[Albion] Diego Coppola (Italian CB)

[Eeyore]

This is further confirmation for me that JPVH is off. And he also told my mate he was.

I think my cat was on the wall at the time of the conversation. Or so it told me.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

This is further confirmation for me that JPVH is off. And he also told my mate he was.

Jimmy Hill is alive

 

[Hugo Rune]

Yer I think we have to go for him at the price although the AI scout doesn't seem to think he will fit into our style of play !


Playing style
Coppola is a traditional Italian centre-back with modern traits. He is strong in the air, composed under pressure, and has excellent positioning. He rarely dives into tackles and prefers to intercept by reading the game. Coaches praise his maturity, discipline, and ability to defend deep without losing shape.

Strengths
•Aerial duels
•Defensive positioning
•Interceptions and blocks
•Physical strength
•Game awareness

Areas to improve
•Progressive passing
•Long-range distribution under pressure
•Comfort on the ball when pressed
•Speed in recovery against fast attackers

Notable stats per 90 minutes
•Clearances: 6
•Interceptions: 2
•Successful aerial duels: 70 percent
•Pass completion: 82 percent (but only 4 percent forward pass accuracy)

Tactical fit
Ideal for teams using a low or mid block. Fits well into a back three or a conservative four-man defense. Not yet suited to systems requiring advanced ball progression from the back line.

Scouting verdict
Coppola is a composed young defender with Serie A experience and youth international pedigree. While his passing game needs refinement, his tactical awareness and physical presence make him a valuable defensive prospect with top-flight potential.

This guy talks a lot of sense:

 

[Ali_rrr]

This guy talks a lot of sense:

Seems to be a Brighton fan but thinks a 5 at the back is season ending if one of Boscagli, van Hecke and Coppola gets injured.

Dunk and Webster both played comfortably in a 5 under Potter.

 

[The Fits]

Not sure we’ve seen any real evidence Fab wants us playing 3 at the back. Certainly not 3 orthodox CBs.

 

[pigmanovich]

Not in the starting 11 for their game tonight against Moldova. Didn’t see the game but hopefully not a reflection of his performance in their hammering on Friday.

Came off the bench at 83’ against Moldova.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

so at what point do we all get into a mad panic that this means JPVH is going? The curse is going to strike.

I have just had a meeting cancelled so I have a bit of time so I might spend it having a mad panic.

Panicking? No, I've completely accepted it. Feels an awful lot of naivety on this board about JPVH, the kid is going to the very top of the game and could see a record price for a defender this summer.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Not sure we’ve seen any real evidence Fab wants us playing 3 at the back. Certainly not 3 orthodox CBs.

I've seen evidence that we won't. Fulham away last season!

 

[Justice]

We should be signing CB’s that defend spaces rather than a back to wall type like this player looks like he is.
If you want to play the pressing game it’s crucial your CB can defend the space behind him. Dunks not to clever at it Webster is much better as is JPVH.
VVD is a master at it we don’t need Shane Dufffy type defenders anymore.

Interestingly Igor is good at playing the role and he’s a very good passer of the ball when in possession. Yet many don’t rate him and think we need a new CB. Probably why RDZ wanted him in.

 

[Hugo Rune]

We should be signing CB’s that defends spaces rather than a back to wall type like this player looks like he is.
If you want to play the pressing game it’s crucial your CB can defend the space behind him. Dunks not to clever at it Webster is much better as is JPVH.
VVD is a master at it we don’t need Shane Dufffy type defenders anymore.

Interestingly Igor is good at playing the role and he’s a very good passer of the ball when in possession. Yet many don’t rate him and think we need a new CB. Probably why RDZ wanted him in.

This is a good write up on young Diego.

Everything Brighton fans need to know about Diego Coppola | Talk Seagulls

Brighton close in on a new Italian centre-back for around €10 million. So what could he bring to the South Coast side?

talkseagulls.com

I think you have a really valid point on how we defend space where it be 'in behind' or 'on the flanks'. I don't think that this chap solves this issue as you rightly suggest but if he is in the right system, I think he'll be highly effective. His positioning skills seem to have the potential to be elite. You don't need to be as quick in pace if you are quick in the head.

It seemed that we conceded a hell of a lot of goals on the break. I think consistency in our defensive selection would really help this. Our back 4 seemed to change every match as apart from JPvH, they all seemed to pick up constant injuries. That is what we should be trying to fix.

 

[Justice]

This is a good write up on young Diego.

