14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2024/25

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bluenova said:
He hasn't started any of the FA cup matches since arriving, and he's started 4 out of the other 6 you mentioned. In the middle of that run, he also played the full game against Madrid away.

Most of it is absolutely what we'd expect from Pep. We've had years where the more experienced players play a less risky game against the tougher opponents. We've had years of players having a run of games, and then dropping back into rotation for a few games so they get a rest - in almost every case they come back a few matches later.

If anything, the anomaly is that he's started so many games as a new player - but I suspect a lot of that was due to Silva, Gundo and Kovacic having been overplayed, and needing more of a rest. They've all been getting much better reviews in the last few games, so it seems to be working too.
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Unless it's Grealish, but that's for another thread
 
bluenova said:
He hasn't started any of the FA cup matches since arriving, and he's started 4 out of the other 6 you mentioned. In the middle of that run, he also played the full game against Madrid away.

Most of it is absolutely what we'd expect from Pep. We've had years where the more experienced players play a less risky game against the tougher opponents. We've had years of players having a run of games, and then dropping back into rotation for a few games so they get a rest - in almost every case they come back a few matches later.

If anything, the anomaly is that he's started so many games as a new player - but I suspect a lot of that was due to Silva, Gundo and Kovacic having been overplayed, and needing more of a rest. They've all been getting much better reviews in the last few games, so it seems to be working too.
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He started at Orient in the cup, was shite, dilly dallied on the ball that cost a goal, freak one I concur, then got injured and was off the pitch, so he has started a cup game since arriving
 
richards30 said:
Thats down to Pep shitting himself and not trusting people and reverting back to the old guard.
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Shit himself so much and lost so much trust in young players that it's resulted in our best form of the season and seen us starting players like McAtte and O'Reilly more regularly.
 
HelloCity said:
Shit himself so much and lost so much trust in young players that it's resulted in our best form of the season and seen us starting players like McAtte and O'Reilly more regularly.
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I genuinely think Mcatee has started playing as he`s on the to be sold list? O`Reilly has taken his chance due to injuries? And he`s taken it big time to be fair to him.
 
I do think in the sort of 4 man box midfield Pep makes in whatever system wherein we have 2 deeper control midfielders and 2 higher attacking midfielders, that the original idea that he could be an 8 like Gundogan will never happen.

He isnt agile or silky enough to play between the lines like that imo.

Im not saying that just because he is tall, O Reilly is actually better suited as an attacking midfielder over Gonzalez, he is tall, but has a bit more agility in his ability to carry and play between the lines.

Nothing wrong with that, it means next season in the base 2 we have Rodri, Nico G, Kova, Bernie as options which is good depth.

Wharton to replace one of Kova/Bernie down the road.
 
meeesh said:
He started at Orient in the cup, was shite, dilly dallied on the ball that cost a goal, freak one I concur, then got injured and was off the pitch, so he has started a cup game since arriving
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You're really not a fan are you :) I'd forgotten about the injury - just saw the minimal minutes for the game. But it's still typical Pep - that was a game against a lower league team, and his debut. You'd expect Pep to throw him into that first match, so his debut isn't a big one.

Since the start of 2025, Gundogan has had a run where he started 1 in 5 PL games. De Bruyne had a run of 1 start in 8 PL games, and was subbed in that one. Silva 1 start in 6. Kovacic 1 start in 6.

And while they were all getting a breather, Nico started pretty much every game. Now they're rested, he goes into rotation, rather than starting every game. It's what you expect from Pep, and what he's done for the best part of a decade now.
 
Alan Harper's Tash said:
The only speed that Pep requires in a player is their speed of thought.

Physical pace is an added bonus for him.
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He does everything slowly including thinking from what I've seen. Sorry, I like most City players but not him. No need to get worked up about it, its just freedom of opinion.
 
Belgian Flash said:
He does everything slowly including thinking from what I've seen. Sorry, I like most City players but not him. No need to get worked up about it, it’s just freedom of opinion.
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Why would anyone be worked up?

He’s learning how to play in our system and I’m willing to give him more slack than a few on here, especially as results have been improved with him in the side anyway.
 
Chak19 said:
Yeah but that's because Kova only played the last 15 minutes against a tiring Everton, if Kova started as a 6 I doubt he would've been better.
I was fine with Nico's performance, he needs to move it quicker but the most important thing at the moment is that we don't get overrun in midfield like we used to, he helps with that a lot.
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He needs Kovs next to him. Kova rushes towards his midfield teammates or defenders as an outlet. Its easier bto move the ball faster when Kova is around.

In fairness, Bernardo is this way too when he plays in the middle. But Kova is just much more effective after receiving it.

That said, i thought he played fairly well.
 
bluenova said:
You're really not a fan are you :) I'd forgotten about the injury - just saw the minimal minutes for the game. But it's still typical Pep - that was a game against a lower league team, and his debut. You'd expect Pep to throw him into that first match, so his debut isn't a big one.

Since the start of 2025, Gundogan has had a run where he started 1 in 5 PL games. De Bruyne had a run of 1 start in 8 PL games, and was subbed in that one. Silva 1 start in 6. Kovacic 1 start in 6.

And while they were all getting a breather, Nico started pretty much every game. Now they're rested, he goes into rotation, rather than starting every game. It's what you expect from Pep, and what he's done for the best part of a decade now.
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No don't get me wrong, the lad needs a chance to prove his worth, all as I was saying was to justify it being a bit of a panic buy that's all, always tough mid season I get it, but for me and no doubt others he's not got me too excited just yet in what we have seen.

But let's be honest, this lad should not really be put into the give him a season category, he was brought in as we were all begging for some cover in midfield, and at 50m should be in the starting 11 every game, and would be if he was upto it, but he isn't, Gundogan and Kovacic getting the nod, so what happens when Rodri is back.............not a fucking lot
 
jaiguruKun said:
He is a rough diamond but I like him. He does the dirty stuff noone else likes doing. There's no-one else with his skillset in the squad at the moment who is available. It's noticeable how much easier it is for teams to play through us when he isn't in the team.
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Don't think he's that rough, he looks to me a very good player, who once he fully undestands what Pep wants and plays with Rodri will be a great player and another bargain.
 
meeesh said:
No don't get me wrong, the lad needs a chance to prove his worth, all as I was saying was to justify it being a bit of a panic buy that's all, always tough mid season I get it, but for me and no doubt others he's not got me too excited just yet in what we have seen.

But let's be honest, this lad should not really be put into the give him a season category, he was brought in as we were all begging for some cover in midfield, and at 50m should be in the starting 11 every game, and would be if he was upto it, but he isn't, Gundogan and Kovacic getting the nod, so what happens when Rodri is back.............not a fucking lot
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Rodri, Bernardo & Mahrez to name three were bought for similar amounts and both needed a season to adjust before showing their best form.
 
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