OPINION
Football is a game of opinions.
It’s part of the reason that the beautiful game remains such an enticing muse for us as supporters. Oftentimes there is no black and white answer, and that subjectivity keeps us talking and keeps us wanting more and more.
But occasionally you come across an opinion so baffling, a take so hot, that it’s difficult to wrap your head round.
For example, Sky Sport pundit Darren Bent has suggested that he prefers Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho to Liverpool counterpart Fabinho.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I do like Fernandinho, don’t get me wrong I do like Fabinho too, but I don’t know why but I like Fernandinho on the ball a little bit more.
“I think he senses danger a little bit better and also as well… I mean they can both be cynical at times, but listen it’s chalk and cheese which everyone you prefer as they’re both very good.
“But for me, right now, personally Fernandinho just edges it a little bit.”
Now, make no mistake, Fernandinho is a top player, and has been an integral part of this City side as they have slowly extended their dominance across English football in recent years, but right now, suggesting that you would rather have the veteran Brazilian over his younger compatriot is frankly ludicrous.
So far this term he has made more tackles, interceptions, key passes, successful dribbles, has fewer unsuccessful touches, a higher Whoscored rating, and is only just ended out when it comes to his pass completion rate.
Comprehensively, Fabinho is performing better than Fernandinho in pretty much every aspect of his game, and he is still only 25.
He has time to keep on growing and developing, and if he continues at his current rate of progress then he will surely come to be regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world, if he isn’t already.
Bent is a great pundit, but he’s living in the past on this one.
