Colin Reese

The Clint Dempsey Supremacy

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The Clint Dempsey Supremacy

This column isn’t about Landon Donovan and whether he lived up to his potential. This column is about the supremacy of Clint Dempsey in American soccer history.

Of all the American soccer players, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have the best club resumes – because compared to other American soccer players – these two had the most success against high-level competition. Bradley has more impressive club names on his resume – like Roma – but Dempsey displayed the most skill and success consistently over time.

Dempsey showcased a level of technical skill and the ability to compete and be successful against quality European club competition that no other American really showed. Although Dempsey played for a small EPL club in Fulham – as well as Tottenham Hotspur – he still was consistently an effective and skillful midfielder and forward for seven years in the EPL.

On the international level, Dempsey showed an ability to always perform well regardless of the competition or the importance of the game. By scoring in three consecutive World Cups, Dempsey proved himself to be a consistently good player that didn’t just enjoy a few moments of success.

The Texan has been a complete player for all of his professional career. Dempsey combined skill with toughness and athleticism, and this allowed him to not be outclassed with skill or bullied with physicality and tackling. Whether defenders came at Dempsey with some roughness or with skill, Dempsey had the skill-set and tools to be effective. Other Americans have also been effective, but Dempsey was really the first to showcase impressive skill and technique even against elite competition. He didn’t just standout technically against weak opponents, but he was also a technical and skillful player when he faced off against elite defenders.

One of the problems for Dempsey’s reputation and fame has been that he has been dismissed as sort of mediocre in comparison to the world-class talents, but not being as talented as the handful of elite attacking players at the current moment doesn’t mean that Dempsey wasn’t a skillful and accomplished player on the club and international level. Another problem for Dempsey’s reputation is that he’s often described as just a tough or gutsy player without any mention of his fantastic skill with the ball.

By playing for a small EPL club for so long, many critics dismiss Dempsey’s accomplishments as not being with a top EPL club, so therefore his accomplishments are considered equal to Donovan’s MLS accomplishments; but, this is a flawed mentality and argument. When Dempsey was excelling in the EPL consistently, he was competing against top EPL clubs all the time, so his success was against better talent that Donovan faced. Landon Donovan was a great American player, but let’s not say that Donovan’s accomplishments compare to Dempsey’s against better competition on a bigger stage.

Both players are excellent players with perhaps the same level of actual ability, but Dempsey was playing against better competition in a better league. As Dempsey gets closer and closer to breaking Donovan’s international goal record with the United States (Donovan 57 goals, Dempsey 49 goals), it will be harder to keep insisting that Donovan was a better player than Dempsey.

More so than just a player that was good enough and athletic enough to be successful at the higher levels of soccer, Dempsey was and still is a creative and technical player that showcased a mastery of the ball with both feet, and it is this visual display of skill in real games that makes him the best American player ever.

Sebastian Lletget For the USMNT

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Sebastian Lletget for the U.S. Men’s National Team

Sebastian Lletget is the Number 10 that the United States have been looking for. The LA Galaxy attacking midfielder and forward brings creativity, technical skill, quickness, a low center of gravity, and active movement off the ball.

Lletget is a triple threat in that he brings passing, dribbling, and scoring. Recently against the Portland Timbers, Lletget showed how he can thrive when playing his natural position as a playmaker. With Robbie Keane injured, all of the passing and play came through Lletget, and he was able to showcase what he can do when playing his best position. The former U.S. youth international is a complete enough attacker that he has also thrived with the Galaxy in a wide role, but in the middle, Lletget has more touches on the ball.

As several people have commented on social media, there are shades of Clint Dempsey in Lletget’s balletic dribbling, and this sort of comfort and facility on the ball is the main skill that the United States and American soccer have been missing. Let’s not forget that Lletget also knows how to put the ball in the back of the net with both feet. He’s proven himself to be a composed finisher.

