14 - Javier Mascherano
- Thread starter nebeer
- Start date
Horatio
You're welcome
The fact he is so short is what makes it awesome though.
Nothanks
New member
Someone his height needs to have tarzen level jumping (i.e like puyol) to pull it off at centerback and he just doesn't have it..
only reason he is being benched and had a year or two of being underrated was because he couldn't mark Benzema those several games when Di Maria went on god mode crossing
Other than being a la masia product, I really believe the only reason Pique has started over most our centerbacks over the years was just because he is 194cm and able to outmuscle strikers in corners / crosses (our "weakness" for the longest time until Umtiti came)
only reason he is being benched and had a year or two of being underrated was because he couldn't mark Benzema those several games when Di Maria went on god mode crossing
Other than being a la masia product, I really believe the only reason Pique has started over most our centerbacks over the years was just because he is 194cm and able to outmuscle strikers in corners / crosses (our "weakness" for the longest time until Umtiti came)
Total-Football
Senior Member
i think height is not a mandatory pre-requisite for a centerback. Cannavaro was not tall at all. And one of my personal favorites is Ivan Cordoba who i believe is shorter than Mascherano, yet he was rock solid at the back. As to mascherano, he is already established as a world class CB of this generation nevertheless so i don't understand what lead you to believe he is not rated.
Nothanks
New member
I'm not saying height is everything, but it certainly helps...
he cannot stand his ground next to a strong striker in crosses or corners, his heading is average
he's a beast at sliding tackle, commanding the line, bravery etc but physically he is held back
players like Puyol (i reference him a lot because i'm sure most of you saw him play in his prime) were not pushed and out muscled easily, our biggest weaknesses came from crosses / corner
I see mascherano as a better version (skill wise / defensively) of prime Pepe (whom i rate highly despite his anger issues and antics) but Pepe had height/physicality which helped him a lot
he cannot stand his ground next to a strong striker in crosses or corners, his heading is average
he's a beast at sliding tackle, commanding the line, bravery etc but physically he is held back
players like Puyol (i reference him a lot because i'm sure most of you saw him play in his prime) were not pushed and out muscled easily, our biggest weaknesses came from crosses / corner
I see mascherano as a better version (skill wise / defensively) of prime Pepe (whom i rate highly despite his anger issues and antics) but Pepe had height/physicality which helped him a lot
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Truthist
New member
The likes of Cannavaro, Cardoba and Ayala had fantastic jumps on them and held their own in aerial battles. Unfortunately, Nascherano doesn't but otherwise he is a colossus.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Sport saying he already told Bartomeu that he is leaving at the end of the season, probably will be heading to MLS
Pereft timing from his behalf
Pereft timing from his behalf
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
We will miss him. I will do for sure.
Alik
Moderator
He can still play at a high level imo.
That being said, he's earned a semi-retirement if that's what he wants. David Villa has been having fun in the US.
Messi983
Senior Member
We already have a replacement for him.
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