14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

[eastmanc]

Yup and commentators.

ESPN commentators are the worst

 

[Zenmanc]

The Khusanov is shite thing is a lazy take from opposition fans that only watched the first ten minutes of his debut against Chelsea.

Every fucking game a commentator has to remind the world of his Chelsea gaffe- a game we won handily after going behind 0-1 3 minutes in. they don't remind the world how he has made surgical tackles, shuts down wingers, is a realty deft passer and can run down anyone on the pitch and that he is 21 YEARS OLD.

 

[blue by birth]

Not gonna lie, felt like we only had 10 players on the pitch when he played. He still has so much to learn about how to help our build up from the back. Often times, he just stays in a very difficult position to receive the ball or just bring an extra opponent to our back line which does not help the situation at all.

Not going to lie..but you are..fuck me do you understand football.

 

[blue by birth]

Bo

His passing range is very poor for an 8. He may be an 8 in the Portuguese league, but not here

Bollocks

 

[Barcon]

Not going to lie..but you are..fuck me do you understand football.

No idea why anyone would read past the first three words mate.

 

[eastmanc]

Every fucking game a commentator has to remind the world of his Chelsea gaffe- a game we won handily after going behind 0-1 3 minutes in. they don't remind the world how he has made surgical tackles, shuts down wingers, is a realty deft passer and can run down anyone on the pitch and that he is 21 YEARS OLD.

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. This is the lad who Vinicius Jr. said that he couldn't run past, that's not good for their collective narratives.

 

[eastmanc]

Not gonna lie, felt like we only had 10 players on the pitch when he played. He still has so much to learn about how to help our build up from the back. Often times, he just stays in a very difficult position to receive the ball or just bring an extra opponent to our back line which does not help the situation at all.

Can't agree with any of your take on Nico G there Blue.

 

[eastmanc]

20/20 hindsight 4 years on. He was bang out of form at that time and very few if any fans thought he should play. The pre match thread is prob still there.

I thought he or Fern should of played. It was surprising neither of them did.

 

[eastmanc]

I like him. Not sure why he was left out a lot last year but he’s definitely finding his footing now. He’s great at breaking up play and can pass. Sometimes he takes a bit too long on the ball but you can see he’s starting to scan more before even receiving it. Looks way better when protecting the ball too and adds physicality to our more or less "soft" midfield.

He played more games than you think.

 

[super_city_si]

Remember Stones performance vs Inter?or more recently Stones vs R'Madrid at home last season, Nico is not on that level yet, not saying he can't get there.

You mean those games where he played alongside Rodri? yes he was superb.

I also remember the Palace game at home where Stones was tried as a single DM with Rodri out and he was poor and we got beat.

 

[Zenmanc]

Not gonna lie, felt like we only had 10 players on the pitch when he played. He still has so much to learn about how to help our build up from the back. Often times, he just stays in a very difficult position to receive the ball or just bring an extra opponent to our back line which does not help the situation at all.

You sure you aren't lying?

 

[KDB4ever]

Not going to lie..but you are..fuck me do you understand football.

Could you enlighten me then? Would love to know what I said was wrong.

 

[lasereyes]

Don't blame Rodri for Pep's stupidity. There was zero excuse for that.

Not blaming Rodri for anything. But the way he was playing at the time, it was a very reasonable decision. The balance of the team with Sterling shoe'd in got a lot of flak (before the game also) but I recall few of any saying Rodri should have played. And I know you were one of the early Rodri admirers

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Every fucking game a commentator has to remind the world of his Chelsea gaffe- a game we won handily after going behind 0-1 3 minutes in. they don't remind the world how he has made surgical tackles, shuts down wingers, is a realty deft passer and can run down anyone on the pitch and that he is 21 YEARS OLD.

It’s good thing really. He gets less pressure.

 

[richards30]

Could you enlighten me then? Would love to know what I said was wrong.

All of it! Absolute wank post

 

[blue by birth]

Well for a start Nico played well..and if you can't see that then it's pointless debating with you.
As I said I'm pretty sure you don't actually know much about football..a little tip to help you..watch the games without commentary and you will be able to make your own opinions then.

 

[johnny crossan]

On a separate note I thought he may have made the Spain squad after Rodri's hammy but his flying feet at Monaco could have put paid to his first full international call up.

 

[noseve]

thats a city thing though ? watchig tv i end up saying pass it pass it what you waiting for as players close space down now the majority of passes eventually open the spaces up. but hes not alone and think part of over all game plan
frustrating yes more so like against brentford first half they stood off we looked amazing but second half they stepped up a yard were quicker in closing and we couldnt stop them

They'll knock that out of him, hopefully - I used to scream at John Stones when he first arrived, dwelling on the ball until all his outlets were closed down, but he soon picked up the pace.

 

[Zenmanc]

Well for a start Nico played well..and if you can't see that then it's pointless debating with you.
As I said I'm pretty sure you don't actually know much about football..a little tip to help you..watch the games without commentary and you will be able to make your own opinions then.

This. Football is a game of thousand of moves- simultaneously. It is deceptively simple: move the ball, score- simples right? I think a lot of newer watchers and ones who simply are not taking the game in for what it is meant to be assume that a players worth is all in the statistical, I think football has a ton of intangibles compared to most sport that unless you are fixed on one player you do not see.
Having the world's best player in a position makes you feel like there is no other player who can or that job- Rodri is the perfect player for the #6 role. Gonzalez barely played last year, seemed to take up a cot beside of Jack in Pep's dog house. Now when he's playing, he has to pick it up instantaneously on a team composed of a lot of players who are all picking it up and that doesn't come quickly even for the best players. Rodri was no star is first season here and he played most games.

I still wish we could choose to turn commentary off and still hear the sounds of the game - football is so much more easy to see without it.

 

[Dax777]

Not blaming Rodri for anything. But the way he was playing at the time, it was a very reasonable decision. The balance of the team with Sterling shoe'd in got a lot of flak (before the game also) but I recall few of any saying Rodri should have played. And I know you were one of the early Rodri admirers

Sorry, that came out wrong. I wasn't trying to imply you were. I meant it wasn't Rodri's fault that Pep decided to pull one of his "overthinking it" errors. One of his few major flaws across his career as the greatest Manager in club football history.