Lee Nguyen and Darlington Nagbe have shown well with the national team, but their inclusion doesn’t exclude Lletget. In fact, taking nothing away from Nguyen, Lletget is a more valuable player than Nguyen. Despite being an attacking midfielder, Nagbe does bring a box-to-box element to the national team, so there’s no reason to think that he and Lletget cannot play together. Right now, a strong argument could be made that the best three-man midfield might be Michael Bradley, Darlington Nagbe, and Dillon Powers, and this leaves room for Lletget to start in the attack with Dempsey and a center forward.

The United States needs Lletget’s skill-set as a goalscoring playmaker that has a direct and creative style of play. Someone needs to provide some of the creativity and skill that usually only Dempsey brought to the table, so why not let Lletget play with Dempsey this summer in the Copa America Centenario?

Lletget is ready to play for the United States now. He isn’t just a promising player or an interesting prospect, but he is arguably the best American attacking midfielder now along with Nagbe. Based on his club form since the beginning of the 2015 MLS season and his overall skill level, Lletget should not only be on the national team roster, but he should be a starter.

Selecting a USA Copa America Centenario squad (April 2016)

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Selecting a USA Copa America squad (April 2016)

If you’re a fan of the U.S. Men’s National Team, then you should be concerned about how good the competition will be in the Copa America Centenario. Whether or not Lionel Messi, Luís Suárez, or Neymar play, most of the national teams are much better than the United States. The United States have a decent national team with certain players who are much better than the rest of the team, but with the best American footballers playing together, the United States can play better than ever under Jürgen Klinsmann’s tenure as coach.

In the last World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, Klinsmann made sure to not field an unbalanced lineup with players out of position, and several players like DeAndre Yedlin and Steve Birnbaum proved to be improvements to previous players at their positions. This is something positive for the United States. With Geoff Cameron partnering with Birnbaum in the center of the defense, the American defense looks more technical and less porous.

I’ve always contended that Klinsmann doesn’t ever have a first team in mind with substitutes for each position, and this causes him to select a roster that has too many players for some positions and not enough for others.

Looking at the American player pool and recent U.S. games, it is possible to propose a decent 23-man roster starting with the goalkeepers and on down to the center forwards.

Goalkeepers

Brad Guzan, William Yarbrough, David Bingham

Brad Guzan is the Number 1 right now as he’s younger than Howard and playing regularly in the EPL. The second-choice goalkeeper should be William Yarbrough who has performed solidly for the United States when given the chance, plus he’s a starting goalkeeper in Liga MX. Yarbrough is a reliable goalkeeper that’s good with his hands and feet, and he’s in good form. Maybe some of the other goalkeepers in the pool are just as good or better, but Yarbrough is a wise choice here. David Bingham looks like the third goalkeeper for now. He has been widely praised for his play in MLS. Clint Irwin has a case here as well.

Defenders

Center Backs (4): Geoff Cameron, Steve Birnbaum, John Brooks, Matt Miazga

Right Backs (2): DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson

Left Backs (2): Brek Shea, Jorge Villafaña

Cameron and Birnbaum seem like the best center back options right now, but Matt Miazga and John Brooks are quality center backs that also bring the combination of skill, athleticism, and defending. Let’s not forget the Miazga is on Chelsea’s roster, and Brooks is a proven Bundesliga center back who is a frequent scapegoat for USA fans.

If you follow American soccer, then the outside backs are self-explanatory. With two right backs and two left backs listed, this group is already better than Klinsmann’s normal treatment of outside backs as an afterthought. Yedlin and Johnson are the best starting options, but there is some concern that Johnson doesn’t always look like he has the stamina to track back on defense. Shea normally looks like he has more energy to chase down attackers out wide. Johnson is a much better winger than outside back, but he’s needed here on the roster to fit in the midfielders needed below.

