Jeremy Mathieu

[footyfan]

Yes, he played as LB, but he made his mistakes in the centre of pitch, that's what I meant.

That is his problem though. As a LB, his positioning is atrocious. On crosses from the attacking team's left, he strays too far central leaving the right side completely open (Reyes goal for instance) and on direct duels with the opposition winger, he backs off too much to the centre giving the winger an enormous amount of space (see both this game and the game at Bernabeu where Carvajal did whatever he pleased)

 

[Darko]

^
This.

 

[anguy]

That is his problem though. As a LB, his positioning is atrocious. On crosses from the attacking team's left, he strays too far central leaving the right side completely open (Reyes goal for instance) and on direct duels with the opposition winger, he backs off too much to the centre giving the winger an enormous amount of space (see both this game and the game at Bernabeu where Carvajal did whatever he pleased)

Yes, but maybe it's just confusion. Some players don't find it easy to switch between positions, maybe if he played more competitive games at LB, his play would improve.

But honestly I never noticed some serious mistake from him before Reyes goal, and I thought he was quite good in supporting of attack.

 

[Sumlit]

Yes, he played as LB, but he made his mistakes in the centre of pitch, that's what I meant.

Part of his mistakes. He plays LB like he would CB and his positioning causes no end of troubles.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Vermaelen should get a shot at leftback now with Alba still out.

 

[spark]

I actually lost count how many time he got sucked into the center while there was always coverage there already. Rafinha had to take up the position he should have been occupying multiple times and then Pedro took over. It's one thing being out of position because you were bombing forward but I don't understand what makes him think there needs to be three players on the right side and none of the left when defending. Lets also not start on how easy it is for any half decent first touch to take him out of the game completely.

 

[FC B]

Shit match from hims. He only had actually only a good saving strong tackle the whole freakin' game and the commentator said "wow that's the frist good tackle of the game" and that was close to the final of the extended time....

 

[serghei]

Just a question. Does anyone know another 1,9m. wing-back in top football atm? Name just one.

 

[bongo128]

Not a great game for him but give him a break. It's the beginning of the season playing cover for LB and Sevilla played some very speedy football. Anyway he had this crucial tackle and also could've grabbed an assists and provided some nice link up play. I think the big problem for us was Sergi Roberto replacing Iniesta. The guy put up zero defensive contribution plus very little creative input upfront.

 

[Neymessi]

Nice defender but he is terrible in 1v1's.Even I would win in a 1v1 with him.

I remember people defending him when I said this.He is great in last ditch sliding tackles but really really bad in 1v1's.

 

[Galning]

He is so shit as a left back. Should never play there again. In the meantime Grimaldo is waiting for his contract to run out.

 

[Alik]

There's 3 alternatives that should be tried before playing Mathieu at LB again imo.

Either play Vermaelen there, or experiment with Sergi Roberto, or call up Grimaldo.

 

[Ghostmaster]

Yeah maybe we should rethink the decision not to buy Abdennour for now, I mean if he continue to play like that as CB... and then he is going to be 32 soon and will start to decline...

 

[God Serena]

Just a question. Does anyone know another 1,9m. wing-back in top football atm? Name just one.

Surely you're not trying to defend this abomination.

 

[anguy]

Yeah maybe we should rethink the decision not to buy Abdennour for now, I mean if he continue to play like that as CB... and then he is going to be 32 soon and will start to decline...

I watched Abdennour on YT and he's really similar to Mathieu - but that includes weaknesses. I don't think he'd be much better than Jeremy, and he can't play until winter anyway.