Does anyone think that Berbatov has what it takes to be a creative midfield player? He can hold the ball up, pick short passes, beat players and has an excellent footballing brain. Havent seen him make too many long passes as it doesnt need to be part of his game but if he is cable of switching play with accurate long passes how would you feel about him dropping back from a strikers role to somewhere around the middle? I know he is not a long term solution as he has probably only a few more years at this level but it might buy you a couple more seasons before you need to buy someone if the current options arent suitable or too expensive as Snjeider is without doubt a great player but is he what you are looking for? Modric is also a quality player but can he be picked up for the right price? I think it would bring the best out of Berbatov as it would take the pressure off needing to get goals and if he can dictate play from the middle, I certainly think he can, then he would be an option. What do you guys think?
Do you think he really needs pace? What he needs to be able to do is find space which is not something speed is required for. I dont think he is lazy, languid yes, but not lazy. Zidane (not that i am comparing the two) wasnt one of these players that ran himself into the ground but he always had space either by making his own with a bit of skill or just being in the right place at the right time. With a proper DM playing along side him, even if he was a little lazy, would it prevent him from unlocking defences and pushing the ball around the park?
I dont think he would be in the Carrick mold as I cant see him tackling! I was thinking more of the sort of player that finds space and links up play. Think of the Blackburn goal last season where he picked it up deep in his own half and then linked everyone up. Would he be able to do this on a regular basis if he wasnt so worried about getting the goals and playing higher up?
Midfield is a totally different position his qualities at holding the ball up and passing just will not work there. At the moment he is just holding off a center back but in midfield challenges come from all angles so his normal game doesn't work. You have to react quickly in midfield Berba does not react quickly. I get your point but don't think he's a midfielder.
It might work for a team like Chelsea, that plays with such a narrow and rigid midfield that there will always be other players in place to cover for him. But not in a fluid attacking 442 - both CMs will need to do at least some defending and covering in that formation. Zidane never really played in a 442 like we do either.
carrick and berba in midfield together?????no. we need some pace in midfield.pace can get you out of trouble,lack of pace makes it easier for players to mug you off. i like berba,but not in midfield.
It looks to me as though Rooney is already being tried out for a creative midfielder if the end of last season is anything to go by.
Thanks for the thoughts. I was just trying to think of a way to use his undoubted talents as it hasnt really worked out for him up front. I think Rooney can play the role very well but i though you would miss him more up front.
i actually feel sorry for berba,he was treated terribly towards the end of the season.i wonder if he'll play less next season?
I agree and I think that is a safe bet. Not the treatment you would expect of your top scorer. And Nani. Very strange to see Ferguson doing that as he knows what confidence can do for a player. You would have thought he would have pushed them harder. At the end of the season them two were probably deflated.
yeah,fergie really dropped the ball with berbatov and nani.two of the most gifted players in our team,having excellant seasons and then one or two poor performances and theyre dropped for hernandez and valencia for the rest of the season (save where they are played as lone striker,or on the left-positions they clearly dont like). disappointed with fergie on that front,definitely. as for berbatov in midfield...well,he couldnt do much worse than carrick has done over the past season or 2.couldnt see berbatov getting caught out in defence as often as carrick anyway.
I think the only way Berbatov could play in the midfield, is in a 3 man midfield with possibly 2 ball winners/runners, which would allow him the time and space to do his creative bit. Possibly along side Fletcher and Carrick, or Fletcher and Anderson.
