In terms of raw ability, Babel has loads of it. The lad is incredibly skillful, he's faster than Torres, and has excellent shooting ability. However, he's still a work in progress when it comes to his tactical awareness and consistency.
At the start of summer it looked like Babel might be leaving LFC, but things have changed since then. Rafa has said that he's very impressed with how Babel's mentality has developed this year and wants to keep him.
Considering that the World Cup is coming up next summer, I'm sure Babel must be dying to play a part in that. Imagine how serious he must be about fighting for his place knowing that a place in the World Cup is at stake.
Remember Babel is still very young, and at just 22 years of age, he's still maturing as a player. Rafa knows better than any of us what Babel is capable of, and importantly has faith in him to develop.
We've already been treated to moments of sheer brilliance from Babel (his first ever goal for us is something I'll never forget). And a more mature, confident and driven Babel should ensure that we're in for a real treat this season.
16 comments:
Nice article mate, totally agree.
Well said. Alot of people fail to realize hust how young Babel is and expect him to be the finished article. Babel is so talented and will become a much better player over the next couple years. Benitez is very smart to hang onto him.
i dont doubt that he is talented... but there is just something criticial missing whenever you see him play... i kinda liken it to that old saying of square pegs in rounds holes... except i dont know whats out of place at the moment wif him... it could be his playing in the wrong position and should be utilized as a striker... it could be his a confidence type player and needs his confidence back... it could just be that he is still very young... or it may even be other things such as his private life... whatever it is... something is missing... but there is no doubting he has so much potential you can drool over... the key is to be able to unlock it...
I think its a confidence thing and once thats sorted he will be one hell of a player who could be worth €30mil
I think its simply that he has not been given a run of games he needs, plus the fact that he is a striker who is being played out of position and told to chase back which to me does not come under a strikers job discription. I say let the lad have 10-15 games in a row along side torres and give him some incouragement along the way and watch him flourish because he is that good....
russell he clearly isn't 'that good' if he needs 15 games to get into the rythem, lets be honest he is an average player at the mo, he can't tackle, needs to improve his movement and his first touch, the fact is he is played on the left at the mo is to help him delvelop, to learn more tactical awareness, to give him time to improve his touch and ability to beat a player, also tracking back is a very important part of the game if he is up front or on the wing, when have you ever seen torres just standing there and not putting pressure on the oppositions CBs, high work rate is a trade mark of benitez's teams yes he will prob be a great player in the future but he really isn't yet, sorry to burst your bubble,
@suley - I hope it's just a confidence thing but am excited that he wants to stay at LFC and fight for his place with the world cup next year. Just goes to show the lad might have a new found self-belief...
@russell - his future at LFC is realistically on the wings and as cover for Torres and Gerrard.
@rick - I really hope he improves his work rate this season, the lad just has so much potential.
I've got nothing against Babel but I really don't think he will be with Liverpool beyond next season.
He will never be a real world class player but I can see him being a big impact player for us this year.
After the world cup Benitez will just cash in on him and get someone more dependable and tactically aware to replace him.
@Larry - that's probably how it will play out, but none of us will be complaining if he has a decent season and in the process helps us to win #19 ;-)
I thought Babel had a good first year, but was not good enough last season. I was expecting him to take the next step last season and that just did not happen. The only real highlight from him was kicking the winning goal against Manure at Anfield.
I agree with the comments in the article and that he might become a great player one day. Last season he just seemed lost whenever he got the ball and did not know what to do with it. I can remember him getting tackled so many time and giving the ball away, or passing it to the opposition. His attacking thrusts with the ball were wasted more often than not and I found it very frustrating to watch him.
In his defence though he hardly ever started and was usually only given 15 minutes when he did come on. Rafa put Ngog on before him on a few occasions, and I don't think that would have done his confidence much good.
I am not sure how he will turn out in the future, he might be a decent really player in the future and I think its a good decision to give him at least one more year to prove his worth. He did cost about 10 million pounds as well, so at present we probably only recoup about half of that.
@Scott - speaking of Ngog, I wonder how he's going to progress this season, plus Nemeth will want his shot at the first team also. Some healthy competition there.
I know Babel had a dodgy season but I think (hope) we could see something special this year.
I want him to do well but he always seems to make the wrong decision. when he should be driving at the defence and running at them he lays the ball off and when he should be laying the ball off he passes.
I think part of the problem lies in the fact he seems to think after he's taken it round a player he has the right to shoot even if the option of laying it off to someone in a better position is there. Kind of annoys me everytime I watch him play.
If he does score it's always a good goal (we'll let off that winner he scored gainst the red scum where he seemed to miss-hit it into the ground, cause it was an important goal).
i liked babel even before he came to us. he had an excellent euro championship and we beat off Arsenal to his signature.He hasnt lived up to his potential yet but weve had glimpses of his talent, his goal against Derby was first class.I think he will have a good season this year given the chance. im very worried about all the talk of Mascherano and alonso leaving though.How could we replace them with similar or better talent, i cant think of a better player than either who we could prize away from a club.we are going to need them with the Gerrad saga going on. Just when it looked like the league was coming back home.
@Azza - yeah, it's very very frustrating when he does those kind of things, but Rafa seems to think he can develop the tactical side of his game.
He'll probably still frustrate us at times this season, but I hope for the most part he'll be a better player overall.
Rafa is obviously always trying to be tactically astute.
Playing Babel regularly (which is what Ryan needs) is perhaps too adventurous for the Spaniard.
Babel should emerge this season and here is the definitive discussion on the matter
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