14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

Think we will know his fate within a couple of weeks. Rodri not being fit is Nico’s opportunity - if Pep has any faith in him then he will feature. If he doesn’t feature then He is done here I imagine.
 
This is his opportunity to really stake a claim. Just hope that he gets his chance with a proper run of games. If he doesn't get selected now, then it really does look ominous for his prospects here.
 
Ric said:
This is his opportunity to really stake a claim. Just hope that he gets his chance with a proper run of games. If he doesn't get selected now, then it really does look ominous for his prospects here.
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He didn’t look lean and fit enough when he arrived in Jan imo, Portugal nowhere near the intensity of the Prem. Hopefully he’s upped his levels and ready for the season, fingers crossed anyway.
 
Is Pep saying that Gonzalez was injured for long periods? Might explain a lot.
 

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Why he never plays long pass is a mistery

Needs to improve that

What’s a DM without those quarterback passes
 
Not seeing it so far. No influence on the game, ponderous when he gets on it, doesnt break things up all that often and so slow.

Refuse to make any judgements after 6 months though. still way too early, it took Rodri 18 months to stop being a liability but had hoped his Barca upbringing would see him hit the ground running as thats what we needed and also what he needed too.

Feels like we'll have a fit Rodri and Kovacic back before he starts to get it. Cant start against Wolves, just not ready and the position is too important to carry anybody through.
 
ninjamonkey said:
Not seeing it so far. No influence on the game, ponderous when he gets on it, doesnt break things up all that often and so slow.

Refuse to make any judgements after 6 months though. still way too early, it took Rodri 18 months to stop being a liability but had hoped his Barca upbringing would see him hit the ground running as thats what we needed and also what he needed too.

Feels like we'll have a fit Rodri and Kovacic back before he starts to get it. Cant start against Wolves, just not ready and the position is too important to carry anybody through.
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Surprising when you look at the pre match Wolves thread, how many have him starting. I’d be very surprised to be honest given how little he was used at the end of last season. Still looks a bit slow of thought to me.
 
I thought he looked pretty sharp and aggressive. Nothing spectacular but solid.

What I did notice, is he was dropping to receive the ball from Trafford when the centre halves split and then carrying it forward to distribute. That's what pep had Bernardo doing last season and it seemed to help Trafford who was definitely still on the passing learning curve last night. Again, nothing huge but to those complaining about his line breaking or forward passing, I thought he was very involved in building from the back even if it wasn't sexy. Also fairly certain I remember a cross field diagonal to oreily or marmoush that set up an attack.
 
Paul lakes knee said:
Is Pep saying that Gonzalez was injured for long periods? Might explain a lot.
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He literally got injured in his first game and came off after about 20 mins.

But makes sense and wasn't really reported on his recovery - must have had issues getting fully fit!
 
Millwallawayveteran1988 said:
Surprising when you look at the pre match Wolves thread, how many have him starting. I’d be very surprised to be honest given how little he was used at the end of last season. Still looks a bit slow of thought to me.
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Yeah it's an odd one. I think some just want to see shiny new toys, they've decided Bernardo, who was crucial in the run in last season is no longer up to it and want something new. Everytime I see Nico on the pitch, it leaves me with no questions as to why he isn't starting games, just isn't getting it and I'd be stunned if he's starting against wolves, unless Bernardo or Gundo become unavailable.

I had expectations that the summer and the chance for a pre-season would provide him that chance to get on yhe training pitch and for it to click but that doesnt appear to have happened. Hopefully it will soon but it's not a position where we can carry him through games until it does, he has to show it first before he'll be trusted.

The fear now is he might not get it before rodri and kovacic are back and if that happens it could turn into a Phillips situation.
 
He will have minutes for sure

More games in UCL group stage means that Pep will play him there, plus cup games

Our main midfielders (except Reijnders) are old and prone to injuries. Gundo, Bernardo 30+.. Kovacic injured, Rodri still coming back, so Pep will use him

He isn’t “Kalvin Phillips Bad” therefore he can be trusted, but we are talking about if he has enough talent to become member of starting 11 in 1-2–3 years.

The main issue is long passes for me.

Dribbling, first touch and ball retention is OK

Defending needs some improvement but Rodri also had some problems there

Let’s wait
 
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