Midfielders

Defensive Midfielders (4): Michael Bradley, Perry Kitchen, Fatai Alashe, Kellyn Acosta

Attacking Midfielders (4): Dillon Powers, Darlington Nagbe, Sebastian Lletget, Christian Pulisic

The midfielders included here are essentially two defensive midfielders, two box-to-box midfielders, two attacking midfielders, and two wings (Ethan Finlay listed in the forwards is a winger by trade as well and Sebastian Lletget is really a Number 10). With these eight midfielders, the American roster actually has the personnel needed to field a balanced and effective three or four-man midfield. Fatai Alashe and Kellyn Acosta are great examples of how Bradley is needed more as the defensive midfielder instead of the box-to-box midfielder which is where these two thrive, and Klinsmann rates both of them. Kitchen is a true Number 6, and he has shown himself to be a player with the requisite athleticism and skill-set to play the defensive midfielder role at the international level. Dillon Powers hasn’t been used by Klinsmann before, but can anyone who follows American soccer really doubt this player?  One area where American soccer has improved is the arrival of midfielders like Powers who have a higher baseline of skill than most of the American players before them. For this writer, Sebastian Lletget is too talented to leave off. Lletget has really stood out in the American player pool as a talented, technical, and creative attacking player that can really play. The LA Galaxy midfielder/forward is a true Number 10 that can play wide or centrally and combine with talented players like Dempsey. Lletget is a goal-scoring playmaker with good vision and creativity, and the U.S. really needs those qualities. Lletget also plays as a second striker. During the month of April Christian Pulisic has proven to be a real talent for Borussia Dortmund. This player is much more than hype, as the Bundesliga player has displayed individual skill, quickness, and creativity against strong European club competition.

 

Forwards

Second Strikers (2): Clint Dempsey, Ethan Finlay

Center Forwards (2): Juan Agudelo, Rubio Rubin

With Juan Agudelo and Rubio Rubin as the center forwards, World Soccer Source is picking the skill and dynamism of those two over the familiarity with seeing Jozy Altidore’s name always on the team sheet. Altidore is a capable Number 9, but Agudelo and Rubin bring more skill and activity to the head of the attack. Ethan Finlay is needed to play as a second striker or as a wing on either side. Finlay brings plenty of passing ability and speed to the attack, and he also knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Clint Dempsey is still the undisputed best American player, and he’s needed to score and lead the attack.

 

Article Updated on April 29, 2016

The Top 20 American Soccer Players (April 2016)

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The Top 20 American Soccer Players (April 2016)

In this publication’s opinion, Clint Dempsey has been the best American soccer player since 2006/2007. No offense to Landon Donovan, but Dempsey has a much stronger resume with a higher level of technical skill and mental toughness than Donovan had.

Nevertheless, ranking the best American soccer players involves figuring out who goes after the Texas gunslinger, Deuce Dempsey.

Here are the rankings:

1. Clint Dempsey – Forward – Seattle Sounders

2. Michael Bradley – Midfielder – Toronto FC

3. Fabian Johnson – Midfielder/Defender – Borussia Monchengladbach

4. Geoff Cameron – Defender/Midfielder – Stoke City

5. Benny Feilhaber – Midfielder – Sporting Kansas City

6. Jozy Altidore – Forward – Toronto FC

7. Juan Agudelo – Forward – New England Revolution

8. Darlington Nagbe – Midfielder – Portland Timbers

9. Lee Nguyen – Midfielder – New England Revolution

10. DeAndre Yedlin – Outside Back – Tottenham/Sunderland

11. Charlie Davies – Forward – New England Revolution

12. Brad Guzan – Goalkeeper – Aston Villa

13. John Brooks – Defender – Hertha Berlin

14. Rubio Rubin – Forward – Utrecht

15. Sebastian Lletget – Forward/Midfielder – LA Galaxy

16. Kelyn Rowe – Midfielder – New England Revolution

17.Dillon Powers – Midfielder – Colorado Rapids

18. Alejandro Bedoya – Midfielder – Nantes

19. Kellyn Acosta – Midfielder – FC Dallas

20. Fatai Alashe – Midfielder – San Jose Earthquakes

The Best USMNT XI (April 2016)

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The Best United States Men’s National Team XI (April 2016)

With the Copa America Centennario coming up this summer, Jürgen Klinsmann should continue to use more appropriate lineups like the one he used against CONCACAF minnows Guatemala. Using players out of position needs to be a thing of the past for Klinsmann.

