Jefferson Lerma

I never really understood this "Rafa is magic and achieved miracles with a team not fit for purpose".

They spent more than most Premier League teams when they went down for 1 season. When we came up we still had mostly our League 1 team, they had one of our if not our best player from the Championship.
 
Is Lerma the first dedicated defensive midfielder that Howe has signed across his two terms as Cherries boss?

I'm trying to think down our midfielders - certainly none signed in the modern Howe stint would qualify. O'Kane, Gosling, Surman, L.Cook, Hyndman. Thinking back to League Two/One - Marvin Bartley was signed by Bond. There was Anton Robinson who Howe signed, but he was more box to box, was slighter with a turn of pace about him.

I really don't think Howe has signed a player in this tactical role before, of the first and foremost defensive shield nature. So it begs the question whether Howe fancies he can develop Lerma to build upon his existing skill-set and add more progressive flourishes. Or whether Howe is happy to change tact slightly and have the option of a focused defensive player. I'd probably bet the former rather than the latter, but I'll be excited to see over the season.

Just a Monday morning question that occurred to me, interseted in other's thoughts
 
He knows that we need to have protection in front of our CB pairing, we have leaked too many goals, maybe it's a case of there has not been anyone out there who he thinks that could play this role.
It's just a natural progression with funds available and time spent in the PL to develop the quality of the team and squad.
 
I'm delighted with this signing - have bored myself on this site chattering about the need for a DM for at least two seasons.

Now here he is - and assuming Eddie has scouted him carefully and he's actually the biz, he could make a big difference to our results. Our biggest problem has been the tendency in midfield to surrender the ball, putting the back three/four under pressure. Lerma's job, I hope, will be to intercept, hold the ball for crucial seconds and recycle to Lewis Cook, Brooks and Co. Dare I mention Kante? ... he's the model.

Looking forward to seeing Lerma asap. Well done Eddie and the club for staying the course with Levante.

Note: Dan Gosling had a fine game against Marseille and was one of the few who performed at Forest. Has the pressure of incomings had its effect on him??
 
To be strong in this league teams need me dfield enforcer who adds bite and steel to the team...think Keane,Vieira,Mascherino and more recently Kante and Fernandinho...
 
I think you could argue that Surman was signed as a defensive midfielder. Essentially his job is to sweep up in front of the defence, intercept the ball & recycle possession, and cover defenders when they make attacking runs forward. Different to the tough tackling Kante/Lerma mould, but a defensive midfielder nonetheless.
 
The difference with Lerma to typical defensive midfielder (I would hope) is that he already has the technical attributes to play at this level too.

The example above of Keane, Vieira, Kante etc is a good one, but these were / are all good technical players way above the traditional British enforcer. I'm expecting Lerma to at least be at the same level on the ball as Surman, then having the superior defensive game too.
 
Looking at some of his clips on YouTube, he seems to be technically good and with a good eye for starting moves. Of course Eddie will develop him but he’s clearly here with a certain role in mind.
 
Physically Lerma looks the dream signing; but does anyone know if he can...pass the ball well? If he's as good at passing as he is defending from midfield, then I wouldn't be surprised if his value doubles under us.
 
It's the Carrick vs Kante debate.

There are times when our Aldi Carrick has worked well for us but others when we've been a little overrun and needed something a little more destructive.

It's particularly an issue with the exchange in the starting XI of Arter for Lewis Cook. At his best HA buzzes about the whole pitch like an angry wasp and can add bite to a midfield and still play further forward.

Cook has other qualities but he doesn't have that same level of aggression. Balancing his skills with a specialist DM may give us the cover we need further back whilst freeing him up to float around and be the creative influence further up the pitch.
 
NWCherries98 said:
Physically Lerma looks the dream signing; but does anyone know if he can...pass the ball well? If he's as good at passing as he is defending from midfield, then I wouldn't be surprised if his value doubles under us.
Click to expand...

Lies, damn lies and WhoScored.com but this is what it says:
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/133464/Show/Jefferson-Lerma

Strengths:
Aerial Duels - Very Strong
Ball interception - Strong
Blocking the ball - Strong

Weaknesses:
Holding on to the ball - Very Weak
Discipline - Very Weak
Crossing - Weak

Jefferson Lerma's Style of Play:
Likes to play short passes
Commits fouls often
 
Lerma will hopefully find the PL ever so slightly less strict on tackling and physicality than La Liga, although we're quickly heading in their direction with the lack of contact being allowed by some English officials. Something we'll have to work through with him, expect some yellows along the way.
 
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