Versatile players in our squad...

[daniel]

Guys I don't know if this topic will be interesting to you but I'll open it anyway.

I was wondering how many true verstile players we have in our squad, and what players can play in what positions.
It is known that Gallas is a versatile defender and that Hleb can play eithere wing and attacking midfield...
But what other players can change many positions?

Mods, if you think this topic is worth replying to please do move it...

 

[Gurgen]

I'm not sure what exactly would be discussed here.

Ok so we identify say, Rosicky, as a versatile player. Then what?

 

[sabret00the]

Gallas anywhere in defence
Baptista midfield and attack
Hleb anywhere across the centre
Rosicky anywhere across the centre
Hoyte centre back and right back

and that's about it.

 

[Big Poppa]

The question should be; Can versatility turn out to be a disadvantage?

My answer is YES. Does anyone remember the last truly versatile player that fulfilled every ounce of their potential? Kolo perhaps, but he never found any sort of consistency until he was fixed at centre-back. He can play right back and right midfield but because he's had an opportunity to prove himself so emphatically as a centre-back, most people would now laugh at the idea of Kolo playing on the right wing - even in an injury crisis.

I think Gallas called it right when he said that it's not being played in the wrong position that can restrict a player's development - it's never having an opportunity to settle for a whole season in one fixed position, and being moved around for the convenience of your manager and team-mates. Eveyone else but you!

When players like Henry, Ljungberg and Cesc all arrived at a young age they were quickly set within one position despite having arrived as so called versatile players. The Beast will do little for us in midfield compared to what he can do as an attacker playing off the frontman. Gallas can do a job at left back but at centre back he is arguably the best centre half in the world. Rosicky can play on the left wing but through the centre he is one of the most accomplished creative midfielders in Europe, as long as he's not constantly switching positions though he can become of very good player on the left side.

I think Reyes suffered for being versatile (and for the fact he has the mentality of a 5 yr old!), Wiltord, Hleb, From an England perspective, Hargreaves did too. But what I guess I'm saying is that it would be nice to see players given the opportunity to say where they feel their strongest position is and be given the chance to remain there unless it is absolutely[i/] necessarry that they change.

 

[jaguars4ever]

Gallas anywhere in defence
Baptista midfield and attack
Hleb anywhere across the centre
Rosicky anywhere across the centre
Hoyte centre back and right back

and that's about it.

You forgot Song.

Crap anywhere across the pitch.

 

[qs]

The question should be; Can versatility turn out to be a disadvantage?

My answer is YES. Does anyone remember the last truly versatile player that fulfilled every ounce of their potential? Kolo perhaps, but he never found any sort of consistency until he was fixed at centre-back. He can play right back and right midfield but because he's had an opportunity to prove himself so emphatically as a centre-back, most people would now laugh at the idea of Kolo playing on the right wing - even in an injury crisis.

I think Gallas called it right when he said that it's not being played in the wrong position that can restrict a player's development - it's never having an opportunity to settle for a whole season in one fixed position, and being moved around for the convenience of your manager and team-mates. Eveyone else but you!

When players like Henry, Ljungberg and Cesc all arrived at a young age they were quickly set within one position despite having arrived as so called versatile players. The Beast will do little for us in midfield compared to what he can do as an attacker playing off the frontman. Gallas can do a job at left back but at centre back he is arguably the best centre half in the world. Rosicky can play on the left wing but through the centre he is one of the most accomplished creative midfielders in Europe, as long as he's not constantly switching positions though he can become of very good player on the left side.

I think Reyes suffered for being versatile (and for the fact he has the mentality of a 5 yr old!), Wiltord, Hleb, From an England perspective, Hargreaves did too. But what I guess I'm saying is that it would be nice to see players given the opportunity to say where they feel their strongest position is and be given the chance to remain there unless it is absolutely[i/] necessarry that they change.

I agree with most of that.

Rosicky is far better in the centre of midfield and Baptista definitly needs to be settled in a single position, prferably up front.

Most attacking mids will be capable of playing on the wing. Fab for instance has played wide right in the past. While he can do a job there its not natural to him and he's much less effective there.

Versatility is a good thing but you should only play players wout of their best position should you have to. Like using Flamini at left back.

The Gallas issue is a much more complicated one. He is a truly versatile defender. IMO he is a better left back than Clichy. However he's a better centre half than Senderos. The next question is whos better, Senderos or Clichy. Im going with Phil. That leaves me with the complicated question of whether or not having a very good centre half pairing and a very good left back is preferable to having a world class centre half pairing and a decent left back. Im sort of swinging towards the latter right now but it'll be Clichy who answers that question for me. That said the question may be irrelevant as Gallas doesnt want to play left back all year. Morale of the story, we need another left back.

