Wearyourblue

Enzo was 6th in completed passes this world cup and 3rd for midfielders. Had a .945 rate. he was 75/78 against england. Also, does a lot of work off the ball to get open. Speed, sprints and savesThe quickest speed recorded by any player eligible for Sunday's final is the 35.2 km/h achieved by Argentina’s Giuliano Simeone. However, it’s that man Rodri who has compiled the most high-intensity runs (919) of any World Cup 2026 player, and Spain full-back Cucurella the most sprints of any finalist (304) – with Fernandez (294) not far behind in the latter category. There is no available index for speed of thought … but no prizes for guessing the market leader. Rodri and Fernandez also show up well in terms of movement, ranking second and fifth for offers to receive (with 389 and 342 respectively). Rodri (232) is joined by Argentina duo Alexis Mac Allister (182) and Messi (179) in the top five for receptions under pressure, meanwhile, and Spain’s Yamal (27) and Argentina’s Nico Gonzalez (23) are the front two for receptions in behind. More generally, it may not be the passing carousel of Spain's tiki taka heyday, but expect plenty of movement nevertheless.

Isn't Alonso expected to use a 3-4-2-1? Wouldn't that devalue Cucu anyway?

was quality today

Sure most proven prevention for lowering ACL injuries both in men and women are strengthening the lower body, balancing glutes, quads and hamstrings and fixing the gait. Our AI friend "Tested ACL prevention programs, such as the FIFA 11+ and PEP program, focus on neuromuscular training, reducing injury risk by up to 50% through improved strength, balance, and landing mechanics." Lower body strength, body mass relative to lower body strength and fatigue are causes. If we have shown that improving balance and body mechanics significantly improves injury reduction, its not a stretch to say having worse balance and body mechanics increases risk. Chilwell's ACL if I recall was a contact injury, partial tear and he had a very fast recovery IIRC. Both Colwill's and Fofana's were much much worse. Traore's an interesting player I've always wondered if his size helps him or hurts him. But he is so strong in the lower body. The differences between men's and women's ACL injuries is interesting because a women's cycle is very significant: I know people studying this trying to figure out if the differences are due mostly to hormones, elasticity, or blood oxygen during a women's cycle. Also women footballers are known to have quad hamstring imbalances way more than men. As well women do have some extra upper body mass that can change their gait. Conclusion: ACL tear risk in skiing in women is not constant over the menstrual cycle, being 2.4-fold more frequent in pre-ovulatory (follicular and ovulatory) than post-ovulatory phase (luteal). Oral contraception seems not to exert any protective effect.

Basically my point on Estevao, most player gain upper body mass. I've seen multiple ACL's from putting on upper body muscle. Your weight affects your gait, all of our players with long term injuries are stronger young guys with lots of muscle. It's a running sport, you carry extra weight, you fatigue differently and your gait reacts. Colwill, Fofana, James, Guiu, Tosin, Essugo, Sarr and Lavia are our heaviest players. Tosin has the age and height for his weight, Guiu has been clean, Sarr hasn't had any premier league minutes all others have had a share of lower body injury issues.

Honestly if Strasbourg make Europe next year could see selling both Disasi and Badiashile to Strasbourg. Both French, the wages would be towards the top, but I could see them being a decent duo in the French league with consistent play. The more experienced players there it would serve Strasbourg to start feeling like their own and help develop our loanees. Just turn them into the AC Milan of France.

Honestly could be a big reason to manage his minutes, if he adds muscle weight, his body will need to adapt to avoid injury.

So Cucurella is supposed to defend two while Badi just watches.

Player order Colwill, Fofana, Guiu, James, Tosin, Essugo, Lavia Sorted the team by weight, wonder if we have too many guys trying to bulk up for the physicality and it's causing long term issues. Out of our 7 heaviest field players 5 of them have had significant long term injuries. Palmer is 8th, but both Tosin and Palmer are a bit taller than their comps in for weight / position.

I don't want James as a RB for a whole 90 right now, I don't think his hamstrings would last a season. If we have a lead and don't need him to go forward as much it works.

Cucu has locked down both Salah and Yamal on the defensive side, and brought more to the attack than either of those players. Just immense.

Thought Santos was great, but man have to give it to Neto. He got the goal, had a shot saved to just hit the post, almost assisted Gittens, almost assited Gusto, and nice run and pass to lead to the second goal.

Not sure why you'd play him over Enzo, if nothing else the Pedro/Delap combo hasn't done well, move Enzo up to the 10 and Pedro to the 9 and play Santos over Delap

I go in the order listed A,B,C,D,E A's just too hard to break down, and could score. B, I'd like them better with Jorginho or Kovacic over Anelka, and Bonetti over Mendy C, Looks like the best of the lot with the ball, but maybe the worst without it D I'd like them better with Jorginho or Kovacic over Vialli. C could be a whole lot better; Osgood over Hughes, Cooke over Stirling, and would prefer Matic to Mata for our Chelsea turned Man U players.

Not necessarily disagreeing, just feel like if Birmingham is an unsafe area for anyone, then they shouldn't be able to host European football. If a city can't handle everyone then at minimum a change of venue should happen. I just think it's pure cowardice on UEFA's part IMO to let this happen and opens a slippery slope.