I started this post as a defense of the fit of Dibling but it morphed into too much of an overall tactical outline. I tried to pare it back but excuse the length.My only concern is I don’t think Dibling looks like a wide player. He looks more of a CAM or inside forward. Massive talent though.
In short, I think Dibling is a great profile for the RW position. We have people here arguing for RW as the most important signing of the window and others arguing the same for LW because we are asking so much of these positions that we do not have anyone that currently meets the requirements, although there is hope that some grow into it. We are asking each to be top four standard at contributing goals and creating chances with individual skill, while also being premier league standard at providing a hold up outlet and defensive contributions. There are simply not many in the world that can do all of this and we are asking for two (three really) in our squad.
Johnson provides the goals but has the fanbase after him because he is not creating and doesn’t provide the defensive contribution. Son the same. Werner tries to create but fails in the other metrics. All of them cough the ball up way too easily and often. With the way we like to set up, this inability to hold on to possession has been catastrophic. I point to that as well as not having numbers back on the opposite side of the ball when the opponent breaks as being the two biggest reasons we have been defensively fragile.
At the same time, we appear lacking ideas when attacking against a set defense as we are usually relying on either Kulusevski or Maddison to create something on their own. It frustrates me when people on here start talking about an ideal spot being taken by either of these two as their roles and positions are so drastically different but they get lumped together as they are currently the only regulars (Solanke excluded) who have the technical ability to work the ball into dangerous positions. We have been lulled by years of athletic runners only to think that this isn’t a trait most of our attackers should have.
It’s a trait that is amplified when surrounded by others who share it and I think that has shown when we have seen Kulusevski, Maddison, and Solanke all interworking. On the other hand, when we see Maddison get dropped and Solanke isolated, Deki’s form drops precipitously as he constantly loses the ball trying to do it all on his own.
Going back to the attacker profile we are looking for I think it is much more realistic to look for two separate profiles, matching Deki on the right and a prime Son on the left. Have the right side stop the defensive leakiness by being another reliable press proof outlet that can provide security and then work with a traditional overlapping wingback to link to the attack. The left can then be augmented by the Maddison style attacking mid who takes over the creative aspects. The forward here would be asked to contribute in the box; beat a man and get a cross or shot off.
We’ve seen this approach on the left a few times the season with varied results. Too often that space with interchanging Maddison and Son out wide has a left back running into it and ruining spacing/angles. When this lb role is played as we have seen Van de Ven or Davies play it works much cleaner, still pushing through lines from the back but stopping outside the box rather than getting to the end line like Udogie is asked. That also solidifies the back in transition. Keeping a third LB/CB hybrid back allows three at the back in transition to help with us overloading the ball side and then asking Porro to cover numbers at the back post as he is sprinting back.
With all of that said, I think Dibling is the perfect compliment to that Kulusevski RWF role in the summer as well as another CF that can be trusted to spell Solanke when needed. What I think is needed immediately is the LF which is not a style generally available in January. If RKM can fill in there and CF for the second half it would do the club a lot of good, but I would be very hesitant for any obligation because he’s a more of a square peg and of all the squad needs, this is the one that needs to be the perfect fit for style and talent. We have plenty of potential to grow into this role long term but need someone that fits the need precisely and is immediately ready to contribute.