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Kieta isn’t a holding midfielder. He is a box to box midfielder and the closest comparison we have right now is Gini Wijnaldum.
We are missing a great CDM. Most of our issues defensively come from the lack of Midfield protection and/or defensive support from Midfield. A CDM would greatly help prevent a lot of the balls even getting to our defence and even if they do, should be back helping as an ‘extra’ defender. Hendo is often not goal side of midfield runners – which then affects our defence. Should Lovren go to the ball, pick up the attacker or pick up one of the runners? Its that decision that can make our defence look very weak – if he goes to the ball, he is out of position, picks up a runner, the man on the ball has too much space and time, picks up the attacker, the runner and man on the ball have great opportunity to score.
Its similar to the issues that Moreno often got blamed for – being to far up the pitch when Hendo (for example) has the ball – offering width and space to attack down the left BUT then Hendo loses the ball and Moreno is out of position…
I know I keep mentioning Hendo but he is often our number 6 and often either at fault directly or indirectly as to why we concede as he rarely is goal side, going with runners etc. Doesn’t have the skill to beat players if pressured and often doesn’t pick the ‘best’ ball/pass either which often gives the opposition the ball. Granted a lot of his passes are ‘short’ and ‘easy’ balls which may give him ‘decent’ passing stats but if we had a ‘Kante’ for example, we wouldn’t have as many defensive issues.