Everything Brighton fans need to know about Diego Coppola | Talk Seagulls

Brighton close in on a new Italian centre-back for around €10 million. So what could he bring to the South Coast side?

talkseagulls.com

I think you have a really valid point on how we defend space where it be 'in behind' or 'on the flanks'. I don't think that this chap solves this issue as you rightly suggest but if he is in the right system, I think he'll be highly effective. His positioning skills seem to have the potential to be elite. You don't need to be as quick in pace if you are quick in the head.

It seemed that we conceded a hell of a lot of goals on the break. I think consistency in our defensive selection would really help this. Our back 4 seemed to change every match as apart from JPvH, they all seemed to pick up constant injuries. That is what we should be trying to fix.

Personally think at the moment
FH can’t get the press right we get done on the break because the CB’s aren’t close enough to each other and not close enough to the midfielder’s leaving a large gap between the lines to exploit. Get that right and we might be getting somewhere.
All teams we played against targeted the same area some we out scored others we didn’t.
Don’t see how an old fashioned CB or Cashin are going to help tbh. That’s £20m that could have purchased one player that is exactly what we do need.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Personally think at the moment
FH can’t get the press right we get done on the break because the CB’s aren’t close enough to each other and not close enough to the midfielder’s leaving a large gap between the lines to exploit. Get that right and we might be getting somewhere.
All teams we played against targeted the same area some we out scored others we didn’t.
Don’t see how an old fashioned CB or Cashin are going to help tbh. That’s £20m that could have purchased one player that is exactly what we do need.

In the situation you outline, if I've understood it, where the opposition have the ball and are looking to play it into their forward and we're defending on the half way line trying to regain possession, would you not normally have one centre back getting up to make a challenge and one covering in case the challenge is lost?

 

[Bakero]

Personally think at the moment
FH can’t get the press right we get done on the break because the CB’s aren’t close enough to each other and not close enough to the midfielder’s leaving a large gap between the lines to exploit. Get that right and we might be getting somewhere.
All teams we played against targeted the same area some we out scored others we didn’t.
Don’t see how an old fashioned CB or Cashin are going to help tbh. That’s £20m that could have purchased one player that is exactly what we do need.

I tend to be optimistic but I share your reservations. We've been crying out for a pacy centre back for years.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Hurzerler values winning individual duels very highly and that seems to be Coppola's speciality.

As the talk seagulls article pointed out you have to judge Coppola on the situations that Hellas Verona put him in. I am definitely no expert but it does seem that we may concede fewer goals from set pieces with Diego in defence and it is small margins like this that could grab us the odd extra point or two. I am not that concerned about his perceived lack of ball playing ability as JPVH, Webster and Boscagli all have that in their locker.

At £10m Coppola seems like a very reasonable target for us.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I am not that concerned about his perceived lack of ball playing ability as JPVH, Webster and Boscagli all have that in their locker.

But it only takes one poor passer of the ball and your whole playing out from the back strategy is unworkable. See Potter getting rid of Duffy.

Much more likely is that Coppola is a far better passer than he is being credit for.

 

[Hotchilidog]

But it only takes one poor passer of the ball and your whole playing out from the back strategy is unworkable. See Potter getting rid of Duffy.

Much more likely is that Coppola is a far better passer than he is being credit for.

I agree, I do not see him as a carthorse. Coppola seems to be duel winner who can then get the ball to the nearest teammate who can then get on with moving the ball.

 

[Martlet]

We should be signing CB’s that defend spaces rather than a back to wall type like this player looks like he is.
If you want to play the pressing game it’s crucial your CB can defend the space behind him. Dunks not to clever at it Webster is much better as is JPVH.
VVD is a master at it we don’t need Shane Dufffy type defenders anymore.

Interestingly Igor is good at playing the role and he’s a very good passer of the ball when in possession. Yet many don’t rate him and think we need a new CB. Probably why RDZ wanted him in.

I think we’re undervaluing player development here. Lewis Dunk in 2017-19 would be been seen as the epitome of a backs-to-the-wall centre back under Hughton, and at 28, probably incapable of much else.
Three years later he was making the most passes in the Premier League at the heart of RDZ’s total football.

21yo … so much time and capacity to develop a player and FH clearly wants a lot more physicality in his squad next season.

If Coppola needs half a season to get to grips with what Hurzeler wants from him, that’s fine by me.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Been waiting years for us to sign a big, strong, Italian CB who doesn't take any Sh1t.
Make it happen, Barbs.

 

[dwayne]

 

[Oh_aye]

Nice.