In a week dominated by discussions about central midfielders in football, Roy Hodgson expressed his satisfaction with the options available to him at Crystal Palace.
After Jefferson Lerma's impressive Premier League debut last weekend against Sheffield United, where he partnered with Palace's Player of the Season Cheick Doucouré, Hodgson praised his team's midfield dynamics during his press conference ahead of the Arsenal match.
With a smile, the manager remarked, "You saw it on Saturday [at Sheffield United]. I don't believe that either Doucouré or Lerma are simply defensive midfielders. They both bring more to their game than just that role."
"They are No. 6s, if we categorize players by numbers in the modern game, but I wouldn't label [Arsenal's] Declan Rice as a typical No. 6. He's an exceptionally skilled central midfielder."
Hodgson continued, "That's how I'd describe Lerma and Doucouré: accomplished central midfielders who understand how to operate in that area and, fortunately, are also well-versed in the defensive responsibilities of the position."
Delving into Lerma's strengths, Hodgson elaborated, "He was named Player of the Season at Bournemouth last year. He doesn't possess glaring weaknesses in his game. He's high-energy, hard-working, and a team-oriented player—qualities that every coach and manager desires."
"We can only hope that he continues integrating within our team structure. He's made an excellent start. He has connected well with his teammates and our work ethic. Currently, everything about Jefferson Lerma is overwhelmingly positive."
"For all players, it ultimately comes down to their performance on the field. So far, he's delivered for us in three matches: 60 minutes against Millonarios, 90 minutes against Sevilla, and 90 minutes against Sheffield United. If I could bottle and replicate those performances in his future games, we would be in a good position."
0 Comments