Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre (AKA Suso)

[saj]

Of course he does, thats why Carragher and Gerrard wanted him imo.

Well, Andreas Simon said the same thing that Roy gave the foreign younger players the cold shoulder. I don't how credible this comment is - maybe he's just bitter. He wasn't a very good player anyway.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Why would he give the foreigners the cokd shoulder? He's spent most of his 35 years of experience in foreign lands,no?

[DannyMan2006]

@ Saj

I'm no insider at our club, so what I say is just opinion and possibilities. But there is a high chance they are playing him deeper so he can work on the defensive aspects of his game. That's what they tend to do with younger players. Ajax in particular are famed for playing young lads all over the pitch so they can get s better feel and understanding of the game.

I remember hearing of one young lad that was dropped to the back at LFC so he would appreciate more what his team mates were doing. The name escapes me but this type of thing is not un common. Such drastic switches tend to happen more at U18 levels though as opposed to reserve levels. If there character is so lacking at a later age, they're booted out.

[Fernandinho]

Very true Danny. Especially for the CM's/CB's who are swapped around to gain experience in tackling or passing more.

[Daniel 7]

@ Saj

I'm no insider at our club, so what I say is just opinion and possibilities. But there is a high chance they are playing him deeper so he can work on the defensive aspects of his game. That's what they tend to do with younger players. Ajax in particular are famed for playing young lads all over the pitch so they can get s better feel and understanding of the game.

I remember hearing of one young lad that was dropped to the back at LFC so he would appreciate more what his team mates were doing. The name escapes me but this type of thing is not un common. Such drastic switches tend to happen more at U18 levels though as opposed to reserve levels. If there character is so lacking at a later age, they're booted out.

Steven Gerrard played right back breaking into the first team.

That video of him looks a bit special though. Some vision on him. Amazing prospect.

[cream]

On a side note, whats happened to Paheho?

[Exiled_red]

His passing is already on par with Alonso's although he is very much one footed. If he does ever step up and become a first team regular, he will be like Fabregas and probably get 15/20 assists a season. He's very far off the first team though - the last few games he has played he's actually been anonymous. But I think that's down to the fact they have got him playing in a more deeper defensive position which is typical of how ****e this country is at nurturing technically gifted players.

Forgive me I haven't seen much of him, so what aspects of his game need to improve if he is such a good passer of the ball, and has good vision and awareness, but is still very far from being ready for the first team. I'm guessing he's small and light weight and will have difficulty with the physical nature of the Premiership? Is there anything else?

[Mattshark]

On a side note, whats happened to Paheho?

When he is played, he is constantly played out of position and far too deep.

[el matador]

most attacking players only think that the game starts when the ball reaches the attacking third.

by playing attacking players in midfield or further back, it helps then understand how the game is developed from the back and how the game should be played.

The game doesnt start when attackers get the ball but when the goalie or defenders get it. He'll be a much better all round player for it.

[Arn]

Well, Andreas Simon said the same thing that Roy gave the foreign younger players the cold shoulder. I don't how credible this comment is - maybe he's just bitter. He wasn't a very good player anyway.

He wasn't the first young player that left the last few months that said the same thing.

[Vermilion]

http://www.footylounge.com/films//mi...aa1c91d6c.html


Another MKKB video. This one has some good highlights of Suso's excellent passing game.

Was pretty slow to load for me so you might want to start it then pause it and come back it it after a while...

Thanks. Some sublime stuff there from the kid, passes Xabi would have been proud of..or any player come to that.

He's none to shoddy moving with the ball at his feet either, holds himself well, good balance and a tricky little customer by the looks of him, plenty of vision in his game already too.

[saj]

@ Saj

I'm no insider at our club, so what I say is just opinion and possibilities. But there is a high chance they are playing him deeper so he can work on the defensive aspects of his game. That's what they tend to do with younger players. Ajax in particular are famed for playing young lads all over the pitch so they can get s better feel and understanding of the game.

I remember hearing of one young lad that was dropped to the back at LFC so he would appreciate more what his team mates were doing. The name escapes me but this type of thing is not un common. Such drastic switches tend to happen more at U18 levels though as opposed to reserve levels. If there character is so lacking at a later age, they're booted out.

That is the exact reason why they are doing it. But it's square pegs/round holes IMO. Arsenal don't do it and Barcelona do it. The youth teams of both teams play in exactly the same way as the first team and the players play in their positions and look at the success they are having with first team players coming from their youth/reserve teams. Play the youth players to their strengths and they will be more effective - strength, speed and power will come with age. Look at Fabregas. In fact Cristiano Ronaldo was never asked to play right back/or learn how to play defensively and he's turned to be a pretty special player. This is the exact reason the England are suffering and producing practically no flair players - they're taught to focus on the defense side of things as opposed to technical and look how **** England are compared to Spain.

[saj]

Forgive me I haven't seen much of him, so what aspects of his game need to improve if he is such a good passer of the ball, and has good vision and awareness, but is still very far from being ready for the first team. I'm guessing he's small and light weight and will have difficulty with the physical nature of the Premiership? Is there anything else?

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.

[saj]

I remember hearing of one young lad that was dropped to the back at LFC so he would appreciate more what his team mates were doing. The name escapes me but this type of thing is not un common. Such drastic switches tend to happen more at U18 levels though as opposed to reserve levels. If there character is so lacking at a later age, they're booted out.

They've done it with countless players: Andre Wisdom, Irwin, Pacheco, Bruna - the list is endless.

[DannyMan2006]

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.