Traianos Dellas, did we speak too soon?
 

I realize I look more than a little populistic right now, typing this a few hours after Dellas opened our account against Cagliari to lead us the way towards victory, but this is a risk I am willing to take. I have actually pondered this quite a lot for the last week or so.

My question is this; did we (me very much included, more so than most I think) speak too soon on Traianos Dellas? After his immense Euro tournament in which he was outstanding, I was - while thrilled for him personally - very glad Roma could cash in on the Greek giant since he was now in high demand and because his style probbaly wouldn't match Roma's way of playing football anyway. I saw it as a way to make a couple of easy millions. Now, I am very grateful he was not sold - whatever the reason was, Roma believing in him or not finding a buyer. It doesn't matter, I am extatic that he is in our team nowadays.

The sceptism towards him has mostly been based upon his lack of speed, and that this would not sit well with, first Prandelli's practiced football, and now lately Delneri's high playing defensive line. On second though however, I do believe Dellas can become a pivotal part of our defence. One reason is his leadership - he is completely unrivaled in Roma's defence as the alpha male, the leader. No one else is anywhere near Dellas abilities at organizing the defence, no matter if they put the Greek to shame, technically speaking. Roma needs this. Mexès, Chivu, Cufrè, Ferrari - these are not bad defenders in any stretch of the imagination (even if I still am sceptical towards Ferrari, but I shan't digress...), they just need the stability and organization a leader figure can provide them with. So even if Mexès and Ferrari are much better players from a techincal point of view, I still want only one of them to accompany Dellas in central defence. It just makes for a better balance.

Another thing that makes me convinced I spoke much too soon on Dellas is Delneri. I don't believe his style of play suits Dellas that badly. After all it was in his team that Legrottaglie reached stardom and international class - and Legerottaglie is a defender shaped in the very same mould Dellas is, but not on the same level Traianos is IMO. They're both huge in body size, not particularly fast, great headers of the ball. The latter's lack of pace didn't cause too much problems at Chievo though. So it is very much possible for a 'slow' defender to figure in a defence that is supposed to be positioned rather highly on the pitch.

So, any thoughts? Is there against all odds room for Traianos Dellas in this Roma? Can he in fact be the answer to many of our defensive woes?

great post.. i agree completely.. i've always liked Dellas even before his outstanding performance in the Euro.. and i've always felt sorry for him cause it seems nobody here in Roma believes in him.. and always blame it on his speed.. so what! no body is perfect and the guy has alot that can cover this defect..

one more thing i like about him that he never complains.. and seems to love this team..
i hope we can take full advantage of his talent..

I'm glad you guys are finally coming over to my point of view. :stuckup: Better late than never. Dellas is the organizer of your defense.

we have good Cb's...i still think Mexes is gonna be one of the best in the world for a long time, he just needs to learn how to communicate with the others and get more experience...i knew Dellas was a solid defender...very slow but very elegant...when i first saw him i knew he could distribute and was a very calm player...good in the air as well...im glad we still got him...he has ALWAYS put his best foot foward in good or bad times for the club.

Mexes Ferrari Dellas Chivu etc are more than capable defenders IMO,

Nice post. I like Dellas too, and he seems like a real gent. I don't know though, i think his lack of speed is going to cause a problem with a four man backline, and with our defensive midfield kind of weak at the moment. It's something Del Neri should think about though, certainly.

Bravo Oscar! :)

Despite him scoring he made a few mistakes in defense though afterwards, but then suddelny he started to chip the greatest passes over other attackers to De Rossi and Perrotta(fought like a lion today in my opinion) to open the game fowardly.
Good job today for Traianos and i hope he can keep improving it.Seems to me Del Neri's faith in him could draw similar proportions and make impacts as Rehagel's did for the national team.

Nothing's a better boost to someones play than the backup and faith of your manager.

