Sorry but this is the answer. We would’ve been a 90 point team with him fit (despite him being the worst defender ever or whatever) and he was our best player in several big games from LB.
I don’t know who the voters are but White and Zinny at fullback have been a million miles more dangerous than Sagna and Monreal ever were while being part of a defensive unit more solid than we ever used to have and there’s only so much you can put at the feet of Saliba and Partey/Rice on that. Monreal was a very solid A grade full back for his time, while Zinchenko has been a game changer for the team.
The greatest FBs my whole life have been major attacking threats, if they can be 90% of a Sagna or Monreal defensively while being 500% of them offensively it’s a fair trade and then some. I’m thinking FBs like Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lahm, Lizarazu, Dani Alves, Maicon.
Zinny is also great in the air, great at recovering the ball quickly in the final third. OK, he is not the greatest of all time one on one defending in the final third, but he’s not a poor defender either.
My memory on it is a bit fuzzy but how many times did Sagna and Monreal play together? I felt like Monreal came in as a backup during the end of days for Sagna, and then only truly kicked on in the Bellerin era?
I think people are just nostalgic. At this rate, Saka will be the only player from our current squad voted here (and maybe Rice if people are willing to put him on this early).
Alex Zinchenko (2022-present )
Sorry but this is the answer. We would’ve been a 90 point team with him fit (despite him being the worst defender ever or whatever) and he was our best player in several big games from LB.
I don’t know who the voters are but White and Zinny at fullback have been a million miles more dangerous than Sagna and Monreal ever were while being part of a defensive unit more solid than we ever used to have and there’s only so much you can put at the feet of Saliba and Partey/Rice on that. Monreal was a very solid A grade full back for his time, while Zinchenko has been a game changer for the team.
The greatest FBs my whole life have been major attacking threats, if they can be 90% of a Sagna or Monreal defensively while being 500% of them offensively it’s a fair trade and then some. I’m thinking FBs like Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lahm, Lizarazu, Dani Alves, Maicon.
Zinny is also great in the air, great at recovering the ball quickly in the final third. OK, he is not the greatest of all time one on one defending in the final third, but he’s not a poor defender either.
My memory on it is a bit fuzzy but how many times did Sagna and Monreal play together? I felt like Monreal came in as a backup during the end of days for Sagna, and then only truly kicked on in the Bellerin era?
I think people are just nostalgic. At this rate, Saka will be the only player from our current squad voted here (and maybe Rice if people are willing to put him on this early).