14 | Nico Gonzalez - 2025/26

[super_city_si]

I think his days here are numbered. A shame really because he stepped up earlier in the season when Rodri was struggling for fitness

You can understand limited game time in the run in. But I would hope we keep him and explain we will rotate Rodri more next season (if he’s here).
Or we’re back to having no cover for Rodri when we flog him and he gets injured

 

[alexmcity]

I think his days here are numbered. A shame really because he stepped up earlier in the season when Rodri was struggling for fitness

Very much doubt that. I think Pep likes him. He's only going to get better.

Anderson or whoever we sign will need time to get Pep's football. Sometimes it may take a whole season.

 

[Georgian Maestro]

Very much doubt that. I think Pep likes him. He's only going to get better.

Anderson or whoever we sign will need time to get Pep's football. Sometimes it may take a whole season.

I'm not sure. His lack of minutes off the bench are a bit odd imo.

 

[Barcon]

I would have liked to see him come on today.

 

[bhayes]

I think he goes and we move nico to midfield to rotate with rodri. That way playing time is more evenly spread out between cdm, lb and cb because josko can also rotate at lb.

I just don't see how he is staying given he has barely played even when rodri could have been rested

 

[Dax777]

Kova came on ahead of him today. Strange. As happy as I am to see MK back.

Not strange. Kova plays the exact same role naturally that Bernie occupies for us now. 2nd mid. He is perhaps a better fit for that role than Bernie.

Pep unfortunately, primarily sees G as a DM. Which means it's either him or Rodri. If Rodri doesn't start a game or leaves one, Nico G will always be the first option at DM. But nowhere else.

The way i see it if Rodri stays, he'll almost definitely leave.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

Not strange. Kova plays the exact same role naturally that Bernie occupies for us now. 2nd mid. He is perhaps a better fit for that role than Bernie.

Pep unfortunately, primarily sees G as a DM. Which means it's either him or Rodri. If Rodri doesn't start a game or leaves one, Nico G will always be the first option at DM. But nowhere else.

The way i see it if Rodri stays, he'll almost definitely leave.

Nico G didn't play deep for Porto. He played further forward - absolutely no reason he couldn't have come on yesterday and even sat beside Rodri.

 

[King Jay]

Nico G is not Fast and agile enough to play as an 8. he isn’t as good with the ball as Kovacic and Bernardo - turns very slow and gets a yellow card in basically every game because he has to do a tactical foul since he can’t keep up.

No club will play with a Rodri - Nico G pivot. Especially in the Prem. Kovacic and Bernardo compliment Rodri far better.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

I imagine they'll be a bit of rust when Nico starts against Burnley. Makes the decision to barely play him all the more silly

 

[bert38]

I imagine they'll be a bit of rust when Nico starts against Burnley. Makes the decision to barely play him all the more silly

on the flip side he will be fresh.

 

[blueparrot]

I imagine they'll be a bit of rust when Nico starts against Burnley. Makes the decision to barely play him all the more silly

Results and our position at this time of the season, say maybe not so silly.

 

[Ajm1985]

Nico G is not Fast and agile enough to play as an 8. he isn’t as good with the ball as Kovacic and Bernardo - turns very slow and gets a yellow card in basically every game because he has to do a tactical foul since he can’t keep up.

No club will play with a Rodri - Nico G pivot. Especially in the Prem. Kovacic and Bernardo compliment Rodri far better.

2 more yellow cards than Rodri in 5 hours more played.

 

[supercity88]

I imagine they'll be a bit of rust when Nico starts against Burnley. Makes the decision to barely play him all the more silly

If Rodri was going to get a niggle now was the time. We simply have to be beating Burnley even with Nico in the side - a player most saw as one of our best this season before Rodri came back in. He can play the semi final this weekend too, along with the wider squad who are all then fit and firing when we go to Everton for the final push - 5 league games and hopefully an FA Cup final.

Rodri's been slowly getting back to his best, but having a couple of weeks off will probably do him the world of good. The rest should help him physically and mentally as he's going to be absolutely vital - if he can perform consistently to the level he did when we won the treble then winning those remaining league games becomes a hell of a lot easier.

 

[ALDN_Ko]

What it means

 

[RayCTID]

Still a valuable asset but stating the obvious, I am not sure Pep Guardiola does rate him highly enough to be really trusted as cover for Rodri.

 

[super_city_si]

Still a valuable asset but stating the obvious, I am not sure Pep Guardiola does rate him highly enough to be really trusted as cover for Rodri.

we'll find out tomorrow. Surely its Nico, but if Kovaic starts then its curtains for the lad. I would really hope Nico has proven he is the shoe in for Rodri. I think he will be.

 

[Moss_side_lad]

Nico starts tomorrow 100% he’s not Rodders but he’s intelligent enough to play the same role . At stages this season he’s been caught out. But no more than the rest of the lads that have played in the centre. And I think he has bright future with the Blues. We will have big boots to fill next season with Bernardo leaving and he is in with a shout ( I personally think Bernardo does the job of two players in any other top six side so very hard to follow in the footsteps of) but if he’s sat in a double pivot behind the front four he will do a great job.

 

[alexmcity]

Gonzalez is a top lad.

I'm surprised Spain haven't called him yet, he's not worse than some of their players for sure.

 

[shemnel]

In for a couple of very important games now

 

[Claytop]

Last game I remember him starting was the Salford cup game where we needed Rodri to come on for the final 15 to see out the game...

Not helping with the nerves!