It is pretty much an open secret that Louis van Gaal is looking to sign a new first choice centre back for Manchester United. Names such as Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi have been linked with moves to Old Trafford, and they would certainly bring some steel and assertiveness to the United defence.
However, those moves have not materialised so far, and van Gaal has gone into pre-season experimenting in defence. With Marcos Rojo still on holiday after being on duty at the Copa America for Argentina, a surprise name has occupied the centre back role during the two pre-season games that the Reds have played so far.
Daley Blind started the games against Club America and San Jose Earthquakes alongside Phil Jones, and looked relatively assured in defence, although he could have easily given away a penalty against Club America, after bringing down Miguel Samudio in the area.
The decision to play Blind at centre back may just be a move to allow the Dutchman to gain playing time, but it isn’t out of the question that Blind may be the solution to van Gaal’s problems. Here’s three reasons why Blind could possibly be the Reds’ first choice centre back next season:
1. A stacked midfield
Last season, Blind got regular opportunities in midfield, whether at the base as a defensive midfielder or as a wing-back pushing further forward. With little or no competition due to injuries and various other reasons, Blind was able to cement a spot in the first XI more often than not. This season however, the midfielder has undergone a significant retooling. With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin joining the ranks along with a fully fit Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera already at the club, Blind will find it difficult to break into the side with such quality ahead of him, and if van Gaal does in fact use him in midfield, it will most probably be as a squad player, and that brings us to the next point.
2. Blind’s versatility
It is this quality that highly increases Blind’s value to the manager. Being able to play in defensive midfield, left-back, as well as further forward as a wing-back has showcased the 25-year old’s ability to adapt to a new position. In a recent interview with Mark Froggatt for the official Manchester United website, he refused to say which position is the toughest to play at.
“That is difficult to answer. Every position has its own demands and every position has its own difficulties. I don’t think there is one position that is more difficult. Every player has to be aware of what he has to do in that position and he has to be good in that position. Everything is different. If you play me as a striker, it is difficult for me but, if you play me in midfield, then it is easier for me. Every player has his own position so I don’t think there is one that is the most difficult,” he said.
Blind is certainly aware that he has his strengths and weaknesses, and it isn’t an impossible task to successfully adapt to a new position, for example Gareth Bale turning into a world-class winger after starting out as a left-back. Blind also has a bit of experience playing in a centre-back type role, having done so at Ajax.
Although in simple terms Blind played as a defensive midfielder in Frank de Boer’s 4-3-3 formation, it would transition into a 2-3-2-3 formation while in attack, with the full-backs bombing forward and Blind dropping into a half-back role alongside Niklas Moisander and Joel Veltman. Despite not being particularly pacey, Blind fit in perfectly because he was mobile enough to cover the space left by the full-backs and his passing range was among the best in the squad and the Eredivisie.
3. Saves money on a potential new CB
Blind’s conversion into a centre-back would certainly save United a lot of money. Although Ramos and Otamendi are the type of high class defender the Reds are looking to sign, they would inevitably cost an absolute fortune. In order to sign Ramos, United would probably have to organise some sort of swap deal including David de Gea and a whole bucketload of cash, seeing as Real are intent on bringing the local boy back to his hometown – something that van Gaal would most definitely want to avoid at all costs. Otamendi, meanwhile, would cost less than Ramos, but wouldn’t come on the cheap either, with Valencia looking for a fee that would match his reported £35 million release clause. The 27-year old Argentinian would also be a great addition to the squad, but it remains to be seen whether van Gaal is actually looking to sign him.
Comparisons with Smalling, Rojo and Jones
Looking at the statistics gathered from Squawka, it is clear that Blind is more than a match for the likes of Smalling, Rojo and Jones. The Dutchman tops the interceptions charts, on average making 3.24 interceptions per game, just ahead of Jones. Blind also ranks second in tackles won per game, winning 1.72 tackles, which put him behind Jones, who won 0.14 tackles more than the 25-year old.
If there is one major weakness about Daley Blind playing in the centre back role, it has to be his heading and strength. Standing at a mere 5’11”, he is certainly smaller than most normal centre backs, and it shows in the statistics. He ranked last in aerial duels won, winning a paltry 1.24 duels per game, compared to Smalling who was top in the charts, winning 2.68 duels per game.
Conclusion
On first glance, it would perhaps be a counter-productive move to put Blind at centre-back. The Dutchman is not what you would call a prototypical centre-back, and one would think that his lack of pace and strength would be exposed in the harsh environment of the Premier League. Admittedly, Blind did say in that interview for the official Manchester United website I mentioned earlier that if there was one attribute he would take from a teammate, it would be Memphis Depay’s or one of the central defenders’ strength.
However, it would be foolish to write off Blind’s chances of becoming first choice centre-back this season. Players with a similar stature and build to Blind, such as Javier Mascherano, have successfully converted from defensive midfield to a centre-back role, and van Gaal has dropped hints that his fellow countryman could be the solution to United’s defensive woes.
When asked after the first pre-season game against Club America whether Blind would play more at centre-back this season, he said: “It could be, it could be. I want to play always with a left-footed central defender and he can do the job. Maybe he shall play. But other players can play there. Last year I played with Jones and Smalling in that position. Even McNair has played there. But my preference is always a left-footed central defender. In Rojo and Blind, we have two players who can play there.”
With moves for either Ramos or Otamendi not materialising at the moment, and Phil Jones not being the most convincing of defenders at times, one could say that Blind has a fighting chance of becoming United’s first choice centre back by the time the Premier League season kicks off on August 8th.
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