14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

wolviedinho said:
Another top showing and his progression is easy on the eye. Still gets caught turning every now and again but we ain’t winning any matches without him.

I really hope he is not dumped to the side when Rodri returns. The midfield needs both. One winger is enough in this team and one CF leaves room for both.

if we can fit them both in and give it a chance it could become a brick wall.
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Simple, Rodri in Bernardo out...
 
Nico has essentially inherited Rodri’s minutes in his very first season with us, and that alone is massive. He has played more minutes than almost anyone in the squad, only Haaland and Dias are ahead of him and he’s doing it in one of the most demanding and crucial roles in our system. It’s no surprise he looks absolutely knackered.

The sheer volume of minutes he’s played and the work he’s put in is remarkable, especially considering it’s his debut year at the club. We visibly crumble whenever he’s not on the pitch. When he looks leggy, that’s not a mystery, it’s the consequence of being flogged to death, doing the work of an ox in the most physically and mentally draining position on the pitch.

He desperately needs rest, but the cruel irony is that the moment he does get a breather, we’re likely to drop points or scrape through with a scruffy, exhausting win. That alone tells you everything about his importance.
He’s been absolutely vital for us this season. One of our most important players, without question. I genuinely feel for him about not getting much rest, but I suppose it is what it is.

 
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Unfortunately we don't have anyone to cover him. The Stones experiment against Fulham when he came on proved he's not capable of doing that role against teams that attack with pace.

A shame Kova is injured. An even bigger shame that Rodri can't cover Nico here and there to build up his minutes.
 
Roachy said:
The Bernardo of a few seasons back definitely, not anywhere near as influential now though. However, rarely injured, gives his all and a great guy.
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He’s vital in this set up, whether he’s as good as he used to be or not. We don’t have another player who fill in gaps anywhere on the pitch, drop deep and in pockets to receive the ball absolutely anywhere and not give it away.

It’ll be extremely hard to replace him.
 
CΛL said:
He’s vital in this set up, whether he’s as good as he used to be or not. We don’t have another player who fill in gaps anywhere on the pitch, drop deep and in pockets to receive the ball absolutely anywhere and not give it away.

It’ll be extremely hard to replace him.
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Some of this is true. However, he does give the ball away and is dispossessed quite easily at times. Going off topic now though. Gonzalez has been doing pretty good up until now in a vital position. Needs a bit of a hand though on occasions.
 
Roachy said:
Some of this is true. However, he does give the ball away and is dispossessed quite easily at times. Going off topic now though. Gonzalez has been doing pretty good up until now in a vital position. Needs a bit of a hand though on occasions.
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A few dips but Gonzalez’ performance are largely projecting upwards.

Not his fault we can’t afford to rest him or give him support.
 
He's been really coming good, performingt much better than I expected him. His Achilles heel unfortunately is being caught 30 meters from facing our own goal with the ball at his feet.
I am not sure is it lack of speed or situational awarenes, but most of the times it is a turnover very often leading to a huge chance for the opposition.
This needs to be coached out of him, it might be "the Spanish/Portuguese thing" of (un)justified self-confidence in their technical abelites, Nunes also has it in him.
 
SamBlue said:
He's been really coming good, performingt much better than I expected him. His Achilles heel unfortunately is being caught 30 meters from facing our own goal with the ball at his feet.
I am not sure is it lack of speed or situational awarenes, but most of the times it is a turnover very often leading to a huge chance for the opposition.
This needs to be coached out of him, it might be "the Spanish/Portuguese thing" of (un)justified self-confidence in their technical abelites, Nunes also has it in him.
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I think yesterday was down to fatigue mate? Sloppy without question but that extra second on the ball in the premier can be costly!
 
CΛL said:
He’s vital in this set up, whether he’s as good as he used to be or not. We don’t have another player who fill in gaps anywhere on the pitch, drop deep and in pockets to receive the ball absolutely anywhere and not give it away.

It’ll be extremely hard to replace him.
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He is peps extension on the pitch. He is more a practical choice than tactical. He drives the tempo of our game, calms it down when required or speeds up the intensity.

Fans do him a great disservice, he is as vital as haaland imo.
 
big gaz said:
Agree but was he targeted, but with Rodders or Kova things change, the opposition can not commit that many players to close him down ?
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I think they were just up for the running and he was a second too slow a few times and luckily it nearly cost us but didn’t. I’m sure Pep will have a word and Nico needs a sort rest and will be back to normal for west ham
 
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