Against Guatemala, the United States started a defense composed of DeAndre Yedlin at right back, Geoff Cameron and Steve Birnbaum at the center back spots, and Edgar Castillo at left back. Left back continues to be a position without a clear best option, but certainly Yedlin, Cameron, and Birnbaum are all qualified and capable of manning the other three positions in the defense.

Both Cameron and Birnbaum looked comfortable on the ball and defensively solid, and both center backs bring the level of athleticism needed to perform at the international level, especially against soccer’s giants in South America. Yedlin too looked strong and comfortable, and the young right back finally looks like the clear best option at that position.

Klinsmann started Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, and Graham Zusi in the midfield, and certainly Beckerman and Zusi are a level below Bradley. Beckerman is a trustworthy defensive midfielder, but he’s always been on the slow side. Now in his mid-thirties, it’s time to have a quicker defensive midfielder starting.

Bradley is a born defensive midfielder, and something of a prototypical defensive midfielder. Surely, starting Bradley at the defensive midfielder spot in a midfield three is the best choice for Klinsmann and the United States.

Darlington Nagbe thrived in MLS in a box-to-box role, and he has been a standout in his several appearances with the national team. Using Bradley and Nagbe as two of the three midfielders is really a no-brainer.

The third midfield spot could go to Lee Nguyen as the attacking midfielder or perhaps going with Dillon Powers of the Colorado Rapids as a combo Number 8/attacking midfielder would serve the best interest of the national team. Both Nagbe and Powers are two-way midfielders with the vision and passing ability to set up goals, so starting them with Bradley would make a lot of sense for the United States.

If Klinsmann elects to use the 4-3-3 formation, then the lineup needs three forwards with Clint Dempsey being the one on the left.

The center forward spot could go to Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, or Juan Agudelo, but Charlie Davies is a capable and proven center forward too.

On the right wing, Fabian Johnson or Ethan Finlay fit the bill, and Sebastian Lletget is also worth trying for multiple games. The L.A. Galaxy attacking midfielder has proven his ability to play quick, one-to-two touch soccer with the likes of Robbie Keane, so he is more than capable of combining with the likes of Clint Dempsey and whoever the center forward is. Lletget is too talented of an attacking midfielder to leave off the roster and starting lineup.

The type of lineup outlined above is just like Klinsmann’s most recent lineup, but there are several changes. One has to think that after Klinsmann finally came under widespread criticism about his lineups and tactics that he will be less likely to field another bizarre lineup with multiple players out of position.

The German still hasn’t done an excellent job in selecting the right players for his 23-man rosters, but perhaps a more defined lineup concept will guide his future selections. With a starting lineup in mind, Klinsmann merely has to select 11 second-choice options plus an additional goalkeeper.

The smart money would be on betting that Klinsmann won’t continue to utilize questionable tactics that insult the intelligence of American soccer fans and the media. With this change something of a guarantee, the United States should begin to display more team chemistry and more collective skill as things aren’t in so much turmoil.

The big question remaining about Klinsmann is will he continue to recycle the same group of players. Klinsmann has a bad habit of dropping and reintroducing the same players into the pool rather than testing out new ones who have more or less proven their capabilities.

Going forward, Dillon Powers, Kelyn Rowe, Jorge Villafaña, and Sebastian Lletget stand out as names that Klinsmann needs to bring in, but Klinsmann deserves credit for brining in Kellyn Acosta, Fatai Alashe, and Will Trapp. Those seven players are all players that this writer considers worthy of national team spots right now, and Klinsmann has introduced some of them into the team.

As a next step, Klinsmann would be wise to make some four lineup changes: Edgar Castillo, Kyle Beckerman, Graham Zusi, and Gyasi Zardes. As replacements for those four spots, the following players fit the bill: Villafaña at left back, Powers and Nagbe in the midfield, and Johnson or Finlay at right wing.

World Soccer Source sees something like this lineup as the logical next step for the U.S. Men’s National Team: Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Birnbaum, Villafaña; Powers, Bradley, Nagbe; Lletget, Agudelo, Dempsey.

