by bigmick » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:31 pm
I think he looks like a smashing little footballer to be perfectly honest. I'm not going to go into the decision to bring Gerrard off in the derby now because I did that to death at the time, bt there seems to be no doubt at all that the little Brazillian can play a bit.
I mentioned on another thread that he has an "Arsenalish" look about him to me. He reminds me of a Fabregas type, he's all 360 degree looks when he hasn't got it, floating into pockets, keeping it simple and he gets a good body shape however it comes to him so he can ping it first time if necessary. Like the arsenal man he also has a little bit of snap in his tackling, a bit of devil about him if you like, and if he can drift into the box with the same intelligence and football brain that he shows in the centre circle, he might just make himself a proper player over here. I like him, and I can see why he was worth money even though he is something of a punt in English football.
The only problem I can see with him is the same as I see with Sissoko. They both need to play much more than they actually are. How do you address that? well selling a central midfielder is step one in all probability. Passmeistro's new "best midfield in the World" song is spot on both in rhythm and sentiment, but it's worth remembering that although it wouldn't really fit, we are talking best "central" midfiled really as we certainly aren't the best out wide.
I know it's controversial and puts me in a significant minority, but given our supposed lack of huge fundage I'd be inclined to think very carefully about Masherano and whether it is the best use of our money to commit to a long term deal.He's a lovely player and all that, but if Alonso and Gerrard are fit I suspect the manager will see him as "first rotation", which will not only make him look expensive but mean that the likes of Lucas and Sissoko (who is a much better player than he is currently showing and if we do sell him I hope it's outside of the Premiership) will get less opportunity to develop.
I actually believe that in time, (and I'm fully aware that this sticking my neck out unbelieveably, talk about "I know it's early") Lucas may prove to be a better player than Masherano. We'll see.
Last edited by
bigmick on Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"se e in una bottigla ed e bianco, e latte".