14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2024/25

[Blue Abroad]

I think, for those wondering how we can accommodate Nico once Rodri is back, it is important to note that he played more as an 8 with Porto and his previous coach at La Masia has said he always saw Nico as more of a playmaker than an enforcer. Like Rodri, he has an eye for proving and penetrating passes in the opponents final third, including lofted balls over the top. And, also like Rodri, he can chip in with the odd rocket and caressed shot in to the bottom corner from range.

He’s obviously built on that foundation since his academy days and now has strong holding and defensive positioning skills, as well, that make his impact on the pitch more comprehensive. He’s also grown and filled out, making him a much more potent force against physical players, as we say yesterday. His natural tendency to command and organise is something we have missed dearly with Rodri out.

All of this means he can effectively cover CB, CDM, CM, and AM, all in the same match, as the needs arise in a fluid formation from attack to defence and back to attack again.

Which is exactly what Rodri has done for us, making him the best player in the world.

Now imagine having two players in a ‘double pivot’ that can do that. When one goes forward to provide extra numbers and thrust near the opposition box, the other drops to provide a calm outlet and dependable cover.

And they are both tall and strong, which gives us more options in attacking and defending set pieces.

I am personally very excited to see them play together once Rodders is back.

 

[Blue and true]

If you're worrying about how we'll incorporate both he and Rodders, it's worth remembering Nico usually plays more advanced. So even if it isn't a double pivot, it can be done.

Edit: someone has just outlined this far better than I could've done!

 

[kingn6]

"especially as he's been played more as a sort of 8 for Porto and is adept further forward"
Shades of Fernandinho before we bought him.
What an insanely good transfer that was for us though, and such an underrated player by the rest of the league and media.

Transfer window analysis: Paulinho, Fernandinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan | Tor-Kristian Karlsen

Tor-Kristian Karlsen: The £17m Spurs will pay for Paulinho is a good deal compared to Manchester City's £30m for Fernandinho, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could make the difference for Liverpool – if the move happens

www.theguardian.com

Yeah the guardian of american freedom and economic abuse thought we got shafted

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Transfer window analysis: Paulinho, Fernandinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan | Tor-Kristian Karlsen

Tor-Kristian Karlsen: The £17m Spurs will pay for Paulinho is a good deal compared to Manchester City's £30m for Fernandinho, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could make the difference for Liverpool – if the move happens

www.theguardian.com

Yeah the guardian of american freedom and economic abuse thought we got shafted

Haha I completely forgot Mick O’Tarian existed.

Another genius rag signing that was supposed to lead them back to sepia tinted glory and achieved the square root of fuck all.

 

[Gumzy97]

Question is how do we fit him in when Rodders returns>

Play both, Xavi didn't see him as a Busquets replacement as he's too attack minded. So Rodri and Nico could both play as a double pivot with both able to score goals and defend. Both physical then have a creative midfielder in front of them. That's a perfect midfield

 

[.db.]

I think, for those wondering how we can accommodate Nico once Rodri is back, it is important to note that he played more as an 8 with Porto and his previous coach at La Masia has said he always saw Nico as more of a playmaker than an enforcer. Like Rodri, he has an eye for proving and penetrating passes in the opponents final third, including lofted balls over the top. And, also like Rodri, he can chip in with the odd rocket and caressed shot in to the bottom corner from range.

He’s obviously built on that foundation since his academy days and now has strong holding and defensive positioning skills, as well, that make his impact on the pitch more comprehensive. He’s also grown and filled out, making him a much more potent force against physical players, as we say yesterday. His natural tendency to command and organise is something we have missed dearly with Rodri out.

All of this means he can effectively cover CB, CDM, CM, and AM, all in the same match, as the needs arise in a fluid formation from attack to defence and back to attack again.

Which is exactly what Rodri has done for us, making him the best player in the world.

Now imagine having two players in a ‘double pivot’ that can do that. When one goes forward to provide extra numbers and thrust near the opposition box, the other drops to provide a calm outlet and dependable cover.

And they are both tall and strong, which gives us more options in attacking and defending set pieces.

I am personally very excited to see them play together once Rodders is back.

Rodri also played more of an attacking role for us last season than he had previously

Rodri: Much, Much More Than a Defensive Midfielder | Opta Analyst

When Rodri arrived at Manchester City, he was a number six. He is now far more than that, making key contributions at both ends of the pitch

theanalyst.com

(How Rodri didn’t win the City and PL POTS last season is an utter mystery!)

