Post#363 » by Man of Steel » Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:02 pm
Their percentage of successful dribbles is a more accurate gauge of dribbling ability than the number of times they get fouled, and while Hazard's 12% on James is solid, James' increased average pass length fits a counter oriented team better. Not to mention their pass completion is almost identical, and James attempts slightly more passes.
Ronaldo stopped averaging a goal a game when James was out- in fact, he had probably his worst stretch of games at the club over that period. Not saying James makes Ronaldo, but James has clearly been a boost to his performance this season, and easily our best playmaker even ahead of Modric and Kroos. Ronaldo literally adapted better to losing Ozil and Di Maria; now you can chalk that up to his personal issues, but James' absence certainly played a part, and that is only accentuated by their link up play with him returned to the XI. Enjoy Hazard though, he's a joy to watch. Like I said, I'm good with our players.
Guys like Illarramendi and Khedira are on their way out almost surely, whilst Lucas Silva may be sent out on loan to make way for a returning Casemiro (only got so many non-EU spots). Reports are saying we'll fill the DM hole with Verratti, which is interesting, but then at least one of the group of Kroos, Isco, Modric, James, and Verratti would sit every game. Those are all players with world class ability or potential, so that's another headache to sort. Carlo could definitely get the best out of Verratti, who would be more suited to Kroos' position, but again that only works when Modric starts to age out. There's strong consideration of making Hernandez' move permanent as well, with a reported 10M fee being a decent price for him at this level of performance.
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