Florian and the (Slot) Machine
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That headline is from when he joined Madrid, at which stage he was already an "established star"
Yeah, I get that, just drawing further parallels
Oh no. We could have really made use of his physical presence against a Sean Dyche side this weekend...
Me too!Holding onto this thought
Going to put it out here: how different would this season have been if we'd spent a Premier League record fee on McTominay instead of Wirtz? Perennial Ballon d'Or talent in our midfield.
That's a really odd proposition.
Still shit. We don't need that profile of player and whilst he was underrated during his time in the PL, he's not as good as Serie A makes him out to be.
I'm just engagement farming here. But I'm too lazy to commit to the bit.
View: https://x.com/FlorianFocus/status/1995157646274650343?t=j-sCcX3GOxZfpxc4Vp1ptQ&s=19
Probably the first full game where I felt he really made the difference. This is more like the player I saw for Leverkusen in the CL. Impactful on the ball all over the pitch, strong work ethic, consistently good interplay and efficient, non-fussy creativity on the final third. Today really should be the bare minimum for the fee paid, but it'll help his confidence he can do his thing in this league.
I haven't checked just recently but apparently his numbers have been OK for a while. Agree he was yesterday's MOTM.
They have.. players just need to get on the same wave length. Isak was rotten yesterday with him twice.
First time he held his run when it was screaming to stay level.
Second time he ran to the back post rather than a near post dart.
But again, hopefully that will come too.
Carra (not been complimentary of late) : Wirtz was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.
I think he's linked quite well with Ekitike, the problem for him is he hasn't had an effective attack infront of him, he's had Gakpo and Salah blowing mostly cold and making poor runs or generally just giving the ball away, they also haven't really helped to incorporate him into the attack and get him involved. He's been poor, but you could see the difference on Sunday with having people running off him with actual purpose and in turn involving him in the moves upfront. Gakpo looked better for it too, so maybe the issue is that you can't really play Salah and Wirtz, because they are both so lightweight and capable of losing possession while trying to make things happen. Salah is more often than not losing the ball by making poor choices and being selfish, at least Wirtz is most of the time looking for the right pass, even if his teammates aren't yet on the same wavelength. He needs to just keep playing and it will click.
He's a special player. Top class.
@King Binny someone mentioned the amount of times he loses the ball. I'm not sure I'm seeing that, his passes (which are generally probing, creative and occasionally too far outside the box for those around him) have a high completion rate but I'd like to see stats on how many times he's pushed off the ball or loses a 50/50, especially in comparison to our other players. Is there any factual support for the claim he's 'lightweight'?
Thanks !
@King Binny someone mentioned the amount of times he loses the ball. I'm not sure I'm seeing that, his passes (which are generally probing, creative and occasionally too far outside the box for those around him) have a high completion rate but I'd like to see stats on how many times he's pushed off the ball or loses a 50/50, especially in comparison to our other players. Is there any factual support for the claim he's 'lightweight'?
Thanks !
The 1st stat other than ground duels won I thought off was "most times dispossessed per 90". Wirtz's number for this is 1.62.
Excellent thanks Binny!
And it goes to show that he isn't as weak (or lsoes the ball as often) as some seem to think - an average of once or twice per match isn't terrible.
As for miscontrols I doubt he's anywhere near Salah or Gakpo.
Continue to do well in terms of "possession won final 3rd" too ("Florian Wirtz has won the most possessions in the opposition's final third (71) in the Bundesliga last season.")
He should never be the fulcrum of a team. He doesn’t have the on pitch personality for it….Bobby had spades more, and he was the glue for our attack a few years ago, a bit like Dalglish.
He needs to grow a certain arrogance.
He has many of the ingredients, like Bobby and maybe Hendo before him….they needed the right system, but also individual growth too.
I’ve faith - he’s still very young, what is he? 22… wow…he’s got exceptional feet and balance, he plays with his head up all the time….theres some real core tools that you can’t teach there. Swagger, arrogance, physical strength - that can all be developed.
He’s one I believe has every opportunity to grow.
He needs to grow a certain arrogance.
He has many of the ingredients, like Bobby and maybe Hendo before him….they needed the right system, but also individual growth too.
I’ve faith - he’s still very young, what is he? 22… wow…he’s got exceptional feet and balance, he plays with his head up all the time….theres some real core tools that you can’t teach there. Swagger, arrogance, physical strength - that can all be developed.
He’s one I believe has every opportunity to grow.
Wirtz, Szobo and Chiesa - pressing demons with massive kms and sprints run per match. Should be the fulcrum of our press.
Bobby wasn't great under Brendan.
Klopp's changes made him the fulcrum of the attack.
I think we've seen enough from Wirtz to show that he be great under the right manager (doesn't seem to be this one) and in the right set up (whatever that is).
Just needs to build up a bit of strength for the league, which I think is something that was also levelled at Bobby.
Id be annoyed if Jones had passed it for that first one.