14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

[bell_mcfc]

Great performance last night.

I know when he came in last year we were all over the place and he struggled with injuries but yet another player that with some time has really become a key player for us.

 

[Blue Since 76]

He must have had a tricky paper round, as I hadn't realised he's still only 23. That's the same age Rodri was when we bought him and he looked like a downgrade from Fernandinho.

I've been critical of him at times for getting caught on the ball but maybe he's settling in to the role he's got which is a tough one, as he's often the only defensive minded midfielder in front of a defence where both fullbacks have bombed forwards.

He's nowhere near the level of Balon d'Or Rodri, but neither was Rodri at the same age. Hopefully he's a contender for that over the next few years, albeit with tough competition from the other Nico, Foden, Haaland...

 

[SambaStyle]

Rico Lewis is so lightweight it's hard to believe he'll make it.


BUT

Look at Vitinha now compared to what he was at Rico's age.

 

[rodrizontal]

That’s a big ask. He would need to add a lot to his passing repertoire to get anywhere near. He has stepped up massively this season though.

I think he has a very decent passing range, but is just still very risk-averse at the moment.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

A game to forget for him. He desperately needs Rodri back to help carry the load.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

A game to forget for him. He desperately needs Rodri back to help carry the load.

I disagree. He wasn’t great on the ball but he was outstanding and getting a foot in to win the ball back today.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Got caught a couple of times, but growing in confidence with every game, and i love the fact he really gets stuck in and loves a battle

 

[Gobshiight]

Looked a little tired today. Got caught on the ball a few times, something he's been able to eradicate from his game since last year. Other than that he did alright and was unlucky to concede a couple of fouls

Hopefully he gets a rest in the week because our midfield is nonexistent without him

 

[OrigamiNinja]

I disagree. He wasn’t great on the ball but he was outstanding and getting a foot in to win the ball back today.

It’s a big problem. Everything he does in possession is in slow motion. I actually can’t tell him Dias apart on the ball and that is definitely not a good thing.

I have some sympathy for him, because he’s basically playing on his own in the middle, while Bernie and Casper are off picking their arses somewhere. Out of possession Nico is pretty much the difference between us being competitive and being completely overrun but in possession, he needs a lot of work.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

It’s a big problem. Everything he does in possession is in slow motion. I actually can’t tell him Dias apart on the ball and that is definitely not a good thing.

I have some sympathy for him, because he’s basically playing on his own in the middle, while Bernie and Casper are off picking their arses somewhere. Out of possession Nico is pretty much the difference between us being competitive and being completely overrun but in possession, he needs a lot of work.

He needs to improve on passing the ball instead of dribbling into blind alleys. Rodri had that cross field left footed pass in him which completely changed a pattern of play and opened up a lot of space.

But his pros outweigh his cons for me. He’s elite at winning the ball, Fernandinho level.

 

[red 2 hats]

Needs to stop turning into trouble, got away with it a couple of times today, could prove costly, been great recently though.

 

[eastmanc]

He needs to improve on passing the ball instead of dribbling into blind alleys. Rodri had that cross field left footed pass in him which completely changed a pattern of play and opened up a lot of space.

But his pros outweigh his cons for me. He’s elite at winning the ball, Fernandinho level.

Like the Nico G diagonal against Liverpool which led to Doku's goal. Today was one of his poorer games but on the whole he's been great all season.l

 

[Ajm1985]

It’s a big problem. Everything he does in possession is in slow motion. I actually can’t tell him Dias apart on the ball and that is definitely not a good thing.

I have some sympathy for him, because he’s basically playing on his own in the middle, while Bernie and Casper are off picking their arses somewhere. Out of possession Nico is pretty much the difference between us being competitive and being completely overrun but in possession, he needs a lot of work.

Feel like that's an exaggeration. He's been caught on it a few times this week and made the wrong decisions, but they are the exceptions. In part it's probably an accumulation effect as he's playing a lot as the sole mid.

 

[denTTony]

Got caught in possession a couple of times and we got away with them

 

[Sibierskii]

He must drive Pep fucking mental. Takes way too many touches.

 

[meeesh]

He will get a rest when Rodri is back ……on the bench

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Feel like that's an exaggeration. He's been caught on it a few times this week and made the wrong decisions, but they are the exceptions. In part it's probably an accumulation effect as he's playing a lot as the sole mid.

Maybe we have been spoiled having Fern and then Rodri but having those players also shows you what is possible from a CDM. I like Nico, he’s having a good season and as I said. I have a lot of sympathy for him because he’s basically in there on his own. I would just like him to do things a bit quicker and get his head up a bit more.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Like the Nico G diagonal against Liverpool which led to Doku's goal. Today was one of his poorer games but on the whole he's been great all season.l

Rodri does that pass once or twice a game. Nico G is brilliant in his own way though, hasn’t played badly for City since he signed.

 

[Goldust]

Was good off the ball, but was terrible with it. Needs help in the new year, as he looks gassed.

 

[Lavinda Past]

I think that the Real match took a lot out of him. Definitely needs Kovacic alongside him.