16 | Rodri 2024/25

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Kova is not a natural CDM - there were several better players than him for that position available at a price in the summer - albeit not so good as Rodri.

Better than Kova? Maybe but then you have to see if they take to Pep’s coaching — I like Kova having had time to play in the system and plenty of chances too. New players always a bit of a crapshoot. That said, with Phillips a bust I see your point too.

 

[thelostoasismember]

If it’s ACL it would be a catastrophe

Indeed, but the club didn’t care

Goretzka over Rodri? Fucking hell

so who do you want? Maybe Kalvin Phillips returning from loan? Maybe Matheus Nunes. All options are shit.

 

[alexmcity]

Stones can play the role too.

He can't. He thrives next to Rodri but he isn't a DM. The problem is, to replace Rodri one has to complete 80 passes per game. Stones ain't that. He completes 30-40 passes when used in midfield, e.g. 33 in the CL final vs Inter.

Kova and Gundo are more natural options but lack the physicality and are less press resistant than Rodri. It's a shit situation. Let's hope Rodri will be back in 3-4 months, if he is injured badly.

 

[Eds]

Here is a left field suggestion if Rodders is out for any length of time.We need someone to take the ball off Eddie or a centre back who can pick a pass and doesn’t give the ball away often. Step forward SuperJack.

 

[thelostoasismember]

There is a big group of people who cares about this club and see we don’t have Rodri’s back-up and Haalands back-up, but we have also deluded fans like this guy who thinks everything is superb non stop. No. In same parts of the team it isn’t and some cases like Rodri’s and Haaland back-ups are still unsolved.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Here is a left field suggestion if Rodders is out for any length of time.We need someone to take the ball off Eddie or a centre back who can pick a pass and doesn’t give the ball away often. Step forward SuperJack.

Perhaps unpopular, but Nunes could do a great job. He's brilliant at getting the ball and turning upfield with his pace. He also covers a lot of ground.

 

[johnny crossan]

I'd call Kova a decent cover, unless by decent you mean almost as good as Rodri but no one is, the problem is Kova does have injury issues himself so if they are both out it will be a problem.

step up O'Reilly then - needs to win his place back for the EDS first though....

 

[johnny crossan]

View attachment 132629There is a big group of people who cares about this club and see we don’t have Rodri’s back-up and Haalands back-up, but we have also deluded fans like this guy who thinks everything is superb non stop. No. In same parts of the team it isn’t and some cases like Rodri’s and Haaland back-ups are still unsolved.

who needs players anyway?

 

[pudge]

Still don't understand why the stretcher never comes out for injuries like that

 

[alexmcity]

Perhaps unpopular, but Nunes could do a great job. He's brilliant at getting the ball and turning upfield with his pace. He also covers a lot of ground.

I like Nunes but he is not a 6, not a Pep type of 6 anyway. Kova, Gundo, Bernie and Lewis are the options.

Pep tried Bernie and Lewis at Arsenal last season when Rodri was banned.