I have been watching this two Spanish lads with interest and am really impressed by the business we have done so far. The fact that they are just 20 and 21 yrs respectively gives me hope we have found two very good players to build a good defence on. Of the two I think Manquillo is more impressive IMO given the fact that he has hardly played enough senior games. His most impressive aspects in his game is his defensive heading and cross stopping ability. The number of times he gets an interception is brilliant and this is my main gripe with Johnson. He also seems to be slowly improving on his attacking game. Moreno on the other hand I believe is not the best defender but his ability to play as a wing back is his greatest strength. They say the best form of defence is attack. He is being targeted for his diminutive frame and is struggling to stop crosses. With his pace, he should roasting the oppositions right back to that it forces the opposing team to rethink targeting him. His crossing is brilliant and we should be utilizing his strengths more when Sturridge returns. Thoughts?
I think rodgers didn't expect to play manquillo this much at all and its a bit of a baptism of fire... in fact being generous to flanagan manquillo is not any better going forward and then to be critical neither are much good really going forward! Rodgers intent was to play johnson and this kid was a hopeful loan to view deal. He might look a bargain but he could end up back at atletico after 12 months as the fee is now looking too small. If they pull him back they can sell him elsewhere for twice what we've agreed. I think we need to work partnerships here. Moreno needs a settled LCB beside him and a settled LW in front of him.. ie sterling. that will offer real threat. I expect rodgers to drop manquillo for johnson which i feel is harsh but in fairness its rodgers not me wanting it.
I don't know, I think Manquillo has done exactly what is expected of a RB, he doesn't get dispossessed like GJ always does, he doesn't dwell on the ball, he can run and he also has a superb cross on him. Not bad for a player we took a punt on and who played 7 games for atletico last year
a conventional one yes but moren is much more of a new style full back. coleman and baines are two top full backs. alba at barca, lahm... there's many many guys you could name. manquillo is closest to arbeloa for me is we wanted a comparison. he's limited. In fairness to johnson (in his day lol) he could run lateral and shoot off left, try to beat a man and overlap. I see a lot of ball retention form both flanagan and manquillo (back passing ) but I'm not seeing that much really dangerous play... nor is he a superb crosser... he's decent no question but superb? thats an awfully high accolade to be handing out to him surely? I think he's young raw and learning but i don't think he's all that going forward.
Superb? Who suggested that lol. Let's remember he's 20, Baines and Lahm are old codgers. So it's not fair to compare
Baines is 29............. As for the OP, I was quite impressed with Manquillo on Saturday, albeit we didn't test him that much. Moreno looks lively coming forwards but not overly secure defensively, both very young though
I'v really enjoyed enjoyed watching them and hope they are with us for years to come. They are not the best all round defenders but they are very young and still ahead of their years. They give us a new dimension when going forward.
He's the best defender and the most composed on the ball. But I like Manquillo running better. It depends on the opponent.
Manquillo's crossing has definitely improved already imo. He's not as good as Moreno with the ball at feet, but he can cross very well and is defensively solid. Moreno is ok defensively and has the pace to get back, but his attacking with the ball on the deck is much better. Flanno's crossing isn't great, but he's a better defender than those two. Enrique, I think, is still our best FB when he's fit and playing well and I really hope he can get back to that form. Johnson is just ****. Horses for courses really.
Enrique is clearly fit. He was great against Boro. But Rodgers clearly prefers Moreno. Its a stylistic thing I think.
I don't think he's at full fitness yet. He'd been out for a long time and hasn't had much game time. Moreno is Rodgers' long term pick (and a great one too!) but will rotate with Enrique this season I think. As you said, maybe Enrique against tougher opponents as he's better defensively and Moreno to open and stretch teams more. Good choices to have really.
also my comment re those are examples of top contemporary full backs which is what everyone should want. everton have the best two in the league. chelsea and city don't even have as good as that. i compared manquillo to arbeloa, for me he's a conventional old school type rather than the contemporary main width providing player.
His crossing is good MITO. The issue is how many bodies we have in the box. The moment we have sturridge playing is when his quality will shine. On Moreno, he is a bit bothered on the physical battle. It's a case of standing up to the bully but if he focused more on cutting out crosses the fewer goals we will concede. Majority of the goals seem to be coming from both he and Lovern's side. City, Westham and Villa all got more joy from our left side. There is a reason why Flannagan looked good. He is first a very good defender then second a full back who can offer more going forward.
For £12m, we've got 2 full backs who could cement their respective positions for the next decade. Fresh of breath air to have two full backs who actually attempt to stop crosses from coming into the box. Manquillo has been our best and most consistent defender this season. Moreno is rash but has great recovery pace and reads danger well. I agree with MITO - I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson comes straight back into the first team because that's what Rodgers does and he has his favourites. As for Flanno - there is no way he should be displacing either of the current full backs,
For £12m, we've got 2 full backs who could cement their respective positions for the next decade. Fresh of breath air to have two full backs who actually attempt to stop crosses from coming into the box. Manquillo has been our best and most consistent defender this season. Moreno is rash but has great recovery pace and reads danger well. I agree with MITO - I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson comes straight back into the first team because that's what Rodgers does and he has his favourites. As for Flanno - there is no way he should be displacing either of the current full backs,
No we haven't. We just got Moreno, Mankiller is on loan. Doesn't matter though as your last sentence is horse ****...Moreno and Flanno are the future
