Federico Valverde

[Birdy]

Its not like he is required to score though, he provides plenty otherwise, he has a great workrate, intelligent on the ball and not bad in tight spaces despite what you may think.

Great shot yes
Geat workrate yes
Good in tight spaces? I wouldn't say that

 

[soul24rage]

Man,
overstatement is the habitus of the forum...

No, he is not that.
He has a crazy long-distant shot, but he needs tons more to qualify as 'one of the best mds in the world'

He is one of the best midfielders in the world right now.

He can play at a high level in a variety of roles, positionally great, good passing, has pace, power, carries the ball well, has good impact in the final third.

 

[El Gato]

he needs tons more to qualify as 'one of the best mds in the world'

Name some that do qualify over him

 

[Birdy]

Name some that do qualify over him

Pedri, for starters which pains you ...

but then obviously many more, which are great in tight spaces and can completely dictate tempo in games, like:
Kimmich,
Bernardo,
Kovasic,
Rodri,
Rice,
etc

And of course, FDJ would have been first on that list had he not be playing out of position in a system where he has no position...

In before you say "all these are 'deep-lying" there is another list of AMs that qualify way before you even think Valverde does, like:
KdB
Bruno
Foden
Mount
Bellingham
Musiala
etc

And these are just "off the top of my head"

 

[El Gato]

Pains me?
List is fun, NGL

 

[Barcilliant]

Pedri, for starters which pains you ...

but then obviously many more, which are great in tight spaces and can completely dictate tempo in games, like:
Kimmich,
Bernardo,
Kovasic,
Rodri,
Rice,
etc

And of course, FDJ would have been first on that list had he not be playing out of position in a system where he has no position...

In before you say "all these are 'deep-lying" there is another list of AMs that qualify way before you even think Valverde does, like:
KdB
Bruno
Foden
Mount
Bellingham
Musiala
etc

And these are just "off the top of my head"

Pedri? Better in tight spaces? Yes. More decisive overall? NO!

Pedri has more skill but Valverde is a better overall player with more impact. Much better physically, better defensively, more versatile,better in the air, better shooting, better mentality etc

 

[Barcilliant]

I would only rate KDB, Silva, Kimmich and possibly Rodri over him.

 

[NKMaribor]

The issue with Pedri is he heavily reminds me of Isco - and i perceive Isco as a better player in his youth. Second issue, such attacking mids - because Pedri is AM and not CM, are becoming obsolete in modern football as 10s are. Not surprising really. Tons of "panache" - which is lovely to see, but heavily limited. Pedri is perfect example of that. Stronger opponent arrives and he has massive issues. Limited in phase of defense, while in offense which should be his bread and butter, he simply loses tempo - even in final third where he should be strongest. As for the list. The only ones which would fit in Madrid are Kimmich, KdB ( and Bellingham as a project ). As for others, completely absurd.

Valverde has developed in top modern midfielder. In easily the most demanding club on the planet. Which should tell people something about his quality, if they are unable to see it. But true fan bias is a bitch, especially when it comes to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

 

[Barcilliant]

The issue with Pedri is he heavily reminds me of Isco - and i perceive Isco as a better player in his youth. Second issue, such attacking mids - because Pedri is AM and not CM, are becoming obsolete in modern football as 10s are. Not surprising really. Tons of "panache" - which is lovely to see, but heavily limited. Pedri is perfect example of that. Stronger opponent arrives and he has massive issues. Limited in phase of defense, while in offense which should be his bread and butter, he simply loses tempo - even in final third where he should be strongest. As for the list. The only ones which would fit in Madrid are Kimmich, KdB ( and Bellingham as a project ). As for others, completely absurd.

Valverde has developed in top modern midfielder. In easily the most demanding club on the planet. Which should tell people something about his quality, if they are unable to see it. But true fan bias is a bitch, especially when it comes to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Yeah, this is a good post. Yes, players like Pedri are becoming obsolete. Absolutely spot on.

 

[El Gato]

10s aren't becoming obsolete, rather that best sides no longer like a double pivot and players themselves are better utilized when not kept behind a striker like they used to be

Martinez uses KdB at 10 often enough IIRC

 

[NKMaribor]

10s aren't becoming obsolete, rather that best sides no longer like a double pivot and players themselves are better utilized when not kept behind a striker like they used to be

Martinez uses KdB at 10 often enough IIRC

I don`t perceive KdB as a 10. James, Ozil, etc... those were 10s and their time is simply over. Game has evolved. In midfield it is much better to have complete midfielders, while upfront forwards.

Just out of curiosity, where would you play Pedri in Real Madrid?

 

[fergus90]

The issue with Pedri is he heavily reminds me of Isco - and i perceive Isco as a better player in his youth. Second issue, such attacking mids - because Pedri is AM and not CM, are becoming obsolete in modern football as 10s are. Not surprising really. Tons of "panache" - which is lovely to see, but heavily limited. Pedri is perfect example of that. Stronger opponent arrives and he has massive issues. Limited in phase of defense, while in offense which should be his bread and butter, he simply loses tempo - even in final third where he should be strongest. As for the list. The only ones which would fit in Madrid are Kimmich, KdB ( and Bellingham as a project ). As for others, completely absurd.

Valverde has developed in top modern midfielder. In easily the most demanding club on the planet. Which should tell people something about his quality, if they are unable to see it. But true fan bias is a bitch, especially when it comes to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Bernardo would definitely cut it at Madrid. Bernardo, Kimmich and KDB all would without doubt - they are world class footballers who are integral for top clubs.

 

[DonAK]

Pedri is not a #10 or a CAM like Isco as he was for Malaga. That's really the reason Isco didn't hit off as expected because the talent was there. Didn't seem that disciplined with his fitness later either. Not sure how anyone can watch Pedri play and make the same comparison?

With all that being said Isco still had a very good or even great career at Real Madrid.

 

[DonAK]

We definitely need an impact player alongside Pedri and the CDM though. Someone who can get up and down and score like Valverde here or play a killer final pass. That would be a balanced midfield.

 

[serghei]

We need a starter attacking midfielder for sure. Make De Jong DM or sign someone else, and have Gavi and Pedri battling it out for the CM spot. No other option for me.

But the attacking midfielder must not be a short Spanish softie, but more of physical player with great acceleration and top shooting abilities. Someone who can smack one in at any moment from 16-25m range.

This leads you towards types such as Vidal, Lampard, Kroos, Valverde, De Bruyne, Rakitic even.