14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

[domalino]

Pep is playing a consistent starting line up and we are on a winning run.

Can you explain to me how moving Nico O Reilly to defensive midfield and bringing in a new LB is playing a consistent starting lineup, but simply swapping Rodri for Gonzalez is not?

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

First half of the league season - 1272 mins.

Second half so far - 105 mins.

The thing that’s jarring is that Pep heaped praise on him even when Rodri came back. Said he was incredible, said we wouldn’t be 2nd and chasing the title without him, called him our mini Rodri.

But he can’t get on the pitch. Doesn’t add up. Peps been here 10 seasons now, 585 games, we know what he’s like as a manager and he’s never gone from 100% faith in a player to discarding him completely.

Only thing that makes sense in my mind is that maybe Pep hasn't liked Nico's reaction to being dropped? Either he's reacted badly, or maybe hasn't reacted at all?

It was strange when those stories came out from Romano about the club being open to offers last summer, only to change course a couple of days later. We know Viana and Romano are close.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Can you explain to me how moving Nico O Reilly to defensive midfield and bringing in a new LB is playing a consistent starting lineup, but simply swapping Rodri for Gonzalez is not?

This is the first change in a long time. I'd have thought Gonzales would be playing too

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

First half of the league season - 1272 mins.

Second half so far - 105 mins.

The thing that’s jarring is that Pep heaped praise on him even when Rodri came back. Said he was incredible, said we wouldn’t be 2nd and chasing the title without him, called him our mini Rodri.

But he can’t get on the pitch. Doesn’t add up. Peps been here 10 seasons now, 585 games, we know what he’s like as a manager and he’s never gone from 100% faith in a player to discarding him completely.

He's also rarely shit on a player publicly.
None of us know what goes through Pep's head, neither are we privy to conversations that have/are going on between the 2.
I think Nico G is a good player, and I'm surprised Pep has chosen to go the way he has tonight but he'll have his reasons.
It does suggest Nico G will have to move on though

 

[ctwrd]

Exhibit a

 

[Ajm1985]

Did 1 thing wrong, as expected when rusty, and then demonstrated exactly why he should have started

 

[Saddleworth2]

He should have started. Did well when he came on but every other bugger was knackered.

 

[skillman]

Played well. His forward passing and constantly being available helped see the game home.

 

[WallyA]

He was so good.

We felt better with the dual change of him DM and O Reilly back to LB.

Pep just needs to trust him.

It could perhaps be that he wants to leave and Pep doesnt want to give him minutes, maybe.

But at this point I don't care, I want to win and dont care if he is leaving us anyways.

He is the best 2nd option after Rodri.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

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.

 

[chris85mcfc]

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

 

[ninjamonkey]

We were simply better when he came on. Good cameo. Has to start in Rodri's absence.

 

[Blu1]

He calms midfield down but never gets a proper run of games. He should cover rodders every time. Positionally he’s excellent. Oreilly is not the player to cover for rodders.

Crazy we don’t play him

 

[Goater=Legend]

We was better when he came on but you can see the frustration with some of the players with him taking too long to make a pass or choosing the safer option.

 

[southamptonblue]

He calms midfield down but never gets a proper run of games. He should cover rodders every time. Positionally he’s excellent. Oreilly is not the player to cover for rodders.

Crazy we don’t play him

He almost cost us the win.....he isn't and never will be, good enough for us.....unless we're aiming for the conference instead of the CL.
The fact he didn't start, and hardly ever gets mins, is purely because he isn't very good.

 

[Gabriel]

Needs to start in the semi-final to regain sharpness.

 

[pbueno16]

We was better when he came on but you can see the frustration with some of the players with him taking too long to make a pass or choosing the safer option.

Nervy environment to come into. Definitely looked slow to make a decision but I think that’ll get worked out with more consistent playing time.

 

[Goater=Legend]

Nervy environment to come into. Definitely looked slow to make a decision but I think that’ll get worked out with more consistent playing time.

Yeah from r sure, he's barely played this second half of the season.

He should get the full 90 on Saturday.

 

[Haaland94]

Much better in midfield than NOR, needs to play more. Sure, he is no Rodri, but best backup at the club.

 

[Rolo]

Thought we looked a lot more assured and less open when he came on. One silly mistake but he was very solid, nearly got himself a goal as well. Needs to start in Rodri's absence.