14 Mar 2015

You're kidding, right? 56% of LFC fans think Can is better than Henderson

Earlier this week, Liverpool defender Kolo Toure hinted that Emre Can is better player than Reds Captain-elect Jordan Henderson, but what do fans think about that?

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers recently claimed that Can is on the path to becoming a 'world-class' at Liverpool, and in an interview on Tuesday, Toure gushed:

“He [Can] is a leader. Jordan Henderson is very good, but this boy is going to be a king here. He is a top player; he can score goals, his work-rate is amazing and there is no better player.”

Toure is clearly hinting that Can - who cost the Reds £10m - is a more effective player and/or leader than Jordan Henderson, and rather surprisingly, Liverpool fans seem to agree.

* I conducted a poll earlier this week asking fans who is the better player.
* 56% of voters selected CAN as the superior performer.

Given Hendo's impact for Liverpool over the last year, this is (arguably) a major surprise. Comparatively speaking, Can has done *nothing* at Liverpool, yet he's persistently lauded like he's some kind of football genius. I just don't get it.

From where I'm standing, he's basically done his job: defend, pass, and move the ball around. There's nothing exceptional about his game, and with one exception this season (an assist), his much-vaunted passing is functional rather than creative and/or game-changing.

This result is also a bit of a poke in the eye for Henderson, who has worked incredibly hard to transform his Liverpool career. He is now one of the Reds' most important players (and the stats prove this), but despite his consistently good performances, Henderson is basically deemed to be a lesser performer than a player who - in real terms - has contributed very little to the cause.

Bottom line: Take Henderson out of the team this season and the impact would've been keenly felt. Liverpool can survive perfectly fine without Can, and if Manquillo had played in his place over the last 20 games, I doubt it would've made much difference.

Author:


44 comments:

  1. spot on.
    there's no chance Can is better than henderson at this moment but he should be given a lot of credit as he has been a huge factor in turning the season around

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  2. Pretty good for his first season and playing out of position-- also his UN work and his continued efforts in producing cures for several previously incurable diseases makes him a success in my eyes- tremendous hair too- is this a hair thing?

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  3. I,i, I hadn't noticed!

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  4. Henderson is better at the moment and is more consistent. He deserves to be the next Captain but Can has to be the "hair" apparent.

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  5. Has Can impacted the Liverpool team more in his debut season than Henderson's? The answer is a resounding YES. What people are observing is that if Can develops at a similar rate as Henderson has, then he will clearly be the better player (and I'm a massive fan of Henderson). Why can't you acknowledge that his regular inclusion in the team has coincided with our excellent recent form. Nobody is saying he is the main reason but he has certainly contributed his part in that period.

    Fair enough if you don't support Can but to then be so apologetic for someone like Lovren. It may be subtle but you love an opportunity to praise Lovren and say he is performing solidly. Has Lovren been a better player than Can this season? Not even a contest!!!

    Let's have some critical realism on Lovren and Balotelli (probably the 2 signings you were most inclined to accept last summer) and stop the constant sniping on Can and Markovic who are 21 and new to the league.

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  6. Well said. Jaimie seems to ignore Can's composure and strength which are some of his biggest attributes. He was excellent against Chelsea in the League Cup semis (again Jaimie only highlighted his mistake for Hazard's penalty) and when we were trailing Bolton in FA Cup, he really stepped up and was a real leader (rattled crossbar and assisted Sterling). He is always solid and the potential is clear.

    Imagine what Jaimie will say when he actually does make some mistakes and drops his form at some time.

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  7. Don;t you mean naimie

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  8. I'll tell you Tuesday ;-)

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  9. Absolutely, and looking a snip at the price we paid.

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  10. How could anyone even begin to compare Can and manquilo? !

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  11. OPTA describes chances created as an assist or the pass that leads to the recipient having a shot. Manquillo has 1, Lovren has 1, Toure has 1, Skrtel has 3, Johnson has 3 (surprisingly). Sakho has 4 and Can has 10. Manquillo and Johnson have played ostensibly more attacking roles than Can (for the most part).

