We welcome Konchesky and Meireles, straight swaps for Insua and Mascherano. In my view both of these are an improvement.
But yet again Babel stays and I’m glad for one. I know there are many more of you out there that are glad to see the Dutchman stay, and many more who are a little gutted. We must sit back and review this though.
Since he arrived, Babel has not shown us what he can do, day in day out. We see glimpses of his wizardry and when he does show it, it tends to be a brilliant goal and we think “why don’t you do that day in day out!”.
The reason we have not see the best of Ryan is simple really, he has never been given the chance to play where he was playing before he was signed, up front! The goals he has scored for us over the past few years, have said it all, he collects the ball with his back to goal, turns and puts his laces through it, power, accuracy, goal. Where does he collect the ball, in a strikers position, not on the left. If he gets it out there, he bumbles his way down the line and once in a blue moon finds someone. He is wasteful in possession on the left and wasted being played on the left.
Play him up front Roy, with Torres, not only will he leather the lay off’s but he will provide them as well. I see it like this. He could sit in the pocket in front of the oppositions back line, receive the ball to feet, chest or head lay it back to an on coming Gerrard, turn and shoot, or turn and slide it through. if he had been doing this for 3 years, Ryan would be hero by now and comparisons to Bergkamp would not surprise me! Torres meanwhile being doing what I call a Rushie, sitting on the last man waiting for his chance to make that diagonal run beyond the defence, then shoot or knock it square to either winger, Gerrard or Babel as they come up in support (hopefully passing to Torres and then following through and not standing there admiring there pass!).
I could go into greater detail about tactics and how it would fit together in different scenarios, but I do not have the Sky sports computer programme or patience to write book!