It's kind of like comparing apples and oranges. If Real were in the PL they would be playing a different style of football and would probably have a few different types of player, but the core of that team are world class and would up there with the top 4 in the PL
I disagree with the MLS midfield talk. Surely he's doing EXACTLY what you would want from an Inverted LB? Sure he can play as an eight - but is he better than Rice there?.. no not chance. As a LB he has a chance of starting for us and England - and will continue to grew into the position. He's 19 imagine how good he will be if he keeps this up for the next 5-6 years? Look at what he's done against City, Real and Atletico in that position. He gets a lot of freedom in the role - he doesn't need to go into midfield.
I think they would be mid table - somewhere between 8th and 12th. Over time of course they would adapt - they have the finances to - but they are used to playing really easy games most weeks and in the CL they have the opportunity to pretty much focus on it because the league is so easy for them. Fresh players, plenty of time to prepare.
Real Madrid would finish 8th - 12th in the Premier League???! Sorry Jay, you know I love you pal, but this is crazy talk . They literally won a league and Champions League double less than 2 years ago. They are the biggest club in the world. And even though their current team isn't as good, they still have a top coach (Alonso) and some extremely gifted players. Courtois, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, Trent, Valverde, Bellingham, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Tchouamaeni, Guler, Ascencio, Carreras, Huijsen, Mastantuono... These are all top quality players. A lot of those I'd take at Arsenal for sure. It's beyond ludicrous to say they'd finish between 8th - 12th in the Prem!
Haha. To each their own! I don't rate many of those players as top quality. The Champions league is a cup competition. Its a very low quality tournament until the last 16. Real Madrid can plan their whole season around a handful of games because their league is so easy. Makes it far easier for them than any PL club who have come through tough seasons by the time the last 16 in the CL comes round. The Spanish league is so bad Madrid can simply turn up each week and qualify for the CL and will win the title multiple times by default. You put THAT team in a PL grind over a full year - nah. Not having it.
The whole thing is hypothetical, if we are looking at the quality of a team/form, this iteration of Real Madrid would struggle were they to have to play the top English teams, that said, none of the English teams were any good last season either, hence why I think its worthy of discussion. This iteration of Real Madrid would struggle just as all the top teams in England have been struggling. We have looked good this season admittedly.
He gets caught out of position a lot at LB and commits stupid fouls as a result. His attributes suit a CM, he is strong on the ball, not uncomfortable receiving the ball when tightly marked, keeps possession of the ball well, can burst through the lines, plays the right pass. He might not be better than Rice but I can't say anyone else is a better CM than him from our squad.
8th to 12th ? Jay you are tripping bro ! Top 6 for sure, for me its 50/50 that they would make top 4.
Who would you take ? Mbappe of course, Vinicius Jr yes, Tchouamenii not sure, none of the others do it for me.
Courtois is one of the best GKs in the world. Raya is top class too and I don't think there's a chasm between them, but it's close. I think both Rodrygo and Vini are better than Martinelli/Trossard. Bellingham is a top class CM and an injury plagued season shouldn't disguise that. I'd take him too. Camavinga I rate very highly and wanted him for a while. I'd take him. Trent is a world class line breaker and passer, I'd absolutely take him. Guler wouldn't start, but he's a prodigious talent and has an eye for goal. Plus, has great set piece ability - and that's good for us! Huijsen again wouldn't start, but he's a huge talent at CB (though I am a big Mosquera fan). Mastantuono is one of the highest rated South American talents in the world and was coveted by all the big clubs, again, wouldn't start for us, but has supreme potential and would definitely take him to future-proof our attack. So yeah, quite a lot of them I rate highly and would do well for us IMO even if they don't walk into the starting XI.
Mbappe - yes i rate him, but he's not anywhere near as good as his rep Vini Jr - yes rate him but again I would not place him above what we have Tchouameni i do rate and would take him I am not sure i would take any of them - or any of the others - in our first team.
I think your too hung up on the fact he's playing at LB - but in truth the LB in our team is not a traditional LB role at all. The role suits him perfectly IMO.
Do you not think he looks vulnerable as LB - or do you think that is more to do with the fact he inverts as part of the system and any player would look vulnerable at time in that role?
I think he's still gonna have to improve defensively. But I think as with Calafiori - he's been encouraged to rampage forward as Timber, Gabriel and Saliba are soo solid. The more games he has the better he will be able to read when to go and when to stay.
