Should Mini Cheik bulk up or stay slim?

Mini Cheik is only 18, and looks naturally lean, like Tiote.

Tiote is ripped, but you can tell that he's not naturally stocky.

Some people can naturally put on muscle, and they have a big frame, it's in their genes. Like Lukaku, that big ****er has been massive since he was 16. Did he achieve that just from bench presses? No, he's just naturally a biggun.

Mini Cheik, therefore, couldn't bulk up at an early age.

Does Mini Cheik need strength? He's shown exceptional ability, but do you reckon, since he's a man now, that over the next couple of years, he can put on a bit of bulk?

I don't mean be ripped like Tiote, but like sort of Aguero/Messi build. Not too bulky, but muscle so he can battle against players physically.

He needs to be able to stay quick and agile, but I think maybe adding a bit of muscle on that chest could be useful.

 

bulk up.... think Makelele.

 

Yea I think he definitely needs to bulk up some. If you observe his game, he's just putting a foot or two in, and gets moved too much after he completes a pass and the defender bumps into him. That said, one thing about Tiote and mini-Tiote is their great balance. Some players have horrible balance, but these two have underrated balance. We see Tiote dribbling and we hardly see them tripped up, plus add to that his physical strength and he can turn a free kick in a harmless area( AND STOP WITH THE DAMNED SET PIECES THAT DON'T WORK ), into a counter-attack when the opponents press too high up. Bigi is a more finesse passer than Tiote, but less combative than Tiote. With these 2 in the DM role, I think it may work in a 4-3-3 with Cabaye as the spearhead.

In summary, I think he does need to bulk up, but that said, sometimes players don't necessarily need to overdo it and can be great as well(obvious examples are found in most of the Barca team). Bigi has a lot of potential and I can really see why he won the Apprentice of the Year award...He definitely should be one of the first midfielders mentioned immediately after our starters.

 

What's fantastic about Tiote is he's a rare one, in terms of physical abillity. He has excellent strength AND balance.

Most players have one of the two. Not many players have a lot of strength and great balance.

 

Got a good head on his shoulders too, often thinks a move or two in front of the opposition.

 

He's 18. he's not going to win physical battles with grown ups.

He certainly needs to develop upper body strength. That doesn't necessarilly mean putting on bulk, just increasing his core body strength - - abs and lats don't take up much room, and don't always get larger as they're developped.

 

Steak and milk diet.

I think given his age he may still beef up a bit more naturally. There's a risk of changing a player's build too much as it can mean them having to change their playing style to something they are uncomfortable with.

Bigi's got incredible pace and is great at reading a game, especially considering his age. A little extra muscle would help him hold his ground better but too much and his body may become slower than his brain.

He's not a 'bullyboy' type and I don't feel we should turn him into one, we've got Tiote for that.

 

hope Biggi doesn't get too Biggi.....

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Bigi has all the necessary components to be a star with his current body shape, in my opinion. His passing and work-rate alone make him a very good player. But he would benefit from putting on a couple of stone of muscle as he grows (rather than just heaping it on as quickly as possible) in the long haul (for the premier league anyway). He won't lose speed or even agility really, I mean have you seen 100m runners? They aren't exactly stick thin.

Stamina wise he may suffer, but putting on weight slowly would allow his bones natural progression until they've finished growing. That's why doctors advise young people not to do too much weight-lifting before 21, it can apparently stunt natural development (although that could be one of the old wives tales they tell to get less hernia patients taking up precious beds in hospital).

 

Let nature take its course. The environment they're in usually dictates they become more muscular as they age. He is fine physically at present and seems to cope ok. Patience is important as he is just a kid at 18. He is a long way from his peak. As I say nature/environment will take care of the physical side, he just needs to concentrate on his understanding of the game and the technical side of it for the time being.