Barcelona fans are divided over Chygrynskiy
Catalan sports paper Sport today notes the debate surrounding Barcelona defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy’s performances in the few matches that he has played in. Under the microscope ever since his arrival two months ago, the criticism came to a head when he was whistled by a segment of the Camp Nou crowd on Saturday night, when he was adjudged to be slow in responding to Mallorca’s offensive moves.
Costing Barcelona 25 million euros, he arrived at the club at the behest of Pep Guardiola who sees him as a player who can start an offensive move from behind, and his height as the answer to the team’s weakness in defending against corners and high balls. Guardiola was captivated by him from the moment he began watching videos of Shakhtar Donetsk in preparation for their Champions League matches last year.
No matter what the fans saw on the pitch, personality-wise the Ukrainian’s behaviour in the dressing room has been exemplary. Within the team, Chygrynskiy is a player well-liked by his teammates, who has always supported him. Unlike Alexander Hleb, who never really connected with the team and was subsequently sent on loan to German club Stuttgart, Chygrynskiy is making an effort to adapt and learning fast the Spanish language.
Answering a question about the jeers he was subjected to on Saturday night, Chygrynskiy said, ever so slowly in Castilian (Spanish language), “I know that they whistled me, and the fans are right because I was not playing well, but bit by bit I am adapting myself to the team play”.
The Ukrainian honestly admitted that he feels more comfortable with the ball in his possession than trying to recover them from an opponent. He argues that “in Shakhtar, I used to man-mark but here, we play zonal marking”.
What is happening to Chygrynskiy is nothing new as there have been a long line of new signings failing to adapt into the team. The first year is always difficult, and unless the player understands the club’s philosophy from early on, as in the case of Gerard Pique, most will take some time to fit in.
For now, as has happened to every new player, the fans will scrutinise his every move, usually focusing more on his mistakes than successes. Against Mallorca, one of Barcelona’s goals came from his long ball, which was overlooked by the fans, while his involvement in both of Mallorca’s goals was disproportionate to the jeers he was receiving. Nevertheless the player seems content with this fact and is determined to win the fans trust.
Give the guy a brake, he trying hard and i am sure he will be fine under Pep, at least he is learing the local language which i am sure he will understand when Puyol screams at him
although I wasnt in favour of his signing but lets give him some time we cant make the same mistakewith caceres and henrique just give him time and he will be a good back up but he wont be a starter in amillion years he was brought to be a backup and he cant be a starter as he is too slow and in Barca defenders play most matches especiall at nou camp at centre midfield so there is a gap between defenders and VV andthis needs a fast player like Puyol and Pique and this is the problem with Chiggi and Marquez
The only thing I know at this moment is that Barca gave too much money for him. He doesn't worth more than 15M, but who am I to judge Pep's decisions? He proved us all how good coach he is. If he has faith in him, alright. I think that David Luiz from Benfica would've been better option, but that's just my opinion…
His humility and willingless to learn is great for Barca. He himself says he is not playing well yet. The point about him being more used to man marking in Shakhtar as opposed to zonal marking clearly shows he is well aware what he needs to work on. He has a contract for 4 years.. not 4 months!!! Give him some time please… and he is only 22.
I remember when Pique joined the club… he wasn't that good for the first few months. Yet look at how good Pique is now. And this is despite Pique being our youth product and undertsanding the language.
Chygy will be a very valuable defender… my guess is definitely in the second half of the season. If Pep saw some talent in him, then be rest assured he has it… the same way Pep saw talent in Pique when no one in Man Utd (including Sir Alex did). So lets be patient and support our own players.
I agree David luiz was my favourite player last summer for CB position but we mustnt think about other CB heis good maybe not worth 25m but he is good player other thing we mustnt sign another CB in the next 10 years we should give young Cbs from academywho know our philosofy time rather than spending 20m every year on defenders and dont work in the end but i am sure Chiggy will adapt
People are constantly overlooking his passing that leads to great goal scoring chances for us. I have noticed it myself, I don't think people actually watch who gives passes sometimes.
I agree.. the long diagonal balls often lead to good chances. Although he is still not at his best yet, when he does they will be much more effective.
Also, that first goal which Pedro scored from that amazing Zlatan back heel through ball, I believe if you really look at it, the long ball came from the back direct to Zlatan (who then weaved his magic). But guess who gave that long pass to Zlatan in the first place???.. .yes its was Chygy. That's just one of the things he used to do at Shakthar that made Pep like him a lot. It gives us a new dimension in scoring and allows us to be more direct to mix up the play.
So when chygy is really at his best, I believe he can be really dangerous in setting up scoring chances. The first goal against Mallorca was just a sample.
yes right. through his long balls we change our playing style and are not so predictable for the oppenent. this will be very effective against `park the bus` teams and suits Zlatan. i am sure pep saw this.
I think it was Pique who gave Zlatan the pass(At least it looks to be so in the video that i have)
I felt Pique was no better than Chyggy.Watch the mistake on 18th minute which almost led to a goal
People patience! This guy has only been with the team TWO FULL MONTHS! Pep wanted him and Pep got him, I'm not one to disagree with Pep after all he's done…
Castilian isn't Catalan..
You're right. Corrected. (@ http://spanish.about.com/od/historyofspanish/a/ca…
Castilian is in fact Spanish.
He will prove his critics wrong.
nah chyg will do better. fans are really like that. remember how they treated ronaldinho at the airport before? and thats the guy that gave barca a new leash on life and won them back the league and the CL.
You guys should make a poll, like the one you did with "Who is your preferred candidate for the left-wing position in the winter transfer market?", saying "Have you liked Chygrynskiy's performance?" or "Do you expect Chygrynskiy to fulfill his expectations?"