See, that raises another point, do we misuse players. Take Kuyt and Bellamy, did we misuse them? It is important to remember why they were used in those areas. Torres banging the goals in so push Kuyt out wide. Suarez was doing well so push Bellamy out wide to get at full-backs.
I know they were used in different regimes but maybe we would be better putting players in their correct positions as opposed to re-positioning them. That said, maybe money limits and player recruitment forced these changes upon us.
Wouldn't it be better for managers to play the striker in the best position in which the striker is most comfortable and most likely to succeed? Babel had fire in him, but his Anfield career changed him game forever.
Playing Kuyt as a winger also altered his game negatively, though it may have given his career longevity.
We lost the Champions League final in 2007 because an awesome midfielder was made a striker and a striker made to come in as a sub.
Anyone who knew Mikel Obi before his Chelsea career would have sworn he was the future king of the midfield goal scorers. This actually sparked a bidding war between the mancs and chavs. Chavs turned him into some wannabe defensive midfielder. He has never measured up since.
Bottom line, when you buy a prolific goalscorer, allow him to flourish. Don't box him into a format you want him to learn to play in, he will underperform.
Rafa built the team around the Torres-Gerrard partnership AND also allowed them to play their game and express themselves.
It works better that way.
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