Under Arne Slot’s guidance, Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch moved from inside-half to defensive midfielder. After an impressive start to the Premier League season, he showed his development with every game, contributing to a dominant performance in the win against Manchester United.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who has improved at an unbelievable rate since his performances last season, has also started for the Dutch national team and performed well in the Nations League. It is too early to make an assessment as it is still early in the season, but supporters are buoyed by the promising nature of his game.
Liverpool alumnus and former England midfielder John Barnes, who has made over 400 appearances for Anfield, uses former Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who made his name at AC Milan and Juventus, to describe the Dutch midfielder’s performances.
“Playing Ryan Gravenberch as a number 6 is a bit like playing Pirlo in a number 6. A different type of player but more attacking, more comfortable on the ball rather than a hard working, difficult, strong defensive midfield player,”
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In terms of the ability to win the ball away alone, Japan midfielder Wataru Endo would be the better choice, but in order to play the possession-oriented football that coach Slot prefers, players with the athletic ability to bring themselves out of the opponents’ pressure and intercept them are preferred.
This may be a bit of a departure from his preference, as he originally defined Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi as the ideal man for the job, but the young midfielder, who has shown extraordinary talent since he was a teenager, is evolving and getting closer to that ideal type of player every day.
Will Gravenberch continue to develop as a ‘number six’ and become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League?