Sakho all the way. He's just better, simple as that. Sakho is more comfortable on the left side of the three, is better on the ball, can command in the air and is a vocal leader. Both can be clumsy in a tackle at times but when he have Skrtel in the centre of the three we have an extra man to cover.
Personally I think Skrtel in the middle of the back three because his fearless and gung ho approach to defending is perfect for dealing with crosses, long shots and slips by the two either side of him. Skrtel is not to scared to jump infront of the ball and block it with any body part (much like Carragher)and he covers the keeper. The amount of last ditch clearances he makes behind Mignolet is impressive. Crosses and high balls in the box were a huge problem for us as a back 4. But have Skrtel there just flying in front of them has helped out a lt.
Any CB who can play the ball out of defence is, imo, a bonus not a prerequisite. It's obviously better to have a defender who defends well but has to make a simple pass to his midfielders (who are there, in part, for that very reason) than one who brings it, or passes it forward well but is weaker in just getting in the way of stuff. It would be great to have both, but if you can't, let them defend first and make the easy pass to the ball players. That's why you have a team, and not a collection of individuals.
I want to see Can in CM. Not only is it his best position but he also brings a physical presence that we do desperately need. A CM pairing of Can and Henderson would give us some real steel in the middle of the park
A conundrum indeed... Could move Can in the middle alongside Hendo but would that be unfair on Allen? Lovern at RCB, Skrtel in the Middle, Sakho at LCB, Lovern on the right side would be more comfortable, getting dropped after being in the side that won away at Southampton and just beat Citeh wouldn't do his confidence any good.. I'd stick with the current back 3 and have Sakho on the bench.. Going OT slightly, the way Lalana played would we drop him for Sturridge or maybe give Sterling a bit of bench time, he's not been stellar of late! Burnley are fighting for their lives, have a lively front pairing and have proven they can go away to the big teams and get a result, treat them with respect otherwise we could come a cropper! Gerrard likely to be on the bench too, he shouldn't start for the time being!
There isn't really a debate to be had here. Lovren has been pants and as of yet, hasn't done enough to warrant a first team place IMO. Allen as been good and deserves his spot. Leave Can alongside Skrtel and Sakho with Allen in middle with Hendo.
I like having a CB that can run in the back 3. Can gives that and Manquillo could to. Manquillo Skrtel Sakho Henderson Can But in a possession game I think Allen is very useful in the middle. Where Can plays can depend on the opponent and type of game.
he might, i reckon we won't see that option until preseason if we do see it. We will see widsom i hope there then too.
To us maybe but if you are putting everything in the line in the heat of it lovern is safe option Only injury would see manquillo at rcb this year as I suspect it's can-lovern-toure-johnson I rodgers mind I think it's an interesting experiment that could increase manquillo a value for sure
Skrtel has to stay in the middle. It's his perfect position when playing a back 3. Personally I'd try putting Lovren and Sakho either side and play Can with Henderson in Midfield. No disrespect to Burnley, but if they are all fit then this should be a good game to try it out. Can is a great passer and defender, but I just feel he could become our new Lucas (but much better) and therefore would be wasted in defense. Imagine a stronger Lucas, that can pass better and can make charging runs from a DM position - exactly what we need, and everyone on here has been crying out for, for years!!! I guess in a way it's a shame he's playing so well in his current position
