• lostinmcdonalds@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Minor pet peeve (very minor), but centre backs are not ‘centre-halves’! A centre-half (in the old 235 formations from 100 years ago) was a midfielder while what we would now call ‘centre-backs’ were full-backs as they were, ya know, fully back

    My crusade will not end until we stop using it

    • NostawnomiS@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I remember in Sunday league as a young teen being asked to play out of position as a centre half, and I played the match as a defensive midfielder. I remember a couple years later looking back and wondering what the hell happened, was I stupid and misunderstood the manager’s request, and nobody bothered to correct me?

  • Maud_Ford@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    On current form he’s the best CB in the league. Better than Saliba and Dias and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees.

    • GarfieldDaCat@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      I mean, that’s not really the hot take you think it is lol. Dias isn’t great with the ball. Not bad, but “just” above average.

      And Saliba, while a fantastic player in his own right, doesn’t have quite the domineering physical presence that VVD has. VVD has one of the best physical profiles for a CB in the history of the sport.

  • notvip@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Maybe I am wrong but it feels like the auba,Ozil situation at Arsenal . Plays very good , gets a huge contract and relax.

    • R_Schuhart@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      It is nothing alike. Van Dijk has never ever been criticized for his lack of motivation or work ethic, nor has his character or behaviour ever been problematic. He is a leader and a serious professional, if anything he comes across as too serious at times.

      Besides, the situation at the clubs is also totally different. Liverpool are stable and in the position the be consistently competing. Van Dijk is on top of his game and fits right into that plan, unlike Ozil and Auba who were past their peak and coasting.

      • Lyrical_Forklift@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        While I agree with you completely, it’s quite funny that the reason a lot of big clubs avoided moving for him earlier, despite his immense talent, was a belief that he was lazy and unmotivated due to his languid style.

  • mmmmmsandwiches@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I was told by multiple people on this sub that he would never be the same after the acl injury and that acl injuries are career killers. People just don’t understand how far medical science has come and how incredible van Dijk is

  • MrGraveyards@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He’s also playing better in the NT. Dares to play it forward more and those fantastic long balls to the wingers are sharper. Some defensive work clearly looks better as well.