I agree he is playing better and making more of a contribution offensively but anyone suggesting that a fully fit Rose shouldn't be in the team ahead of him is having amnesia as to just how good Rose was last season before his injury and how much of an impact he has in our offensive pattern.I think he has been our best player so far this season. If he keep playing like this, Rose will not get back in to the starting eleven.
He has improved in so many different areas. His passing is better, he reads the game better, he seems to be quicker and his crossing has improved. Sometimes he does a normal cross and sometimes he cut it back.
I know that we have only played four games and that this stat will probably drop, but so far Davies has 3.3 key passes/game, as a left back (ranked 3rd in the league). That's insane.
A fit Rose would always be first choice against that type of attack, but an improved Davies with more defensive cover to protect against his lack of relative pace helps us when needs must.He was excellent against Everton, who just happen to be one of the slowest teams in the league, but I still think he's very vulnerable against pace. I wouldn't be confident at all with him at left back against rapid attacks like City or Liverpool.
He was excellent against Everton, who just happen to be one of the slowest teams in the league, but I still think he's very vulnerable against pace. I wouldn't be confident at all with him at left back against rapid attacks like City or Liverpool.
Saw that too. He wasn't doing that last season.I think pace is much important in a back 4 but both Jan and Sanchez offered him some cover. It also allows him to defend higher up the pitch and use the DM to help wih runs in behind him. We often assume that speed is crucial for a wing back but, IMO, stamina and positioning are far more important and he ticks those boxes well.
Second time I've brought this up but rewatch his performance yesterday to see how he created a yard for himself. So clever and effective
Saw that too. He wasn't doing that last season.
especially he is the only defender among those midfielders/attacking midfieldersThis is an incredible stat. That just goes to show how important Davies has become.
Key passes a game (i.e. chances created through a pass).
Mkhitaryan - 3.8
Mesut Özil - 3.8
Cesc Fàbregas - 3.3
Ben Davies 3.3
David Silva 3
De Bruyne 2.8
Eriksen 2.5
Davies has created the 3rd most chances per game, thats incredible.
Worth noting as well that in that game, he was horrendously exposed by Son in front of him. I think he'd do a much better job against Liverpool now.He's class and he only gets truly exposed against blistering place, basically Mane, but most do.