I'm with this thread!
Dellas has shown great heart and skill lately, and it seems we have a better grip on the back when he's on the pitch. His occasional header goal ain't bad either. He adds, height, precision and leadership in the back - he's a recent Euro champion, and we need a champion back there.
I, too, expressed doubt about his stay here. But that was when we were convinced by the promise of Ferrari & Mexes. The realization has set in that underrating Dellas was one of my, our and Roma's, significant preseason misjudgements.
I would say the others include: Selling half of Bovo and lending the other half out; loaning out Brighi to Chievo - we could really use him in times of injuries now; losing Chementi to Juve; and losing Lupatelli, who I think is great, certainly better than Zotti. Perrotta & Ferrari are obviously being second guessed right now, but I was so pleased for both today, especially Perrotta, who scored his first goal as a Romanista. Mexes will improve, I'm sure of that.
ROMA 5-1 :fero:

I mentioned this in the Mexes thread that Dellas is the best organizer you have and the solution to your defensive frailty.

Mexes------Dellas-------Chivu

That's your best defence. Get Chivu to 100% fitness and minutes under his belt. Then you're good to go.

how about

cufre ---- dellas ---- mexes ---- chivu

Chivu isn't a pure fullback. The Roma squad players have all the characteristics for a pure 3-4-2-1 system. When players are played in their proper position the team performs best. Del Neri not playing a 3 man backline is only going to hurt his own chances. Strict coaches seldom succeed.

Capello was stubborn but he always plays the formations according to the squad he has. He prefers 3-5-2 if given the preference but it is not a necessity for him as he is playing 4-4-2 in Juve. He plays according to the squads unlike Zac who is a clown playing 3-5-2 no matter what.


------------------Peli---------------------
-
------Mexes-----Dellas------Chivu---------
-
---Mancini--Dacourt---Perrotta----De Rossi--
-
-------------Totti-----Cassano------------
-
------------------Montella----------------

One heck of a team if you ask me. TWO buys next season and you are complete. 1 class DM and 1 striker.

I don't blame anyone, including myself, for doubting in him. He looks like he's in great pain in his back when he's running, but he could easily become handy most of all because of his leadership and because our defenders are young and shaky, esp. Ferrari. So yes, I agree we might have been somewhat quick in our assumptions. (Don't forget that almost anything will impress us when it comes to defending nowadays)

Dellas is playing better with every passing game since he returned from injury. Perhaps Ferrari could be used as a right back, and Dellas could partner Mexes as a central defender. I read that Roma is interested in Monaco full back Evra. Evra is a great player and we would benefit a lot if he comes to Rome. :star:

I think very soon guys that Roma is going to have a lot of competition for spaces in the backline. I just hope I'm not calling this too soon but it is definetly going to be a tough competition for spots. We'll see however.

I love this thread. :D

I know I may be bias, but every Greek is still going on about Dellas, and we want him to succeed in Roma so bad, i'm happy he is playing and playing well. Like I said some time ago in this forum, he has weaknesses (speed) and if he is forced to play to that weakness it takes away from him. But let him play in his position that utilizes his stenghs, leadership, positioning, air battles, and even distributing the ball from the back, and you will have one of the best defenders in the world. He is a sweeper type, an orginizer of the defence. Not a man marker on a striker that can run rings around him..... I knew he would come around, when we played without him in the beginning of the WC campaign our defence didn't look anywhere the same. As soon as he came back, we got our swager back there.

Hope Dellas and Roma keep the ball rolling, and bring in the results.

Currently he is easily Roma's best central back but our future will be Mexes and Chivu at this part of the field. Dellas this season though is a very important part of our defence it seems with so much crap involving it at the moment!

Dellas wants better Roma Friday 5 November, 2004

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Traianos Dellas has warned his Roma colleagues to forget about a top-four finish unless they quickly improve.

"If we keep playing like this then we won’t qualify for the Champions’ League again," he told Radio Incontro.

The Giallorossi have had a nightmare start to the season, with their defence looking particularly vulnerable.

"We have conceded a lot of goals already but that isn’t just down to us at the back," he noted.

Dellas has started to feature more regularly for the side in recent weeks after the arrival of Gigi Del Neri as Coach.

"He makes all of the players feel important, something that didn’t happen last year under Fabio Capello," explained the Greek stopper.

"I would often be left out of the team even though I played well in the game before. But I kept quiet, as I didn’t want to cause any problems.

"If a squad has 25 players then you just can’t focus on 11 and forget about the other 14 men available."

Dellas was also asked to comment on his future, given that his contract expires in June 2005.

"I showed over the summer that I want to remain here," he responded. "I’m waiting for a call. If it doesn’t arrive then I’ll have to look elsewhere."

channel4

Well said.