So this is a bit of a weird way of doing it but I found it interesting. I picked four other DMs and Thiago to compare Fabinho to.
Yellow = 4 pts
Red = 3 pts
Blue = 2 pts
Black = 1 pts
No colour = 0 pts.
Going purely off some base defensive rankings, Fabinho came out a long way below everyone apart from Bissouma (who has had a really poor start at Spurs). He does not rank 1st in any category with only attempted tackles vs dribblers and clearances ranking 2nd out of the 6 players. Overall he gained 18 points on the defensive side of his game. Tyler Adams was first with 40, Caicedo and Thaigo second with 29.
OK so using the same logic as above I expanded that view to a lot more midfielders. Tried to keep it to mainly defensively minded players to see where Fabinho ranks on a defensive level - I mention only defensive stats mostly because he doesnāt really bring anything else to the table.
Adams is a very good player, one I would advocate going after if Leeds were relegated. Those are the types of squad options we lackā¦the ones we have are simply not good enough or about 60 years past it.
We can be on opposing arguments thatās fine, the point here is and 1 which youāre fully aware of is taking every attempt you can to stick the boot into him.
Rodri has similar issues to Fabinho albeit not as dramatic. One of the reasons City can be hurt on the transition. The major difference between the two is quality on the ball.
Fernandinho was the best defensive midfielder Iāve seen in this league, certainly over the last 12 years or so. Disgustingly effective at ruining the opposition attacks whether legally or not.
I remember being slated for recommending Dendoncker from Anderlecht 4-5 years ago as a supplement to our midfield. Wolves got him for next to nothing. Not sure what Villa paid for him.
I think we go after Neves in January as Wolves are going down.
Kante didnāt play on his own as a defensive midfielder, so itās a bit different. Obviously a fantastic player but no I donāt think he would have been a better 6 than Fernandinho.
There was the story about Ranieri trying to play him at the base of the midfield and finally being convinced to take the chains off him. That relative lack of structure allowed him to go and chase the ball and operate as the destroyer he was, and importantly with the safety net of Drinkwater always sitting behind him. Then likewise at Chelsea with Matic.
