14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

I personally think it'd be interesting to see him in the "John Stones role" as a false CB who goes into midfield (next to Rodri) when in possession.

His aerial duel stats are very good, it would be lower intensity for him with less running, and perhaps takes some intensity off for Rodri as well.

Now it's ideal to be playing both of our DMs simultaneously but I think the lower intensity is better.
 
Guardiola suggesting that Gonzales can adapt to play centre half if it comes to it also Alleyne & Mfuni can fill in .

Alternatively, we may play with 3 defenders (Guehi, Dias/Khusa, Nunes/Khusa) and 2 DMs in Rodri and Gonzalez.

But O'Reilly has been great, maybe next to Rodri and Gonzalez in midfield then?
 
Alternatively, we may play with 3 defenders (Guehi, Dias/Khusa, Nunes/Khusa) and 2 DMs in Rodri and Gonzalez.

But O'Reilly has been great, maybe next to Rodri and Gonzalez in midfield then?
I've had the itchy feeling of wanting to see a 3-4-3 with O'Reilly and Nunes as wing backs to provide the width and two of Cherki, Foden, Doku and Reijnders playing in the channels spaces behind Haaland. Bernardo can rotate with Gonzalez and Rodri instead of being wasted on the wing.

Can't do it now with Dias, Gvardiol and Stones being out but it could fit our squad once Dias is fit and if we get Guehi in this window. Could suit Ait Nouri and Lewis as well.
 
He’s on his own all game so will make mistakes. We go to shit every time he’s goes off. Just play him & rodders together
 
Unfortunately he seems to have a habit of falling all over the pitch. Unlucky with being the main culprit at giving up Brighton’s goal. Wasn’t bad overall though.
 
He needs to help playing out back. Never offers to receive a ball from Donnarumma. Never pass the ball to the other side.
 
I'm worried he's not good enough. He was actively avoiding the ball in the first half. He's been looking terrified of getting it lately. Getting burnt in transitions as well.
 
Earlier in the season I was impressed by the way he’d seemingly learned how to be more progressive with his passing and quicker in deciding what to do. But of late he’s regressed back to how he looked last season. I just hope that’s purely down to fitness issues and/or fatigue.
 
Last edited:

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top