How the U.S. National Team looks after the January friendlies

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After the January friendlies and recent club play, there’s a clearer picture of the best United States Men’s National Team lineup.

Tim Howard or Brad Guzan is an automatic starter in goal, and Geoff Cameron and John Brooks have to be considered the two starting center backs.

At the fullback spots, Kellyn Acosta and Jorge Villafaña have separated themselves. Acosta played left back in the recent friendlies, but right back is the position where the national team needs him most.

Villafaña enjoyed an outstanding MLS season at left back for the Portland Timbers, and his play earned him a promotion to a better team in a better league. Villafaña now plays for Santos Laguna in La Liga MX.

One huge benefit of the defense outlined above is that all five players are actually deployed in the correct position and the position where they are enjoying good form.

Midfielders Darlington Nagbe and Lee Nguyen have displayed their technical qualities in recent months (and for years before), and starting these two midfielders with Bradley would be an inspired choice. Three technical midfielders are just what the doctor ordered for the United States. The alternative is to continue to do nothing to attempt to improve the lack of enough technical ability in the midfield.

Bradley anchoring the American midfield as the defensive midfielder or central midfielder or whatever name you want to use is frankly a no-brainer. Using Bradley as an attacking midfielder is a waste of half of his skill-set and his engine. He was born to anchor the American midfield.

If the United States elects to go with the 4-3-3 formation, then all that’s left is the attacking trident made up of two wings and a center forward. For much of his career, Clint Dempsey played on the left side of the attack or midfield, and there’s no reason he can’t play as the left forward in the American attack.

Fabian Johnson’s form is too good in the Bundesliga right now to not start, so Johnson deserves that right wing starting spot.

Leading the line as the center forward should be Jozy Altidore (with Juan Agudelo deserving strong consideration). Altidore has frequently been starved for service at striker, and Altidore has become a more active and complete striker in recent years. During the January friendlies, Altidore displayed a leaner and lighter frame which can only help the extremely muscular Altidore. There’s nothing wrong with being lighter, leaner, and more agile.

Just starting the most deserving players won’t fix the United States’ problems without some continuity and chemistry. There’s nothing wrong with making adjustments to the lineup as the coach sees fit, but continuing to completely shuffle around the lineup will slow down the U.S.’ progress.

Going into World Cup qualifying, here again is that lineup that could improve the United States’ play: Guzan; Acosta, Cameron, Brooks, Villafaña; Nagbe, Bradley, Nguyen; Johnson, Altidore, Dempsey.

Where Should Darlington Nagbe Play for the USMNT?

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What’s Darlington Nagbe’s best position for the United States Men’s National Team? Is there really only one?

Darlington Nagbe thrived this past season in Major League Soccer as a central midfielder, but his skill-set and qualities allow him to be a game-changer in multiple positions. Nagbe played his best when he was able to get lots of touches on the ball with lots of freedom to move. Whether he plays as a box-to-box midfielder or as some sort of forward, Nagbe just needs freedom to play the game as he sees fit. Even as an outside forward or wing in a 4-3-3, he could drop into the midfield to recover possession and collect the ball. Starting Nagbe either as a midfielder or forward is more important that ensuring that he is started in the Number 8 role.

Michael Bradley is certainly a more defensive player than Nagbe, so having Bradley in the lineup frees Nagbe up to be more offensive while still being able to contribute defensively.

A 4-3-3 formation would suit the United States well, and Nagbe’s qualities make him suited to play in the midfield or in the attack. If Clint Dempsey and Fabian Johnson are playing in the Front Three with Jozy Altidore or some other striker, then this makes the midfield the best spot for Nagbe. If Mix Diskerud (or some other attacking midfielder) and a defensive midfielder are lining up with Bradley in the midfield then one of the outside forward spots is best for Nagbe. These outside forward spots are positions that afford plenty of freedom of movement, and of course Lionel Messi and Neymar play these positions for Barcelona where they drop into the midfield all the time.

Nagbe is most influential when he is heavily involved in the game, and Jürgen Klinsmann would be wise to make him a starter for the United States. Formations and tactics are certainly important, but special attacking players have always been given plenty of freedom.

