Real Madrid icons discuss Casemiro's centre-back proposition
Posted Friday, September 01, 2017 by Marca.com
Casemiro played as a centre-back against Valencia and position specialists such as Fernando Hierro, Ivan Helguera and Ricardo Gallego note that such a change shouldn't be regarded as panacea.
With Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Jesus Vallejo sidelined, Zinedine Zidane chose the Brazilian midfielder to feature in Real Madrid's backline for the recent draw with Valencia..
Los Blancos legend Hierro, a master of changing positions on the field, noted that such an adjustment could prove difficult for any player.
"It's not easy to get used to the change overnight, as you need time and games," he said.
"As a resource, Casemiro can play in that position, but it shouldn't be a solution."
According to Helguera, the Brazil international has the potential to become a solid centre back although he is a natural midfielder.
"In his case it is clear that his position is that of a midfielder," he noted.
"What happens is that he is a physical beast, he has so much strength and power that if they put him in a central position for some matches he would learn to be a centre-back."
Gallego, who featured in various defensive positions including that of the libero, stated that, over the years, multi-position players have been extinguished.
"There is a lot of responsibility for football players and there is more responsibility for the centre-backs, as they are surrounded by players and they only have the goalkeeper behind them," he explained.
"Players who play in various positions are disappearing.
"Now they are all specialists [in one position] and they don't want to change positions so as not to take risks to lose theirs."
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