Now that Lucho's gone…
- Thread starter rurikbird
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Looks fine my end but I'm on mobile? So no clue!
it’s randomly changing between a times new roman style font and the normal font, for me anyway
Now it's okay. When it acts up, it looks like Ekitike's handbag sans Labubu.
Quite, it's almost like we've learned from being shit on by Trent already.
Someone from the athletic has written that a 'direct' replacement for Diaz is unlikely because Gakpo will play there and Rio will provide back up. I do, however, think when we sell Chiesa we will sign someone who can play on the left and the right.
We need someone who will be that overlap. Now Gakpo & new guy. Two seasons new guy & Rio.
I reckon, given how gushing Slot was about PSG, we’re thinking much more fluidly about the front 3 as interchangeable in-match. Hence Ekitike, Gakpo, Isak (if he comes) even Wirtz will be given licence to swap in game for short periods of time…
That works with type of forwards PSG have but not sure it does with the likes of Isak, Gakpo and Ekitike.
I beg to differ!.. but deliberately left Salah off the list as think he’s much better cutting in from the right!
With some artistic licence, I’d say:
Ekitike is our future Dembele
Wirtz can liken to Kvar…
Isak is a deadlier (more 9) Doue
Gakpo we know can play left or centrally
Just a little...
The forwards PSG have are all pacey wide forwards who can play across the line and beat players. To a certain extent, they're all interchangeable.
Our group just don't have that pace and natural fluidity / interchangeability.
I don't expect Ngumoha to be the backup unless we're hit with a dire injury crisis. He'll have done well if he gets 10 games. So the FA Cup games, League Cup games, maybe a few minutes in the league here or there if he gets named on the bench. Slot already has a challenge figuring out who to keep off the bench I think.
He has shown marked improvement though from last season to now. In fact, his performance in the Milan game seemed to be a level higher than what he showed in the Preston game. If he keeps this up, he'll surely be pushing himself forward to be Gakpo's primary backup in 26/27.
If that comes to pass, then good on Slot that he's willing to take risks, show trust in the young guy and not move guys around out of their best positions.
I just think that between Wirtz, and I assume Ekitike, being able to stretch and play wide left when needed, and Slot throwing Curtis Jones minutes at LW at times of injury/suspension to the rest, it's hard for Rio to get minutes in the league.
If we look back at Sterling's, Trent's and Curtis' debut seasons (aged 17+ to 18+), the number of games they got were pretty low -- 3, 12, and 6. Granted, that's under different management, but it just feels like that's how things are done at the club.
It’s hard to argue with that tbh…but I just think there’s two things in his favour to hint at regular sub appearances…
He’s a winger and Slot previously talked about using 3-4 wingers a game
He’s a prodigious talent looking like he’s improving very fast.
Can't remember which game it was, but I remember putting him third in my MOTM top three after at least one game last season.
If only if someone had data.
Crewe in the FA Cup
| Player | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Score |
| Endo | 15 | 5 | 1 | 91 |
| Alexander-Arnold | 4 | 8 | 4 | 48 |
| Tsimikas | 2 | 4 | 1 | 23 |
| Ngumoha | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Jota | 2 | 3 | 9 | |
| Danns | 1 | 3 | 8 | |
| Chiesa | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| Quansah | 1 | 1 | 6 |
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Judge Jules
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Member- Jan 11, 2025
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- #11
This
Fingers crossed he turns out to be that good and gets the game time ... at 16 !
Or get the best out of him for 8/9 years and sell him for a small fortune when he's burnt out at 25.
We’ll forget to sell him and let his contract run down.
No umbrage, you were critical in us winning 20. I know I wasn't your biggest fan, but good luck with domestic titles and trophies
Wouldn't disagree with that but I reckon we may find it harder to replace him than some posters think, as I'm not really convinced by our current options for the left-hand side of the front line. Sometimes you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
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