The development of Ryan Babel

[Benitez]

I like the way Rafa has brought him through so far this season.

 

He had a bit of a rough patch earlier in the season, and it was almost like Rafa took him out of the spotlight. Then he's been bringing him on in games we'd already pretty much won, and he's really shone in them. He's looking better and better for that, seems to have given him a lot of confidence, and he's getting a few goals as well.

 

I like the look of him!

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

Sometimes he can look awesome, sometimes he can look very poor.

 

He has the ability to be a top class player and I think Rafa is developing him correctly. He's also scored 5 goals this season, which is a far better return than Nani who cost a lot more money.

[alias75]

Oozes class, the way he moves the way he controls the ball, still very young but we're going to have a top player once those rough edges are smoothed and the more experience at this level he gets.

 

Perfect sub at the moment, coming on with the game stretched.

[Cooger]

But where is his best position?

 

Not sure it's on the left.

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

But where is his best position?

 

Not sure it's on the left.

 

Upfront I reckon, with the license to drift about.

[abc]

Made all the wrong decisions on Wed night I thought, Benayoun was unlucky to have been taken off instead of Babel. He is a talent though, but it seems like when he is on the ball he's about half as quick as when he doesn't have it. He will develop as the season progresses, and as long as the goals keep rolling in he will gain confidence...

[alias75]

I reckon as a striker drifting out wide, maybe he plays better in a 4-3-3?

 

but i think he has the potential to be a Henry type striker, not someone that plays through the middle but drifting wide and dragging defenders around.

[Bo Benn]

But where is his best position?

 

Not sure it's on the left.

 

Wouldn't say he's exactly poor at the left, but he's not a left midfielder. More of a wide attacker imo. Think he's brilliant in challenging defender just outside the box. Also lately he seems to be somewhat of a tap-in master, but that might be because we've been cruising in the games where he has come on.

Edited December 2, 2007 by obey Hysén

[Guest Anders Honoré]

incredibly raw still. Not convinced he's anything more than a part time player for the foreseeable future.

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

incredibly raw still. Not convinced he's anything more than a part time player for the foreseeable future.

 

He has that knack of scoring goals which bodes well for him. I am not convinced he's a winger though. Should be used as a striker.

[Guest RedLegend]

He's done brilliantly coming off the bench. Nearly always makes an impact after he comes on. Not so much in games he's started but you can see the talent there.

[Benitez]

incredibly raw still. Not convinced he's anything more than a part time player for the foreseeable future.

 

if he carries on like this, then that sounds just fine to me

[Guest Anders Honoré]

if he carries on like this, then that sounds just fine to me

 

for the price we've paid I am hoping there's a lot more to come from him than being an impact sub.

 

I'm not saying he won't come good and for sure, he looks good coming off the bench as he did today and in occasional spells otherwise, but he quite some improvement to do become a regular, imo. Still, he's young and has time on his side. I am not expecting much from him until next season though.

Edited December 2, 2007 by Anders Honoré

[Raj]

I reckon as a striker drifting out wide, maybe he plays better in a 4-3-3?

 

but i think he has the potential to be a Henry type striker, not someone that plays through the middle but drifting wide and dragging defenders around.

 

 

Spot on.

[Falconhoof]

He's going to be class, little raw due to age and inexperience, but he has everything in him to be a world class player.

Pennant is going to have to up his game to get a game when he's fit.

Those who were questioning his quality in the other Babel thread, I wonder how many have changed their minds now they have seen a bit more from Babel ?

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

He's going to be class, little raw due to age and inexperience, but he has everything in him to be a world class player.

Pennant is going to have to up his game to get a game when he's fit.

Those who were questioning his quality in the other Babel thread, I wonder how many have changed their minds now they have seen a bit more from Babel ?

 

I wasn't convinced. I have a more confidence in him now, still has a lot to do though.

[Dee]

I'm still not convinced

[David Hodgson]

Set aside the fee, and imagine he was a 19/20 year old kid who'd come through the ranks and was now just starting to get games - I think we'd be wetting ourselves over him.

 

Remember Ronaldos first season at the Mancs ? The same level of hit and miss.

 

He has the balance of John Barnes, and that's enough for me, for now ......

[Stevie H]

starting to look a threat every time he gets the ball. good lad.

[David Hodgson]

starting to look a threat every time he gets the ball. good lad.

 

Yep, and you can't argue with his goalscoring. 5 in in 9 or 10 starts ? It bodes very exciting.

[MFletcher]

He skips past players as though they're not even there sometimes. Rafa is blooding him into the team in exactly the right way. I think he's going to be a superstar in the next few years - the dribbling, the shot, the technique... he has it all. I'm really, really excited by how good he could become for us.

[Dee]

he also looks like he'll fall over his own legs and a bit dozy

[ZZZZ]

plus I really like his kanck of being in the right place to finish moves

[Molby]

he also looks like he'll fall over his own legs and a bit dozy

that's enough now Dee

[Maldini]

His touch is still a bit heavy and he's hesitant when he first gets the ball, but the potential is there to see.