Sainz

Needs to see a sports psychologist I think. Has so much more potential, but only if he can crack his impulse that it’s all about him. I’ll just beat these three men and lash one in the top corner. I’ll just beat these two doubling up on me in injury time and score the second. No need to pass to that team mate, I’ll score instead. Couple that with his belief that if he loses the ball it’s only because he’s been fouled and the ref has missed it, and you have a combination of things that are sizeable barriers to him bringing the impact that he’s capable of. And I think it’s all in his head.

An unfair comparison I know, but I think of Salah. Yes, scores a lot of worldies because of his incredible talent (and to be clear, not suggesting Sainz is in the same league). But assists as many as he scores and is always bringing in team mates and putting things on a plate. If you always knew Salah was never going to pass, he’d still be hard to stop, but it would be much easier.

Posted By: Under soil heating, Mar 2, 08:58:53