All Nagbe needs is plenty of touches, and the United States needs him involved in the attack whether as a midfielder or a forward. Nagbe is also the logical choice to play Dempsey’s role when Dempsey isn’t playing, so Nagbe will have to work on his finishing to score as much as Dempsey.

For right now, a Front Six with  Diskerud, Bradley, and Nagbe, behind Johnson, Altidore,  and Dempsey seems as good as any, so it’s not hard to see Nagbe fitting into the lineup of a full-strength United States.

Although Nagbe did play as a Number 8 for the Portland Timbers, it’s easy to see how Nagbe is more of an offensive midfielder when compared to Michael Bradley or even the young Kellyn Acosta. Nagbe is much more of a complete player than just someone that needs to play the same role for the national team as his club team to succeed.

Whether he is more of a central midfielder or a forward, Nagbe can be a reference point and game-changing player for the United States.

Player Profile: M’Baye Niang

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Breaking Down M’Baye Niang’s Qualities and Skill-Set

M’Baye Niang. Dazzling technical ability and creativity inside an NBA physique with Olympic sprinter athleticism.

Niang really is just like that. A center forward by trade, the French attacker has so much skill and natural talent that he’s been able to play out of position as a wing or second striker for AC Milan without any problems.

In addition to all of the speed and trickery, Niang is also an elite passer and dead ball specialist. When Mario Balotelli first game to Milan several years ago after being at Inter Milan and Manchester City, Niang showed the ability to harmonize with Balotelli and attack opposing defenses like bandits. This ability to associate and combine with Balotelli shows a mind that understands football and knows how to help and be helped by talented teammates.

The one area where Niang needs to improve is converting more of his individual creativity into goals. Niang can certainly score and be a threat for the entire 90 minutes, but there is lots of room for capitalizing on all of that skill and audacity.

The French forward is borderline unplayable as his speed and skill are too much to expect any defender to really contain. Since Niang hasn’t harnessed all of his powers yet, his scoring and assist stats haven’t been noteworthy. The lack of numerous goals and assists is attributable to simply not being clinical enough in the final third. When Niang sharpens up his finishing, he’s the only one stopping him.

Unlike Balotelli, Niang has no issues with discipline or emotional control. Like Balotelli, Niang can do everything with both feet, and he can smoothly execute difficult tricks that most footballers cannot pull off against other professionals in a game setting. Niang also excels at shielding the ball and bodying off defenders without fouling. Niang has a slender built, but there is a lot of muscle and power in his tall frame.

No one in world football runs with the speed and effortless grace of Niang, and this is coupled with a expert level of mastery of the ball. The Frenchman is just a speed merchant; he is an elite attacking talent that is only 21 years old.

A refined Niang will be a rival or partner for Karim Benzema in the French attack. Earning a spot on France’s UEFA Euro 2016 roster should be a goal for Niang.

M’Baye Niang checks all the boxes for a forward: skill, creativity, activity, speed, size, passing. and scoring ability. His time should be soon.

Better Days Ahead for AC Milan

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Milan are poised to leave their mediocre play behind after a victory over Fiorentina and the return of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mario Balotelli.

AC Milan’s victory over Fiorentina could be a turning point for the club. Historically, the Rossoneri are soccer giants, and even a few years ago, the club had close Champions League games against the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal in the knockout rounds.

Milan are much more talented and complete than they get credit for. The club isn’t as crumbling as much as observers claim. Milan had enough money and appeal to sign a striker of Carlos Bacca’s quality over the summer, and youngsters like Davide Calabria and Gianluigi Donnarumma are cause for hope. Giacomo Bonaventura’s play as a fantasista is alone cause for hope. Looking at Milan’s roster, a very strong starting lineup can be easily put together, and there is even room for variation and player rotation.

If Milan use a 4-3-3 formation, then Kevin-Prince Boateng, Riccardo Montolivo, and Giacomo Bonaventura can start in the midfield, and that midfield is no joke even by the highest standards. Sinisa Mihajlovic has the option of starting an attacking trident of M’Baye Niang, Carlos Bacca, and Mario Balotelli, and those three would be a handful for the most elite of the world-class center backs.

