[Albion] Diego Coppola (Italian CB)

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PILTDOWN MAN

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 15, 2004
20,588
Hurst Green


Hugo Rune

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 23, 2012
25,047
Brighton
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:

 










Kalimantan Gull

Well-known member
Aug 13, 2003
14,128
Central Borneo / the Lizard
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.
 






Justice

Dangerous Idiot
Jun 21, 2012
23,198
Born In Shoreham
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

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 23, 2012
25,047
Brighton
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.


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.
 


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