Arbeloa’s men reach the top of the table. In a season where Real Madrid continue to flatter to deceive, Los Blancos have finished the weekend at the to of the league. This makes it an actual title race though many would be hard pressed to declare this team has the stomach for the fight.
Winning always feels good but this season it brings just as many questions as losses generally do. We won without Vini and Jude. We won without Kylian and Jude.
Vini and Gonzalo have a far better balance than Kylian and Gonzalo given that Vini and Gonzalo naturally give each other space to operate. Kylian tends to take up too much space and not to mention, it forces Gonzalo into a creator instead of a CF.
This doesn’t say anything about the quality of the players themselves. Only a fool would question their quality. What it does bring us are questions about balance when everyone is fit.
Fede and Trent Concoction
Fede and Trent seems the ultimate solution on the right sid. I am one who genuinely doesn’t rate Fede’s technical ability higher than his peers in the squad in midfield and yet, the superb balance he brings when paired with Trent makes his inclusion in midfield irresistible.
This leaves room for Jude and then.. The abstract art begins.
Fumbling Out the Wet Paper Bag
The CB pairs bring more questions than answers and while the midfield faucet is generally to blame, there’s very little one can take in the way of confidence regarding the defence. It isn’t obvious that this is due to a lack of quality. There’s more than enough talent in the squad. It may well be a lack of consistency due to injuries and recurring absences. Continuity in the back 4 will likely yield the kind of consistency to mount a title challenge.
Arbeloa’s Impending Blessing/Curse
Once all the starters are healthy Arbeloa will have to start games in the fashion of outright sabotage in the sense that he cannot sacrifice for balance. He will have to lump them in and hope. This reality is one that makes me wonder if he’s relieved that he’s had Vini, Jude and Kylian absent for some recent games. Fewer decisions about the balance of the team.
The Kids Are Alright
Cestero and Jimenez are in the right place at the right time this season. Both have shown to be capable players and have the trust of the manager who has worked with them at youth level. Unfortunately for them the club has overinvested in duplicated roles and the profiles of the players means it is highly unlikely that any will be offloaded this summer. At this point it looks like squad planning is based on injury concerns and not the desire to build a balanced squad. It also seems there’s an obsession with versatility which while fantastic in low percentage historically significant events simultaneously stiles continuity, creating a boom-bust cycle, if you will.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Arda Guler leaves in the summer to be replaced by Nico Paz . The midfield trio will be? Jude, Fede, Tchou? We have to squeeze Nico in. Who goes to the bench? If Trent is starting it cannot be Fede. Jude is the Vini of our midfield. He’s not getting benched. So Tchou for Nico Paz or better yet, 4 in midfield. That way only Camavinga gets benched. Does this really solve problems or raise new ones? Limited width, balancing defence and duplication of features in midfield .
