You wouldn’t be able to tell which one has been identified as a world-class defender, who had numerous clubs all offering to pay top dollar for his services in the Summer after blistering form for Ajax in last season’s Champions League campaign and which one is a Leeds utility man.
This is unfair on Stuart Dallas. He has proven himself this season to be so much more than just a player capable of playing in midfield and defence on both wings, rather he’s become integral to the Bielssa system with darting runs from wing back and a solid defensive strucutre. He’s one of the first names on the team-sheet and Leeds would have quite frankly been lost without him this season.
Below is a video of him in action for his country, Northern Ireland, last night against Netherlands. His pressure wins him the aerial duel against Matthijs de Ligt, whom he fools into falling over by delaying his cross. He then whips in a peach of a cross that could land on a golf tee, meaning his striker can nod it in. Bravo, Stuey.
2 pieces of poor defending from De Ligt gives Northern Ireland a shock lead against Netherlands #TBGPOD pic.twitter.com/MOWMJbo6gD
— The Beautiful Game Podcast (@Podcast_TBG) October 10, 2019