14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

[ALDN_Ko]

If Nico G started yesterday I highly doubt we only score one goal. Last twenty minutes we put the foot on the gas and NOR really should’ve scored

 

[ALDN_Ko]

Does everything in slow motion. Touch, touch, touch, pass sideways. Touch, touch, touch, pass backwards. Poundland Rodri.

NOR at LB and Gonzales in the middle is preferable to the way we started but a midfield two of Gonzales and Bernie wont get the job done against decent opposition. It’s too slow and negative.

A lot of forwards passing there

 

[ALDN_Ko]

He’s not as good as many on here think. He’s ok. Too slow at moving the ball on. Difference when Rodri came off the bench away at Sunderland.

He’s not as good as Rodri. Fine. However, when you compare him to the likes of Gravenberch, who he dominated, Zubimendi and Caicedo currently, I struggle to see how bad he really is. He’s a good player

 

[ALDN_Ko]

Came on thinking we were holding onto the one nil, when the likes of Cherki were crying out to get the 2nd

Hes not the answer but should have started as we missed NOR at left back

Just plainly not true. We attacked more in the last 20 mins than we did for the whole time after we scored and before he came on.

 

[bell_mcfc]

He’s definitely a good player and more of a 6 than Nico OR.

But he did that thing again. Gets closed down in a tight space and tries to turn his body into the player and gets dispossessed. Then they get us on the break. Happens nearly every game he plays.

 

[Ajm1985]

He’s not as good as Rodri. Fine. However, when you compare him to the likes of Gravenberch, who he dominated, Zubimendi and Caicedo currently, I struggle to see how bad he really is. He’s a good player

People just see what they want to see, can't convince them otherwise - the Nunes thread is always good evidence of that. I do find it baffling when people say 'X will never be good enough' though - really does say a lot about their view of Pep's ability to coach players.

 

[bell_mcfc]

People just see what they want to see, can't convince them otherwise - the Nunes thread is always good evidence of that. I do find it baffling when people say 'X will never be good enough' though - really does say a lot about their view of Pep's ability to coach players.

I think it’s fair to say that Pep is such a brilliant coach and so full on he clearly develops players incredibly well - no one imagined Nunes becoming that player. Now that’s also in the player not just Pep obviously.

But some players can’t cut it. It’s too much. I’m not saying that about Nico G at all, I think he’s a good player and when he got a good run of games you could see how more comfortable he was.

 

[blue whippet]

He’s definitely a good player and more of a 6 than Nico OR.

But he did that thing again. Gets closed down in a tight space and tries to turn his body into the player and gets dispossessed. Then they get us on the break. Happens nearly every game he plays.

I find a lot of players these days do this, turn into the player and try to shield the ball rather than being aware of the danger and dealing with it. Not just with City but all other teams too, shielding the ball to either get or stop a corner, the same for throw ins. How many times do you see teams lose possession because of it.

 

[bell_mcfc]

I find a lot of players these days do this, turn into the player and try to shield the ball rather than being aware of the danger and dealing with it. Not just with City but all other teams too, shielding the ball to either get or stop a corner, the same for throw ins. How many times do you see teams lose possession because of it.

I just notice it with him all the time. He often does it and loses the ball.

Someone like Bernie doesn’t for whatever reason and that’s the difference.

Close him down, win the ball and catch us in the break. If he’s playing it’s the easiest tactic to go for.

 

[crystal_mais]

He's a good player but not sure Pep has full confidence in him. On 3 occasions last night he could have turned and gone forward through the lines. he went back and passed back allowing Burnley to settle. You could see Pep shouting at him. Just needs that confidence. We are spoilt with Rodri and previously Fernandinho. I think Nico is a safety first type of DM

 

[BillyShears]

He's a good player but not sure Pep has full confidence in him. On 3 occasions last night he could have turned and gone forward through the lines. he went back and passed back allowing Burnley to settle. You could see Pep shouting at him. Just needs that confidence. We are spoilt with Rodri and previously Fernandinho. I think Nico is a safety first type of DM

Pep, Erling, and Cherki went mental at him so many times. He's a good player, but it's obvious he's going to get sold in the summer if we bring Anderson or someone like that in.

 

[K-Bo]

Not getting the start in Rodri’s absence pretty much confirms he’s off imo. It’s a weird one, I think he’s been good for us but pep has issues with him clearly

 

[twosips]

Pep, Erling, and Cherki went mental at him so many times. He's a good player, but it's obvious he's going to get sold in the summer if we bring Anderson or someone like that in.

I definitely feel its a little harsh on him. Fella has barely played. I wonder if the frustration stems from doing it in training too.

 

[BillyShears]

I definitely feel its a little harsh on him. Fella has barely played. I wonder if the frustration stems from doing it in training too.

There's obviously something in his game that Pep really doesn't like, but he's just not seen the pitch since Rodri came back. My only worry across the run in is that the entire bench looks a little too rusty. People are expecting big rotation against Southampton, whereas I expect more or less the same team as last night with the exception of Trafford and maybe one of the CB's.

 

[PoshIsMyHero]

His own players werent too happy last night. Limited. But can do a job.

 

[pudge]

He's death by a million touches in my opinion

 

[super_city_si]

He’s definitely a good player and more of a 6 than Nico OR.

But he did that thing again. Gets closed down in a tight space and tries to turn his body into the player and gets dispossessed. Then they get us on the break. Happens nearly every game he plays.

Yes this one happens once a game. Its the one thing he really needs to fix. But he's young and I think experience will help him iron that out.

 

[super_city_si]

Pep, Erling, and Cherki went mental at him so many times. He's a good player, but it's obvious he's going to get sold in the summer if we bring Anderson or someone like that in.

Cant have been easy coming in to a tight, stress filled game at the sharp end of the season, especially after being dumped by Pep after good performances. I cant blame him for not picking any risky passes.

He should have started and been allowed to feel his way in to the game.

 

[Dax777]

We were more balanced when he came on. Should have started. Pep's error.

 

[merz]

I can see why pep did what he did yesterday but in hindsight it was the wrong decision.