    Also according to Whoscored he makes 1.2 dribbles per game. Far more than anyone other than Johnson. Johnson being a fullback mainly that makes sense but it shows that Can has this in his armory to play us out of trouble. Something Manquillo (who I actually like) has not shown.

    Another stat from OPTA shows Can has a higher tackle win percentage than Manquillo, Lovren and Toure.

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  12. I had a go using some stats.

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  13. How did that work out for you?

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  14. Sorry just seen them there!

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  15. See below. Or above. Look for my name.

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  16. We would have won the league last year if Henderson was not injured tats how high I rate him great player gettin better add-in a few blinders you get the next lex captain

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  17. Sorry seen it now.very interesting reading actually. ..

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  18. Don't think Full Back is our main concern, and we seem to have many attack based players who have played that position extremely well, Markovic and Ibe come to mind.


    Depay and Vietto look great and I would add Carvalho to that to just about set us up for next year.

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  19. Hey there - Disqus should show up in the mobile version, but there's a glitch that needs to be ironed out. It's currently being fixed, so when the mobile site is available again (soon) you'll be able to comment.

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  20. OK thanks for the update I look forward to it. It looks great otherwise.

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  21. Unbelievable! For what will now be 2 seasons Hendo has proven himself reliable and a big cog in the team, this year he has upped his creative output. He showing he can boss his team and dictate a game. Can has come in and done great, yes, but not to the extent or for the consistent time Hendo has. Massively underrated apparently. Among some press and other fans yes...but our own fans who see him. I'm a bit shocked.

    His importance....we miss him when he's not playing...more so than we do Stevie G (this year). Can we do not so much. I feel there is some bandwagon hype going on here.

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  22. I voted for Can, but only because I thought it was a poll about who has the lushest hairstyle. Hendo does have lovely skin though, since he's been using Nivea.

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  23. Do we get the championship football next season?

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  24. Hendo has been integral to LFC's progression this and last season. He has his off days but he has been very consistent for the most part. He still needs to improve technically but LFC are better off when he is in the team. Can has been great, a huge talent and I believe LFC would'nt of progressed so significantly if Can hadnt performed aswell as he has been.

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  25. I would argue that Hedo has achieved nothing at Liverpool as well. I think Can had influence on our defense this season equal to the influence of Hendo on our attack.
    But taking first season debuts for both, I believe Can has outperformed Hendo. When Hendo came to Liverpool, he knew the league yet he struggled. Can adjusted to the league and is now an integral part of our defense.

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  26. thexcuriousxwanderer2:19 am, March 15, 2015

    I don't know what you are trying to say Jamie. You take Can out of the then leaky defence and I bet you that would have been keenly felt too.

    You say Can is just doing his job in defending well. Isn't Henderson doing his job too by being creative and scoring goals. What you say about Can to point out he is not better than Henderson applies equally to Henderson. Also I would like to point out it doesn't matter how hard you work to transform yourself. What is important is where you are now and where you can be (which is affected by hard work of course, look at Ronaldo, I've always been very impressed by his professionalism with regards to training and taking care of his body.)

    That said, at this point in time, I would say Henderson is still better in his reading of the game and creative output. Can is decent at the back, still can be better, but has a high ceiling. What sets him out for me is his empathy for his teammates - he feels for them. Look at the arm around the shoulder, always looking to calm things. That doesn't make him the better player of course, but I like a calm head.

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  27. Compare hendersons first season at liverpool to can's, can has not had a bad game yet hendeson is in for now hes had a few average games this season leys be honest.

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  28. What a load of rubbish

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  29. Firsrly this must be the dumbest article I have ever read. Secondly I not sure if u watch the beginning of the season were liverpool was leaking goals and central backs wont distributing ball tiforwards enough. So bredan rodgers decided to move emre can to the back. Seem that major decision its clearly changed Liverpool game. Now when u comparing stats I think it unfair when u compare players who currently playing in to different positions but from what I seem emre can has proven he can play anywhere and how versatile he is. For me his a way bettee player technical withmore visio and skil. The fact that his playing centre back shows you this. Put hendo in the back line and see what happens.

