Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre (AKA Suso)

[saj]

Tbh Saj it depend what system we use. But most players in the premier league have to know how to defend. If he can't do the basics then they have to be learnt. It's okay comparing us to Barcelona, but they don't have to play in the premier league every week, it takes it's toll on the body and mind. Probably why most premier league players have little impact on the world cup.

As for Arsenal, everyone knows why they always usually fail - they can't deal with tough teams away from home and generally get bullied by the bigger teams. Maybe that will change this year.

The Barca point you have made is good a good one. But their recent dominance began with Guardiola (this is from an interview he did on TV) making sure that his team was physically and technically good so this does reinforce your point. Arsenal have improved vastly this year as they have become more physical - namely players such as Song and even Wilshire. Add to that Fabregas isn't a wimp either.

Utimately, you do not need 11 players that are physical. Goalkeepers, central defenders, holding midfielders need to be. But you need flair players around these physical players to break down the extremely ****e teams that sit back and defend. Example is Kuyt - plays well against good teams where we need to be physical but generally has a mare against poor teams where he needs to more attacking than defending. My opinion on a player such as Suso is that why focus on developing his defending skills? Instead focus on his strengths and make him even more technically gifted. As he gets holder, he will get stronger and naturally get better at defending. That is my opinion on developing players - let the defenders defend and let the attackers attack.

[G]

the lad has skills.

Sadly He's unlikely to use them in the first team since we dont need good passers in the midfield.Their only job is to try spot the ball as it flies over their heads heading for Nando

[el matador]

the lad has skills.

Sadly He's unlikely to use them in the first team since we dont need good passers in the midfield.Their only job is to try spot the ball as it flies over their heads heading for Nando

wont be like that forever.

hopefully the new manager will appreciate players with ability and dazzling talent like suso.

[saj]

wont be like that forever.

hopefully the new manager will appreciate players with ability and dazzling talent like suso.

That's the dream and I'm praying Commoli and FSG will acknowledge this is the way forward and appoint a manager who can do this.

[Exiled_red]

In terms of improvement, not much really. He's not played football at a high level such as reserve as he first came to us when he was 15/16. He just needs to play more games. He is so damn raw, I'm pretty certain he's not even played for Spain at any level - it's almost as if they've picked him up off the streets! I'd say the only thing he would struggle with is the pace of the premier league and I suppose by training with the first team, this could help him to adapt.

He's small and lightweight but he can handle himself quite well. I highly doubt you will ever see him flying into 50/50's like Jay Spearing would. But when he played against Newcastle reserves, they were pretty physical but they couldn't knock him off the ball or in fact get near him as he is that skillful. He uses his body quite well to shield the ball and this what make him such a special talent and separates him from players such as Dani Pacheco. He will never need to be physical IMO to succeed but as he gets older, he very likely will get taller/bigger/stronger.

Thanks

[DannyMan2006]

That's the dream and I'm praying Commoli and FSG will acknowledge this is the way forward and appoint a manager who can do this.

I think one of the Youth coaches said it perfectly tbh. We need to find our own style. We can't just copy Barca due to the differences in culture, but we can't just develop big strong lads with zero technique either.

I think we''re on the right track, and this will be reinforced by the next managerial appointment IMO.