Quote Originally Posted by Marc Overmars View Post
Caicedo is more of a Kante type, strong engine and a great tackler. What we’d lose without Partey though is that press resistance and ability to play in tight areas. I think it was Mandela who said the other day sometimes players are just so good at what they do you just have to accept you’ll suffer without them regardless.
And I don’t think Partey is always press resistant, I think the Liverpool and United press found him wanting at times when we played at the Emirates. In fact outside of this season I know plenty of times when he’s been in the team where we’ve had to affect a deep block to stop being overwhelmed.

The issue is we lack defensive midfield cover, certainly without him and yes arguably with him. In relation to someone like Tielemans being brought in as cover, we have players in that position…Xhaka, Zinchenko, arguably even Lokonga. But we don’t have anyone who is as good at winning the ball. Now I accept that’s not what all Partey does, but I do think it’s the most irreplaceable facet of his game