Great managers know when great players have become a liability
Musiala isn't possible especially now Vincent Kompany has been appointed manager. He isn't going to do us any favours now.If the Saudi bid comes in for Kev for £100m plus then we should take it and go straight to Bayern for Musiala. Even €150m if required and get him
Said this in the match thread but this is probably start of his decline. Still can't rush in finding an replacement as this has to be an epic signing.
You can still get near as possible and it besides that took a move away from the Premier League for Kev to really establish himself. So it isn't quite an impossible task.I think the way we have to look at it is essentially you're not going to replace him, not directly anyway as he is unique player and you just have to accept that he is going to go soon and is near the end and you just have to bring in quality like we always should be. If you're looking for a direct replacement then you might be looking forever.
It'll be the same when Walker goes, people will say we need to bring in a replacement but the reality is extremely difficult to find someone with that kind of pace, so you might just have to accept that you're not going to replace that aspect.
De Bruyne is second of all time in Premier League assists, the only one above him played about 12 years. Basically a once in era kind of player, you can't replace that per se.
when the going gets rough he is still the guy who doesnt hide from the ball and tries to make stuff happen and it often does. how many times did he bailed us out in big games and/or clutch moments? if he makes that finish in the box vs madrid at home none of this conversation happens. its thin margins at this level, he needs more of a rotation role but he is very needed still imo
Kev was more off it than his usual quiet games. Pep got it right although it should have been him first not Kovacic.You don‘t take Kev off and put Alvarez on with Haaland.
For all you who write him off he is still capable of swinging a game in the blink of an eye which is what we needed today.
Haaland off for Alvarez in my opinion.
He is not done. Maybe we need to play him deeper as he gets older and start to implement a new playmaker. I wouldn’t be too quick to get rid. New players are needed but unless we buy from the top shelf then it’s safe to safe he will retain his place unless he wants to leave.I've been saying for ages that this would be a tough season for Kevin. He's done. Looked like a very poor impression of himself today.
No time for sentiment. Time to cash in over the summer. If not, don't play him in more than 25/30 games next season. He's done.
His legs haven't gone at all, he had a bad game and the red mardarses had 30 behind the ball and clogged midfield up. He couldn't influence the game like he wanted to, no biggie so pep took him off and mixed it up.Legs have gone, sadly. As to be expected with such a serious injury at his age. Hopefully Belgium swiftly exit the Euros and he can have an extended break, then we can take a view on it next season.
He is showing similar signs of decline that Fernandinho was showing. It is time we got to start planning for the future although maybe this summer is too soon for that (unless he does want to leave for the MLS)He is not done. Maybe we need to play him deeper as he gets older and start to implement a new playmaker. I wouldn’t be too quick to get rid. New players are needed but unless we buy from the top shelf then it’s safe to safe he will retain his place unless he wants to leave.
I do think we are seeing the end of a truly wonderful player and it’s sad but out of respect we need to treat him right. It was only last season that he turned the league on its head and this season when he came back we looked energised. Characters like Kev can’t be found easily.
He already said recently his game time going forward may be reduced. Same with a lot of player at his age. You either accept time has caught up and find a role or move on.
Let’s not be hasty with any of our players leaving. We could buy crap this summer.
I would prefer we found a new playmaker who will be ready to take over in 12-18 months. Same with Bernie and anyone else.