Hypothetically, a Front Six like the one outlined above would cause problems for any squad, so already any talk of Milan being doomed to failure until more players can be signed is just not accurate.

Milan are 12 points back from Serie A leaders Napoli, but there is half of a season left to earn a Champions League spot. Surpassing Fiorentina and Roma can be the short term goal for Milan, and these two clubs are already within reach at 6 points and 3 point ahead respectively.

A stereotype about Serie A is that the league is all about defending and tactics, and Milan have the pieces for a strong defense. Along with Donnarumma in goal, Milan have four quality center backs in Alex, Cristian Zapata, Alessio Romagnoli, and Philippe Mexes. Mexes is a walking yellow card, but he’s a talented and experienced central defender. Alex and Romagnoli starting in the center of defense is likely Milan’s best option, and those two offer Milan a respectably central defense. Even though Alex is past his prime, Romagnoli is one of the best young central defenders in the world. Both Juventus and Inter Milan do have better defenses, but Milan is good enough to win a Champions League spot. With starting fullbacks Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio, Milan has quality in the center of the defense and on the flanks.

Writing off Milan for this season is a mistake, but Mihajlovic has plenty of work to do in improving Milan’s chemistry and organization. As soon as Boateng reaches 90-minute fitness, the Rossoneri will be a more formidable side, and Balotelli’s return to the Milan attack creates the exciting scenario of seeing Niang, Bacca, and Balotelli terrorizing opposition defenses together.

What’s Real Madrid’s Best XI Under Zidane?

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What’s Real Madrid’s Best XI Under Zidane?

Casemiro is rumored to be the odd man out in Real Madrid’s starting lineup under Zinedine Zidane, and not because of any lack of quality or form. Zidane wants to play attacking football, and there reportedly is only room for Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić because James Rodríguez needs to start as well. The French coach said that he will always use the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano), so this makes Casemiro and James vying for one spot.

To play Devil’s advocate, Casemiro is a true defensive midfielder, and Zidane knows the great benefit that Claude Makelele brought to the teams that he played on. Perhaps Zidane will want to start Casemiro because of the similar role that Casemiro plays. There is also the fact that Casemiro has been playing some of the best football for Real Madrid this season. Casemiro allows Kroos and Modrić to display more of their creativity and attacking qualities.

Everyone knows that Zidane brought Raphaël Varane to Real Madrid, and the French center back is arguably among the best two or three center backs in the world. Varane is a phenomenon that brings lightning speed, the technical skill of an elite attacking player, and outstanding defensive qualities. There’s no debate whether Pepe or Varane is better. No contest. Varane wins.

So under Zidane, Real Madrid will likely start Keylor Navas in goal with Danilo or Dani Carvajal at right back and Varane and Sergio Ramos at center back. Marcelo will play left back, but the real toss ups are in the midfield. There are too many players for the available spots. Isco and James are in direct competition with one another to play as the attacking midfielder or out wide, and both affect Casemiro.

If Real Madrid uses a three-man midfield, then starting Modrić, Casemiro, and Kroos pushes James or Isco out of the starting XI.

There is also Mateo Kovačić to consider. He brings smooth passing and creativity, and he fills the same role that James or Isco bring. Positional battles like this are normal at a club like Real Madrid, and Zidane will have his hands full.

It will be interesting to see if Zidane proves to be an elite ex-player that coaches well or that coaches poorly. The reality could also be less black and white. Maybe Zidane will improve over time as a coach.

Possible Real Madrid XI under Zidane:

Goalkeeper- Keylor Navas

Right Back- Danilo

Center Back- Raphaël Varane

Center Back- Sergio Ramos

Left Back- Marcelo

Defensive Midfielder- Toni Kroos/Casemiro

Center Midfielder- Luka Modric/Toni Kroos

Right Wing- Gareth Bale

Attacking Midfielder- James Rodríguez

Left Wing- Cristiano Ronaldo

Striker- Karim Benzema