Emre Can

[Keyser Soze]

Can's one of my favourites but i do think he could do with losing a bit of weight or certainly working on his fitness, he was blowin out of his arse after 20 mins.

[Shaggy]

Yeah there's something not quite right.

He was absolutely magnificent as a right sided CB in a three. In midfield he really hasn't looked particularly good so far. I like him a lot but he needs to improve.

[danperkins]

Jack of all trades, master of none. I don't think Rodgers has found out exactly what Can is.

[G]

He showed everything I was worried about before the Arsenal game only he showed it today. He just doesn't seem very mobile and has never been great consistently in his actual position.

[Fredo]

Probably why he should be coached into a disciplined deep lying midfielder. Not sure Rodgers knows which of his talents would suit our game though. He'll try him in every position until the lads confidence is shot.

[Exiled_red]

Jack of all trades, master of none. I don't think Rodgers has found out exactly what Can is.

The first bit sounds harsh but I know what you mean, I get the feeling that he is going to be a good player but I don't know where he will play, he isn't a DM as some have been touting him but he isn't an attacking midfielder, it is hard to see at the moment what he offer that can't be provided by our other midfielders.

[Exiled_red]

He showed everything I was worried about before the Arsenal game only he showed it today. He just doesn't seem very mobile and has never been great consistently in his actual position.

What is his actual position centre mid obviously but what role?

[G]

I don't know . I was just referring to him being a midfielder yet not having looked very good there too often for us.

He's still very young though and I like him. He just needs to make his mark in one area and make it has own.

[danperkins]

The first bit sounds harsh but I know what you mean, I get the feeling that he is going to be a good player but I don't know where he will play, he isn't a DM as some have been touting him but he isn't an attacking midfielder, it is hard to see at the moment what he offer that can't be provided by our other midfielders.

it does sound harsh but it's the truth IMO, I do like Can as a player. Good player no doubts but what is he? A defensive midfielder? A holding midfielder? A box to box midfielder? A Right sided CB? **** knows and Rodgers certainly doesn't.

[Rich]

Shelvey would be better in our midfield than Big Emre right now.

[Exiled_red]

it does sound harsh but it's the truth IMO, I do like Can as a player. Good player no doubts but what is he? A defensive midfielder? A holding midfielder? A box to box midfielder? A Right sided CB? **** knows and Rodgers certainly doesn't.

I think there is something odd going on in our midfield at the moment, for me Henderson, Milner, Can and Lucas are all good players but I am not sure that any combination of two or three of them gives us what we need in terms of balance - at least in the roles we have been trying to play them this year.

Lucas is the only one who seems to have a defined role, Henderson's role seems to have changed to a more deeper lying role where we have lost his energy, Milner works hard but I'm not sure we are getting the most out of him either and no-one knows what Can's role is. It almost seems like we send them out with the instructions of 'just figure it out amongst yourselves'. Yesterday it felt like we had about 7 players on the pitch and watching MOTD it looked like no-one was sure what they were doing, there were two players doing one thing and nobody doing something else.

[danperkins]

I think there is something odd going on in our midfield at the moment, for me Henderson, Milner, Can and Lucas are all good players but I am not sure that any combination of two or three of them gives us what we need in terms of balance - at least in the roles we have been trying to play them this year.

Lucas is the only one who seems to have a defined role, Henderson's role seems to have changed to a more deeper lying role where we have lost his energy, Milner works hard but I'm not sure we are getting the most out of him either and no-one knows what Can's role is. It almost seems like we send them out with the instructions of 'just figure it out amongst yourselves'. Yesterday it felt like we had about 7 players on the pitch and watching MOTD it looked like no-one was sure what they were doing, there were two players doing one thing and nobody doing something else.

absolutely.

Initially I thought yeah we have alot of options in our midfield but looking at it now the balance is all over the place. Too many players playing similar roles that are not their natural game. As you said Lucas is the only player that has a specific role. If we the fans can see it, any manager worth their salt would pick that midfield apart.... Bilic certainly did.

As regards Can, I like him but I just don't know if their is a position in our team under Rodgers for a box to box midfielder. At least that what I think he is.

[kubrickscube]

How and where do Germany play Can?

[Corndog]

Centre midfield.

He has filled in at centre back for the u21s before but he usually captains them from the centre. Loew said he saw him as a defensive mid who can also play right back in his press conference the other day.

This whole 'What is his best position' argument is being blown out of proportion.
Before Can signed for LFC he was always recognised as a central midfielder. That's where he made his debut for Bayern aged 17 and where he played predominantly for Leverkusen although he did fill in a few positions in the backline when the teams first choices were not unavailable.

His versatility has just made him the fallback utility option for some managers i.e Rodgers last season when he had to change the formation to the unplanned back three.

I think of the roles in midfield he sees himself as being the one that sits deeper and dictates the tempo. Although unlike your Alonsos/Pirlos he will occasionally bomb forward on a run.

He still has not actually had a lot of a chance to play this role due to hendersons injury and Lucas' re-introduction to the team.

[kubrickscube]

Thank you for your well written and informative reply. Cheers