Bought as a natural centre midfielder since we acquired his services he has filled in as part of a back three in a makeshift defence putting in several star-turns. He might not be an exact replica of Gerrard or a ready-made replacement but he can be an extremely prominent and influential player in a reconfigured midfield next season if pushed forward. The fact that he adapted so quickly to both the Premier League and an unfamiliar position in a new team points to him as a major talent. As well as his defensive strengths we've also seen glimmers of his terminator-like runs going forward, not super-fast but relentless, graceful and strong - when the opportunity has been there this season just gone, so in a more advanced role we would get the best outta both sides of him. Alternatively we could try and convert him into a full time wide centre back role where he is able to drive forward out of a defensive back three and similarly exploit the defensive and attacking sides of his game. He is an incredibly versatile player and this forms part of the problem with how to develop him and use his talents and qualities within the side. I guess the question is stick or twist?? Will this player's obvious talents be best served by continuity or change?? Maybe pushing him into midfield would be too restrictive and traditional a role, capping his abilities, but as it's where he seemingly wants to play and is used to playing perhaps it will be liberating after taking one for the team in moving back (being willing to adapt for the sake of the team being another important attribute). Or maybe he can make the defensive role he has been playing this season completely his own and redefine it. In many ways this season has been a bit of a defining one for Can, next season could be the same but also about refining.
Think he's a massive talent and perfect to play either in a 2 man midfield alongside a DM, or play as a CM. Unlike most in our team, he doesn't shirk responsibility and he's willing to grab the bull by the horns and make things happen. He can also carry the ball 20-30 yards and help drive the team. Captain in the making.
Change, change, change He's not a centre back (even though no-one can complain about the job he's done as a stand in....he's been no worse than any of the others). I said last night IF we can strengthen at the back we automatically strengthen the midfield by moving Can into the middle of the park. Unfortunately I'm not sure many at Anfield at the moment would know a top class centre back from a rusty old tin opener.
Fixed (a bit). I don't think a back three will be way forward, and he's proven liable at RB (see Sunday for example), but so I think midfield is where he'll be (hopefully).
For me the answer here is quite obvious. where did he play for his old club? midfield and defence he played for leverkusen in midfield v utd in champions league. my strong view is he's had his sighter season and has done reasonably well given the positions he was asked to play he should be the DM next year and for me i'd go and get another beside him. in fact if i were manager i'd be strongly thinking about 4-2-3-1 like this Mingolet Wisdom Skertl Sahko moreno Henderson Can Ibe Coutinho lallana Lambert the fact that we went out and didn't do something like this shows rodgers has no clue. why wisdom was left to rot under pulis and not recalled is ****ing beyond me. we need to get real and admit that while running about headlessly is henderson's best attribute a real cm like mascherano could do that and defend properly. he is just not that technically good so screen that back line henderson and work... if only we had better players.
Pretty much this. However, whilst I have been very harsh on Henderson, it will be good to see how he performs without Gerrard next to him, and without having to do his donkey work. I think it could be liberating. But we can't have a midfield two of Henderson and Can - both have similar attacking instincts, and both need to be compliments with a DM.
he thinks he can take frees FFS. if maschernao and alonso were part of "best midfield in world" but then we can say oh henderson and can should not play like them its kind of amazing really. I'd be telling both... get the **** back and screen and get on with it. attacking instincts be damned.. the best i've seen henderson play for lfc is actually deeper where he got time to actually look up and pass. he is average enough in the attacking third. his best attribute is energetic pressing
I you are playing every player in their best position: some positions are going to be left unfilled especially as a result of injuries. Players should learn to play in other positions as emergency cover. Note: I am not saying Can should be played out of position.
I rather have Can alongside a DM - it would provide plenty of protection for the back 4 as well as much needed physicality. If it was a straight choice between Hendo and Can, there is only one winner ...
I do worry that everyone has piled the hype already on to the poor lad. He's looked average at CB and dire at RB - I'll give him the benefit of the doubt as those aren't his natural positions. Bar a few marauding, but fruitless, midfield surges though nothing about his game has said to me that he will be the next Alonso/midfield general for the foreseable future. Young kid with a bit of potential, yes, the next hottest talent to light up the league? not so sure.
Can got a game against Chelsea at Anfield and did well the only issue is early on he was struggling to keep up with play and always seemed knackered after 10 mins. He got dropped afterwards only to come back at RCB in the 343 formation. He has potential but unless Rodgers gives him a run out in the middle consistently all he is right now is POTENTIAL.
@RedLadSonofAnfield First things first... please log in to view this image Now, on to the OP... Can is not a defender. I think he struggles at RB and he's certainly not a CB but RCB in a three did seemt o suit him for a while. However, he is a CM imo, more prominently a box-to-box CM. I want us to sign Milner and let him, Can and Hendo fight it out for the two B2B roles in the side (DM just behind the two) with Allen as fourth choice.
Yes, Can is not a defender, but a good footballer must know the basic of defending, Suarez not a defender sometime he does defend very well, credit to Raheem Sterling too I have seen him defending too.
Defending from the front is far different to defending at the back. When defending from the front, you mainly press and try and close the player and close space. When defending from the back, you're defending against players running at you.
I'd say defending from the front is not letting the opposition have time to pick a pass and therefore making them more likely to make a mistake (aka pressing so we're in agreement) And defending your space. You don't have to always win the ball to be a good defender. You have your position which gives you an area of the pitch to protect, you should always protecting your goals and attempting to stop a player getting passed you but you also don't want players going into certain areas. For example, if playing RB against a prominently left footed winger, you don't want to let them go down the line to get a cross in, but if the winger is right footed you show them down the line.