 

[Jinn]

Agree with everything you say qs, except that I think Clichy will develop much better once he is given a run in the side. Barring injuries, I think he is definite first team material.

 

[qs]

Agree with everything you say qs, except that I think Clichy will develop much better once he is given a run in the side. Barring injuries, I think he is definite first team material.

I think over time he will become very good if he can get his fitness sorted out. These long injuries have a habbit of re-occuring regularly and with no other left back once he's fit he'll never get a rest. I think its gonna take him most of the season to get his body and mind back in shape too. He's been out nearly a year now. Its a huge set back.

 

[Deano]

I hate the word versatile, I like players who play a position and play it well. You hear a lot about versatile cricketers who play in the 1 day squad for England. Many pundits believe that the downfall of the side can be directly attributed to these "Versatile " players rather than specialists.I think the same is true for football

 

[cesc18]

i think a few versatile players in the squad are useful
it helps us during injuries where we may have more than required players in one position and less in another like gallas at leftback
but for a player i dont think it s much of a help playing in different positions maybe once in a while to help the team out
gallas hleb rosicky hoyte and even baptista could come under the versatile category

 

[Fredrock]

The question should be; Can versatility turn out to be a disadvantage?

My answer is YES. Does anyone remember the last truly versatile player that fulfilled every ounce of their potential? Kolo perhaps, but he never found any sort of consistency until he was fixed at centre-back. He can play right back and right midfield but because he's had an opportunity to prove himself so emphatically as a centre-back, most people would now laugh at the idea of Kolo playing on the right wing - even in an injury crisis.

I think Gallas called it right when he said that it's not being played in the wrong position that can restrict a player's development - it's never having an opportunity to settle for a whole season in one fixed position, and being moved around for the convenience of your manager and team-mates. Eveyone else but you!

When players like Henry, Ljungberg and Cesc all arrived at a young age they were quickly set within one position despite having arrived as so called versatile players. The Beast will do little for us in midfield compared to what he can do as an attacker playing off the frontman. Gallas can do a job at left back but at centre back he is arguably the best centre half in the world. Rosicky can play on the left wing but through the centre he is one of the most accomplished creative midfielders in Europe, as long as he's not constantly switching positions though he can become of very good player on the left side.

I think Reyes suffered for being versatile (and for the fact he has the mentality of a 5 yr old!), Wiltord, Hleb, From an England perspective, Hargreaves did too. But what I guess I'm saying is that it would be nice to see players given the opportunity to say where they feel their strongest position is and be given the chance to remain there unless it is absolutely[i/] necessarry that they change.

Great post! I feel the exact same. We need a first eleven to gel together. I think, like many have said on this forum, that AW is still looking for his first eleven. When he settles on eleven starters and starts to play them week in week out we will be roaring. With Willie and Bap we are now pretty much covered on every position, but we need to find our starters. As soon as every player knows his position it will be easier for him to focus on that part of play.

 

[passenger a]

for me, a truly versatile player should be one like Zambrotta, who thrives in LB, RB, LM and RM, all of you must recall that not just his defensive work in WC is sound, but also his attacking play is much better than some so-called best LB of England (remembered that he scored against Ukraine and also hit the bar against Germany)

and the only Arsenal player getting close to such a standard has to be Gallas, others just play out of position. period.

 

[YeahBee]

Versatility often means that you can do a decent job at several positions. but often not a great job in your favourite position. Gallas an exception!

Common traits for versatile players are great stamina and a working attitude. even thou Henry is maybe our most skilled footballer and heck of an athelte I don't think he would do a decent job as a striekr. Were as Flamini could do a more sufficiant contribution on more positions

 

[Lord Dula]

Versatility often means that you can do a decent job at several positions. but often not a great job in your favourite position. Gallas an exception!

Common traits for versatile players are great stamina and a working attitude. even thou Henry is maybe our most skilled footballer and heck of an athelte I don't think he would do a decent job as a striekr. Were as Flamini could do a more sufficiant contribution on more positions

Yeah he'd make a crud streaker, particularly on those cold winter nights against Bolton etc...

It'll shrivel up to the size of an acorn.

 

[YeahBee]

oops to quick on the mind to keyboard there I meant that Henry wouldn't be good as a defender or even central midfielder.

Edit: oops again I didn't notice the humor there Dula, missed ya mate

 

[JMT]

henry, baptista,rosciky,lauren,RvP ljungberg,hleb,gallas. we have alot.