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The
Frenchman was a fierce tackler, a ferocious midfield terrier and above all an
aggressive ball winner. Such were the former Real Madrid and Chelsea
midfielders ball winning abilities, a special term was coined after him in the
early 2000s, the Makalele role.
With the central defensive midfielder being one of the most crucial positions in
any tactical setup today, we take a look at Arsenals Francis Coquelin and
Manchester Uniteds summer signing Morgan Schneiderlin and compare the two
Frenchmen based on stats.
I would like to state at first that Coquelin and Schneiderlin are not like to like
players. The former is an effective defensive midfielder with limited passing
range while the latter reads the game perfectly, puts in tackles more often, has
an enviable passing array but isnt a great interceptor in the middle of the park.
So why the comparison? Earlier tactical expert Michael Cox had written in ESPN
that he feels Coquelin disrupts Arsenals fluidity and it might be better off if the
24 year old is replaced by club captain Mikel Arteta to enable the Gunners having
a ball player in the middle. While I completely agree with Cox in this regard given
Arsene Wengers selection dilemmas in accommodating Aaron Ramsey and Santi
Cazorla in the side, he fails to look at the bigger picture.
I cannot stress enough on Arsenals need of a defensive midfielder and the
reasons have been well documented by many. Coquelin is like a modern day
Makalele who reads the game well, has the most average interceptions in a
game but fails to pick out his team mate lacking a dynamic passing range. This
however doesnt mean that he should be dropped with Arteta getting the nod.
Firstly, the former Everton man is not a defensive midfielder but he rather
morphed his passing ability to now become a holder but one who is shy on
tackling.
Patrick Vieira too never had great passing ability but was the Invincibles Engine
Room. Vieira was as fit as a butchers dog, could dictate the tempo of the game,
score when forwards failed and above all created chances too being a box to box
midfielder. This is exactly what Yaya Toure provides to Manchester City. Its true
that Coquelin doesnt create enough like Ramsey or Cazorla, misplaces passes
quite too often, so what? Makalele was also made the same mistakes yet
achieved legendary status.
Arsene Wenger could easily shift to a 4-3-3 diamond if he is to solve the
problems that Coxs highlights. The trio of Ramsey, Cazorla and Coquelin could
rotate in their positions with Mesut Ozil in the number ten role. Alexis Sanchez
and Theo Walcott would pull the strings playing from the wings and then cut
inside playing in advanced roles.
Schneiderlin on the other hand had his best season last term for Southampton
alongside anchorman Victor Wanyama. He is more of a box to box player but
rather than a defensive midfielder, he plays slightly further up the pitch (More