I thought we played through their press quite well on a couple of occasions, and I only watched the second half. This could just be Chelsea’s poor pressing though but what a difference it makes when the CBs can break through the lines or make a line breaking pass.
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He and Saka are the Vieira and Henry of this generation.
How fantastic would it have been if his strike nestled into that top corner rather than just going over!!
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He was oustanding last night. Back to his Rolls Royce best
Outstanding performance that from Saliba.
With Calafiori on the other end and I doubt we will ever see a class group of defenders like them for a while. There is so much more we can witness in coming years.
Teta just needs to figure out on how to be more dominant attackwise
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Largely agree although I do think there’s an element of change in the overall ‘meta’ from a tactical POV. City are very similar in that they have spells where they get ‘dominated’ or at the least lose control of the game for extended periods.
We have changed up a few things over the past coupe of years, obviously the focus on set pieces, a progressive move to just get bigger and stronger, more route one when necessary, our fullbacks focusing more on wide play which Pep looked keen to do as well considering he signed Ait Nouri and apparently keen on Livramento too.
World class performances against Chelsea and Inter. Makes football look so easy.
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He’a just a don.
So many times he clears the danger before it actually gets tight… being so mobile and such a good reader of the game, gets a ton of those “easy” interceptions, when he gets out high and cuts some potentially dangerous passes and plays at their begining.
Knows when to go out, but also knows when to stay back, just impressive to have that next all the other attributes he has. So comfortable in any possible situation.
He’s the most valuable asset we “own” in the squad, withoth a doubt. And no matter how good he is already you have a feeling he can go a level higher. That’s how insanely high his ceiling is.
One of the most talented defenders I’ve ever seen. Feeling proud and priviledged to have him in the squad.
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I feel like Saliba used to need Gabriel next to him in order to be at his best. Like he needed a vocal, physically dominant partner.
This season he has evolved into an absolute defensive force in his own right. Becoming a leader, a tactical focal point - he dictates how we structure our build up play. Against Inter, he was the initiator of basically everything.
We have 2 of the best CBs in the world in the same got damn partnership. I still think VVD on his day is absolute class, but based on the last 18 months, these 2 are probably the best around.
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My guy doesn’t only need Gabriel, he wishes he was him.
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Escaped some criticism it has to be said. Was part of the Zubimendi error and the failure to intercept a pass which led to the Fernandes chance at 1-0.
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If he could just stop being played in the number 10 position when we attack, that’d be great.
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https://x.com/perwilo/status/2018996159440982328?s=46&t=eJpgg6uHWRsStnASv-OePg
I like it 
It’s something I’ve called for albeit not in how you’ve phrased it :).
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I definitely take him for granted. What a fucking player.
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Wasn’t at his best today, hopefully more sharp next week.
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