Player Watch Player Watch: Radu Dragusin

[ajspurs]

I can't say I'm greatly convinced as of now. The thing that disappoints me the most isn't even his capabilities or lack of on the ball, but he actually loses more physical duals than I thought a defender like him would. Seems to try to throw his weight around but can come off second best still too often.

 

[muppetman]

For such a big guy, I’m surprised at how limp some of his defensive headers are. They often drop at the feet of oncoming opposition players.

Also baffled at his decision to wipe out their player with 98 minutes on the clock.

When I left the guy he wiped out was still getting treatment - hope he is OK.

 

[spurs-r-us]

His agent runs his mouth off whenever he doesn't play, and this is how he plays when he gets a consistent chance. Won't be here for long, I suspect. Another in a long line of Spurs centre halves who gets absolutely cowed by any striker who goes toe to toe with him.

 

[spurs-r-us]

He is a right sided CB playing on the left

Most CBs are required to do this. Its very rare to have a left footed CB.

 

[Donki]

He is 22 ffs.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

His agent runs his mouth off whenever he doesn't play, and this is how he plays when he gets a consistent chance. Won't be here for long, I suspect. Another in a long line of Spurs centre halves who gets absolutely cowed by any striker who goes toe to toe with him.

I hope the agent keeps his mouth shut now. Was absolutely insane behaviour, and Radu was letting it happen which doesn’t reflect well on him.

 

[Donki]

Most CBs are required to do this. Its very rare to have a left footed CB.

If I recall Verts was left footed? I thought having a left footer at CB was somthing most clubs want?

 

[DannyNZ]

Still young but I’ve not seen much too be excited about. Not great pace, not great with the ball at his feet, not dominant in the air and struggles to hold the offside line. A lot to learn and plenty of areas he needs to improve on.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

He is 22 ffs.

Need to stop sweeping judgements so readily, too.

Had a good few games when VDV got injured: “Wow, looks great, sell Romero, this guy is the one to replace him.”
One bad game and today (everyone bad): “Yep, awful, sell.”

 

[Cornpattbuck]

If I recall Verts was left footed? I thought having a left footer at CB was somthing most clubs want?

Some people can naturally play either side. Other people struggle. I'm always stunned that there's professionals who can't play on both sides though. Seems such an obvious thing to work on through the youth ranks etc.

 

[Donki]

Some people can naturally play either side. Other people struggle. I'm always stunned that there's professionals who can't play on both sides though. Seems such an obvious thing to work on through the youth ranks etc.

True, but it’s somthing that needs to start from a very young age. I always, for what ever reason love watching a naturally left footed player, no idea why. Not overly proud to say it but Giggs is one of my fave players and I just could see a difference on his game. It makes such a difference in timing and build up seeing players play in a position that suits them. I’d say it’s an elite thing being truly equally comfortable on both feet.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

For his own sake & ours, only play him on the right hand side.

 

[Finchyid]

Do Bayern need a CB?

 

[SUIYHA]

A week is a long time in football. After the Villa and City games he was being highly praised, I was even wondering if we should consider playing three at the back in some games when VdV and Romero are back. But make no mistake, the last two games have been disasters from him.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

He doesn’t suit any team who want possession, regardless of their shape, tactics etc. He is so bad on the ball he’d be awful for any of our rivals teams too.

The only way he’s shining is in a low block team where he just defends the box and smashes headers away.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

Wonder who identified him as a target for us

 

[TPdYID]

The only way he’s shining is in a low block team where he just defends the box and smashes headers away.

In which case we might as well have kept Rodon, who does this for Leeds/Wales. I don't remember Rodon's agent being as quick to chirp up either.

 

[Albertbarich]

I loathe to write young players on but right now it’s hard to see how he fits in with our style and intent.

I am in no doubt he will go on to have an exceptional career but I doubt it will be in a team that want to play it out from the back and get on the front foot.

Ironically he would have been perfect for Conte which makes me wonder if he was a long term target that Ange accepted as he has a great attitude.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I just don't agree mate. Telegraphs a lot of his passes, and consistently looks like he would prefer to hoof it as soon as he is closed down.

I think he is solid as a backs-to-the-wall defender. But I doubt he will ever nail down a first team spot with us due to his passing limitations being at odds with our style of play.

Was getting a lot of negative ratings earlier in this thread due to my concerns with Radu's limitations on ball, but it now seems a lot are spotting the same thing.

It's not something you can improve a great deal if you're still struggling at 22. But if we are going to continue our build up play from the back, the coaching staff will need to compensate for his lack of ability by making sure the midfield and full backs provide more passing options.

 

[Reado]

It's hard to judge as he's not really had a run, but playing him on the left in the system we play is just asking for trouble. We know Romero and VDV pass between themselves, then play up towards Porro or Udogie. When the ball comes to VDV, he opens his body up and drives forward because he's left footed. At the game yesterday, every time that pass was made to Radu, his first touch was with his right foot back towards where it came from. Madness to play the same way with a player who can't. If we want to play like that, surely you start Davies at LCB who naturally will take the ball on his left side. We shouldn't give up on him yet but until he plays in a position and system that suits him then he's hard to judge.