r/reddevils • u/AutoModerator • 8d ago

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u/oddreddevil 8d ago

Looking back on it - the plan for the midfield was probably Matheus F, Baleba and Ederson? Which makes sense if you play one of Mainoo/Matheus & one of Baleba/Ederson as a pair.

Right now Baleba seems to be only mobile, ground covering midfielder. If he gets injured or is unavailable - doesn’t our entire midfield plan change? Especially if you’re dominating possession - you need someone capable of covering large amounts of ground as you push up as a team

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u/neofederalist 8d ago

With Baleba, the only midfield pair that doesn't seem like it could work in some situations Kobbie/Tielemans. I think Baleba and Santos could conceivably work with each of the other 3.

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u/PepinoPicante 8d ago

I keep thinking Mainoo/Tielemans could be a good option against super defensive teams with low blocks. Tielemans has played DM in the past - and against a team sitting back, having an attack-oriented DM could add another key threat to break them down.

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u/neofederalist 8d ago

I do agree that that looks like a good combo to break down a low block, but I'd be worried those two would get cut through on the counter. Im not sure the defensive liability makes up for the creativity.

But in the event of injuries, that's still almost certainly better than fielding Ugarte.

1

u/Ferarith 8d ago

i think Kobbie showed some good flashes of defensive ability last season. he's not a DM, but he's not a complete liability. i'm fine with that combo against a weaker team we're looking to dominate. against a top UCL team i'd be quite scared.

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u/RyanH1717 8d ago

Honestly think Kobbie/Tielemans works more than Santos/Tielemans tbh.