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  30. They're both been great.. Totally unnecessary statement from Kolo..

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  31. I read most of Jamie's articles and tend to enjoy them , however on this occasion I think he is a tad wrong, firstly he is twisting kolo's words by stating 'that Can - who cost the Reds £10m - is a more effective player and/or leader than Jordan Henderson' this is not true kolo plays with the same players day in day out and he see's a lot more than us guys and like us the fans, kolo is excited by the prospect of can... the lad is 21 years old and the way he has conducted him self in first season at Liverpool one of if not the biggest club in England is absolutely brilliant, he has stood up to most task thrown his way, so why shouldn't kolo and the fans be excited by what were seeing... also as Jamie highlights so much and its normally true, there is no sign of small club syndrome with can, so I do think Jamie is a bit harsh on this one, also one last point its funny how things can turn around because when Brendan Rodgers was trying to ship 'hendo' Henderson out to Fulham to sign Clint Dempsey! I didn't see to many Liverpool fans arguing or disagreeing.... Now he is the new god! Jesus man, he still got a long way to go in my eyes, but he is getting there.

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  32. Think you mean suspended; but I agree if he played against Chelsea and Palace we would have been Champions.

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  33. That link says newcastle sold Debuchy for £12m. It doesn't say anything about how much they paid for Janmaat.

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  34. True good point it just goes to show none of us on here can read properly ;-)

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  35. I wonder if a portion of people just voted that way to try and annoy you. Anyway, they are entitled to their opinion as you are to yours. To me it seems you unnecessarily focus on being unable to see Can have an impact in the team. You took that approach from the beginning of the season and you're sticking with it. I see little merit in your argument, it just sounds like someone repeatedly saying something so as to make it appear more true out of desperation. Can is a good player and has been vital for Liverpool over the past few months. All you have in response is speculation.

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  36. I would pick Can to be in my team, over Hendo anyday. Hendo has kicked in a few balls lately, but before that he has seemed an average midfielder for me, compared to other top teams central players. On the other hand I am impressed every time i see Can play. I think he has been vital for our transformation from leaky to solid in defence. He is always the defender to bring the ball out, allowing our midfield to play higher, as they do not have to come as deep to collect the ball, thus becoming more of a threat. Before Can, Gerrard was always right back between Skrtel and Sakho to collect the ball, so we were one man short in midfield.
    But I'm just happy we got both players in the team anyways :)

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  37. Chris Rossington11:44 am, March 15, 2015

    Not sure about manquillo as a third centre back but yeah completely agree re your assessment of henderson

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  38. I think Can playing in back three has really imporved his confidence as he's able to see the playing field in front of him. When he sees the space in front of him its clear he'll take the opportunity as oppose to passing it sideways! I've enjoyed see that.

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  39. I think potential wise, Can has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world. Where they are currently at, Henderson is the better player, the energy he brings to the team is essential for our style of play, I like Henderson, very good player. However, like I said, Can has the potential to be so much more than a very good player, I am just glad both Henderson and Can are at Liverpool and I believe next season, Can will fill the midfield void left by Gerrard.

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  40. I didn't vote in that poll because asking who the better player was isn't a fair comparison. At the moment it's probably Hendo but Can is far superior to the player Hendo was at the same age and has had a far greater impact in his first season than Hendo did

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  41. Agree. They've both had good seasons and deserve credit. End of story

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  42. Apples and Oranges! Is Henderson an option in the back 3 like Can is?.... No
    Is Can as good an option in midfield as Henderson right now?.... No The reason being when Can replaced Allen in midfield recently, our midfield lost some of its intensity off the ball. But our best defensive midfielder by far is Lucas, who is the only player we have who approach's the role in a Didier Hamman, Javier Mascherano way!

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