Mesüt wrote:Box to box implies a player who actually contributes to the attacking play by getting into the opposition third and box. Ramsey is what a B2B player should look like (if he could be arsed to get back more often).
Kante is DM who, due to playing in a largely dominating team, may find himself making interceptions high up the pitch but he contributes practically zero to the attacking play. Fernandinho is a bit better cos he can actually pass but it's been the same role for him this season, break up the play and give it to Silva or KDB...contributing practically nothing to the attack again. He's scored 3 and assisted 5 in a free flowing all out attack team.
FYI Transfermakrt has him listed as 42 games at DM and 1 at CB. Not gospel but it's what it says.
Busquets again can pass but his role is to protect the defence, he's just the best DM out there because he can actually start and get involved in at attack. Again though it's limited and his random foray to the wing for a cross on Saturday doesn't make him a winger or anything. DLP is Xabi Alonso, Pirlo, Xavi imo.
But this is exactly what I mean. The term is overrated because the modern day "defensive midfielder" doesn't just sit there and defend. They have different attributes and roles depending on philosophies.
Kante is definitely a box to box though. His end product may not be fantastic in the final third but he's always in and around Chelseas attacks. Which is why you usually see him pop it off to Hazard or Willian/Pedro. If you don't watch him that often then ask any Chelsea fan and they will tell you the same. Plenty of stats, heat maps ect to back that up aswell.
We had the closest thing to a defensive midfielder in Coquelin but fans weren't happy with him so we ended up selling him.
Elneny? What's he? He's meant to be a defensive midfielder but his defending isn't that great. He's just full on energy and get's the ball moving.
So what do we need?