We could play either one as a 6, either one as an 8, play them together and interchange them in 6<>8 at different times in the game, or rotate either of them to play with others in the 6 or 8.

If we sign Wirtz in the Summer to replace De Bruyne, imagine a Nico-Rodri-Wirtz midfield three. That has the potential to be Fernandinho-DSilva-DeBruyne standard!

 

[eastmanc]

Nico and Rodri as a double pivot next season and a fit more stable back 4 and we'll keep many more clean sheets. Looking forward to it.

I think at Porto he played as a box to box midfielder many times, which is great for us. He was excellent yesterday, just what we needed.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I think, for those wondering how we can accommodate Nico once Rodri is back, it is important to note that he played more as an 8 with Porto and his previous coach at La Masia has said he always saw Nico as more of a playmaker than an enforcer. Like Rodri, he has an eye for proving and penetrating passes in the opponents final third, including lofted balls over the top. And, also like Rodri, he can chip in with the odd rocket and caressed shot in to the bottom corner from range.

He’s obviously built on that foundation since his academy days and now has strong holding and defensive positioning skills, as well, that make his impact on the pitch more comprehensive. He’s also grown and filled out, making him a much more potent force against physical players, as we say yesterday. His natural tendency to command and organise is something we have missed dearly with Rodri out.

All of this means he can effectively cover CB, CDM, CM, and AM, all in the same match, as the needs arise in a fluid formation from attack to defence and back to attack again.

Which is exactly what Rodri has done for us, making him the best player in the world.

Now imagine having two players in a ‘double pivot’ that can do that. When one goes forward to provide extra numbers and thrust near the opposition box, the other drops to provide a calm outlet and dependable cover.

And they are both tall and strong, which gives us more options in attacking and defending set pieces.

I am personally very excited to see them play together once Rodders is back.

We were trying to buy Rice to play alongside Rodri, and he maps pretty well to Nico's game. It might even be the opposite, with Nico allowing Rodri to play further forward in the old Yaya Toure role.

 

[OB1]

Whilst not wanting to get carried away, Nico G quietly had an immense EPL debut. Double the touches of any opposing midfielder and 97% pass completion.

NG’s Barca upbringing means he fits us like a glove.

He and Rodri can play together. City are rebuilding and Pep will have to make some adaptations to deal with how everyone else has evolved to deal with us. I think we saw a glimpse of the future yesterday.

 

[OB1]

We were trying to buy Rice to play alongside Rodri, and he maps pretty well to Nico's game. It might even be the opposite, with Nico allowing Rodri to play further forward in the old Yaya Toure role.

Or the Gundo role we saw yesterday. Like Gundo and Yaya, we know Rodri has important goals in him.

 

[.db.]

 

[Keeper!]

Question is how do we fit him in when Rodders returns>

Worry about that when the big fella gets back 100% fit, no reason why they can't play together but it' will be a nice issue to have for a change.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Awesome full debut. Take a bow Nico

 

[TonyBookEnd]

A great debut
Much better suited to the 6 role at beating the press. Looks to pass through the press rather than carrying the ball. Although Stones being fit makes a massive difference as well

Just confused as to why a position, which is so fundamental to the whole system, has taken so long to address.

 

[MichaelBBack]

God what a difference a proper 6 makes... Thank God we got him in before the window closed.

 

[Shazza458]

Worry about that when the big fella gets back 100% fit, no reason why they can't play together but it' will be a nice issue to have for a change.

They can play together. Nico has played as an 8 for his entire time at Porto. Varela the 6

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

They can play together. Nico has played as an 8 for his entire time at Porto. Varela the 6

An interchanging Rodri and Gonzalez is a mouthwatering prospect. Either can play 6 or 8 at any point.

 

[Haaland94]

That was only his first proper, full match for us. Fuckin hell, we have some player on our hands.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Nothing spectacular, just very economical, very tidy. Brought a sense of calm in that part of the pitch that's been all too rare this season. In fact, just what the doctor ordered. Incidentally, he made Gundo look better than he has been, mainly I think because he took the main weight of defensive duties off him (which is not Gundo's forte anyway, and never has been).
I somehow don't think we'll see the Gundo-Kova combination again, unless injuries absolutely impose it.

 

[Sebi]

What a game from our panic buy. Was really impressed, hopefully he starts on wednesday.