Nemanja Matic

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

There was one moment when one second he's making a defense splitting pass, the next he's closing down the opposition player deep in Schalke's half. Outrageously dynamic footballer is Nemanja. Love the guy.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

He plays nothing like Makalele though. Makalele couldn't dream of being able to press the opposition like Matic does.

Yet Matic couldn't dream of being able to read the game as Claude could.

Both are different players with different abilities and we should be blessed we are getting their best out of them whilst they were/are here.

[blu35_army 551]

we would say big thanks to Benfica that create a monster in 4 years,,it's prove that regular playing time will improve your skills and mentally...

now,,if he can improve his long shoots than we don't need Pogba in the next 4-6 years...

[rohitmohanihm 39]

He comes from Serbia, he'll fekin murder ya!

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Yet Matic couldn't dream of being able to read the game as Claude could.

Both are different players with different abilities and we should be blessed we are getting their best out of them whilst they were/are here.

Maybe if you mythologize his ability to read the game, but Matic is also incredible in this department, he's one of the best midfielders in the world. He's always in the right place at the right time whether covering vacated spaces for others, positioning himself to make interceptions or closing down the opposition's spaces. Makalele was supreme in both the former but not at all in the latter partly due to his lack of athleticism.

The point is Matic a more dynamic player than Makalele ever was and that's what makes him better. He's literally a complete holding midfielder, interceptions, tackling, heading, covering, positional awareness, pressing, even bonuses like passing, vision, dribbling! I can't remember a player like that in recent times since Patrick Viera. Both absolute stallions running with the ball, covering every blade of grass and dominating the centre of the pitch. There are differences between Viera and Matic obviously, but it's a more apt comparison than Matic/Makalele.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Maybe if you mythologize his ability to read the game, but Matic is also superb in this department. The point is he's a more dynamic player than Makalele ever was and that's what makes him better.

Erm.. In the last 15 years Paolo Maldini was the only footballer to intercept more passes than Claude. And you are seriously undermining Makelele never mind comparing two players who's roles are completely different.

But carry on.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,064]

we would say big thanks to Benfica that create a monster in 4 years,,it's prove that regular playing time will improve your skills and mentally...

Maybe Benfica's biggest contribution to Matic's development was their coach's brilliant realisation that the Serbian's best role is CM, not AM. Matic might not have earned a place in their side as an AM. Indeed I read that he was not a regular until he was switched to CM. Since the switch however, it's a whole other story.

By the way, Matic was at Benfica for 3 years not 4.

[Special Juan 28,132]

The big fuck off insurance policy at the heart of the midfield.

Ladies and gentlemen......Namanja Matic.

[DanishBlue 426]

Matic just won the Serbian footballer of the year.

Congrats!

[Whiskey 173]

This guy is a fucking beast. EXACLY what we were looking for and lacking in the DM position for so long.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

give this man a new contract with improved salary he deserved

[Tomo 21,751]

The best part about his game is if a pass isn't on he just dribbles forward almost effortlessly, although i don't think Mikel is as bad as general opinion suggest's, Matic is just on a complete different level.

[the wes 7,212]

Still cant believe we got him from Benfica in january for 25m...

I remember he was rated around 40m and we paid half less in traditionaly more expensive winter market. Unbelievable piece of bussiness.

i cant believe we sold matic to benfica we could have saved £21m

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

i cant believe we sold matic to benfica we could have saved £21m

Benfica made him the player he is today.

[the wes 7,212]

Benfica made him the player he is today.

fair point mate we should have loan him out till benfica and saved £21m then