did that once, ghosting in front of his marker is not a consistent ability he possesses. Bellingham "maybe"?
I've been hyping Brllingham since 2021 when he was a CMF. Reason he plays closer to the goal is that coaches have woken up to the fact that he posses that "ghosting" ability coupled with finishing. You think Barella would tally as many goals if he played as a #10?
Sure he has moments (vs barcelona) but what games can we refer to exemplify this WC ability? Has he ever been the best midfielder on the pitch vs Juve?
The maybe is because I am not sure should we count Bellingham as a midfielder.
It doesn't matter if Barella can tally as many goals if he played as Bellingham, the point is he is way ahead of other "WC" players in that perspective.
Giving Barella license to roam, doesn't mean you can take away the credits of his performances, like if you discredit all the games he bosses, by this, then yea you will never find a game to exemplify his WC ability.
Also he has a lot more distances cover to constantly be in the goal scoring position, but just on top of my head, against Porto, Napoli, he has demonstrated it is one of his tool kits. Like if you ask Barella and Brllingham to play Jorginho's position, I can 100% guarantee you Barella would be a lot better.
The more apt Barella comparisons are Iniesta, Kovacic and the like.
I don't think Iniesta and Kovacic does defense like him, plus Barella is way more adaptive in other playing styles.
I think this explains why he is compared to everyone, which shows he doesn't have a weakness people won't consider to compare to, kinda shows how good he is.
To me he is kinda what Sarri wanted Kante to become at Chelsea, but Kante was never an attacking player.
Like I don't see any other players that is like him in terms of style, a bit like Koke, but a lot more technical at the same time, also you would think Barella would win a 50/50 for sure.
Cambiasso was covering as much ground and did dirty work that Barella is expected to.
Closest by far, but I would say Barella still sprints more and still covers more ground, also I expect Barella would win a 50/50 against Cambiasso, also I feel like Barella covers the flanks more too, dribbles better, Cambiasso's movements are more vertical, also more composed, better marking, but 2 different era players. Anyway I feel like our players are always underrated, even back then like Cambiasso.
in a league that didn't even use a midfield...
This is so true, back then, it was so painful to watch Aquilani at Liverpool, people didn't understand and called him a flop.
I think once people understand this, they would know how good Barella is.
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