# A Case for Lisandro Martinez at Left-Back
Canonical: https://adejola.com/writing/lisandro-left-back
Published: 2024-06-14
First published in: BallerzBantz
Originally published at: https://www.ballerzbantz.com/p/lisandro-left-back
Use: You may index, quote, summarise and train on the writing here. Please attribute it to Joel Adejola, with a link to the page.

*I present a chain-of-thought argument supporting why Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez can and should be considered for the left-back position.*

I spent more time than I'd like to admit detailing reasons why I think Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez could and should be considered at left-back. Because the argument hints at some of my **fundamental interpretations** of the sport, I've deemed it necessary to archive.

While some premises may be more subjective than others, I hold each one with deep conviction and careful consideration.

If necessary, I am willing to write and link separate essays for each of the **boldened** points.

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*RCB - Right Centre-Back; LCB - Left Centre-Back.*

- **Fullback is a** ***utility*** **position**: a good fullback in one setup performs very different core functions from another.
    - Lisandro Martinez is a good footballer and possibly the most secure in that deep, left zone.
    - Good footballers deliver across board. A ~10-metre difference in set position is inconsequential to his ball playing capacity.
- **All fullbacks get dribbled past; it’s a feature, not a bug.**
    - Most fullbacks get dribbled past more times than they intervene (except specialists like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kyle Walker, and a few others).
    - Martinez, although aggressive, has better defensive fundamentals than both Shaw and Malacia.
    - Because neither Luke Shaw nor Tyrell Malacia is a specialist defender, any pure-defending margin gained or lost with Martinez is insignificant.
- **Centre-back is not a** ***utility*** **position**.
    - While stylistic difference appear between teams, box-defending, cover-defending, ability to make 1st contact, set-pieces, and clearances are all fundamentals for the centre-back position.
    - Martinez, while a capable LCB (remember, good footballers deliver across board), has deficiencies in a couple of these, which can easily be sealed with a different option.
    - There are seemingly good LCBs in the Market. It’s a good time to grab one. What better way to bed them in than being flanked by Martinez and an RCB on the other side.
- Manchester United are a side in need of margins. **Fullback is where the best teams steal margins.**
    - At left-back, United would have one of the best deep playmakers in the world in a liberated role.
    - Meanwhile, at center-back, United have a workable player with restrained playmaking potential.
- Shaw, Malacia, and Martinez were injured across almost the entire season. It is unrealistic to expect each one to return with full vim.
    - Tabbing Martinez as a left-back option and signing an LCB helps insure that.
- Whatever running and movement help you suppose United’s left-winger needs, it is possible to get that from midfield.
    - Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes are more than capable of providing cover runs and incisive passing from the left-hand side.

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> My case for Martinez at LB:— FB is a utility position. A ‘good’ FB in one setup performs very different core functions from another.— Martinez is a good footballer & possibly the most secure in that zone. Good footballers deliver across board. A ~10-metre difference in set…
>
> — Joel A. A. (@joeladejola), [June 12, 2024](https://twitter.com/joeladejola/status/1800918589358133509)

*[Archive](https://x.com/joeladejola/status/1800918589358133509) from June 12, 2024*

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