Diogo Dalot is competing with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the starting role at right-back. While Dalot’s game has improved under Erik ten Hag, Wan-Bissaka’s level is rising too.
Speaking with the club media, Dalot has talked about how Ten Hag has had a great impact on his form.
He’s been having a really good impact on my career, especially since he came in, he gives me a lot of confidence. The way that he wants to play suits the way that I want to play football, as well, and it’s been a pleasure to work with him, he is a very demanding manager. He pays attention to the details and I like that. It’s been a joy to play and be coached by him.
Dalot is more often used on the right, but can play on the left, and has reflected on the importance of full-backs.
Like I’ve said before, the full-back position has been becoming a little bit more of an important role nowadays. I think in today’s game the inverted full-backs are a little bit more involved and more coaches are trying that in the game. We have to just adapt, as you can see full-backs are now going forward a lot more than in past years.
I believe we now play a little bit more on the inside [coming infield]. We have to adapt, it’s how football is evolving and I think if you have that attacking capacity, that ability to do both, then it’s only a plus in your game. For me, playing on the right and the left, it is comfortable both ways. I have shown that and I have had the opportunity a lot to play on the left. I have no problems with either parts of that.
