
Originally Posted by
Perseus
Clubs understandably do not want to get rid of their best midfielders. Target missed was Thomas Delaney, who went to Borussia Dortmund, but even he would not enable a 4-3-3, but just be better on the left hand side in a 4-4-1-1.
Current:
Dale Stephens has not adapted to the Premier League as well as expected and has done better.
Davy Pröpper has lost possession too much in some games this season.
Yves Bissouma grabbed his chance better than Alireza Jahanbakhsh against Southampton in the League Cup
Pascal Groß covers a lot of ground, but sees his goal attempts saved. (not one of the central pair midfielders)
Beram Kayal can hold his own until it comes to goalscoring.
Sixth (for 4-3-3) midfielder: missing.
Dale Stephens is the best prospect, but falls short of top six competiveness through lack of speed and technical shortcomings, but most of all through lack of support of bodies in midfield. i.e. he would show better with a heavyweight partner in the middle, or drop a winger and have an extra body to make up the numbers.
I don't think CH is overly defensive compared to the other 13. Playing two wingers is not. Lack of numbers in the middle makes for longer passes. Passing and possosession ended up middle of the table last season.
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