24 | Joško Gvardiol - 2023/24

[applejuice]

Very good recently. The only thing I am slightly annoyed ... he clearly favours to pass to Kova much more than other teammates. Sometimes it is good choice but many times not. And the opposition sometimes targets Kova as the trap when he gets the ball. (E.g. Arsenal) At first I thought it was just a coincidence but as the season goes on and more and more left side combinations have played it becomes obvious. His passing pattern is significant different when playing with Bernado VS Kova. And no one can question about Bernardo receiving ability.

Again maybe I am too sensitive but an early red flag of playing forming a small party... unfair to other players (especially midfielders) in the competition.

Other than that ...what a signing!

 

[Middedon]

Very good recently. The only thing I am slightly annoyed ... he clearly favours to pass to Kova much more than other teammates. Sometimes it is good choice but many times not. And the opposition sometimes targets Kova as the trap when he gets the ball. (E.g. Arsenal) At first I thought it was just a coincidence but as the season goes on and more and more left side combinations have played it becomes obvious. His passing pattern is significant different when playing with Bernado VS Kova. And no one can question about Bernardo receiving

I assume his playing pattern is different when it’s Kova vs Benarndo because they’re different players/formations.

But the reality is they’ve barely played together, so I don’t think it’s something that increasing. Other than last night, they’ve only played three league games together - Newcastle, Sheffield, and Arsenal - so mostly early season games.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Very, very sound at the back. I also particularly like his anticipation, which allows him to intercept balls very early. Haven't seen much of the attacking stuff which people raved about yet, although he had a whack on goal that was definitely going in if it hadn't been blocked.

 

[Sartorial_Stonesy]

People keep talking him up to play the Stones role, but I see him slightly differently. He's more of a powerhouse, great at playing the ball out, great at carrying the ball out, but also seems pretty handy on the overlap, which is a surprise.

Personally, I'd let him just create his own role under Pep, the Josko role. We've not had a great left back for years... EVER. He could be just that.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Pep just said in his presser that Gvardiol can't play in midfield. Said he "hasn't seen it in training". Said that Stones can only do it because they've spent 8 years together, and that Josko might be able to in the future cos he's only young but he can't now

Never know like, he could just be saying that to throw people off, but that's what he just said in the presser

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Pep just said in his presser that Gvardiol can't play in midfield. Said he "hasn't seen it in training". Said that Stones can only do it because they've spent 8 years together, and that Josko might be able to in the future cos he's only young but he can't now

Never know like, he could just be saying that to throw people off, but that's what he just said in the presser

I think it was genuine and he’s not ready yet. It sounds like they’re trying to add it to his skillset with those drills.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

I think it was genuine and he’s not ready yet. It sounds like they’re trying to add it to his skillset with those drills.

Yea seemed genuine to me too, just thought I'd add the caveat to cover my tracks whilst it's Pep we're dealing with!

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Yea seemed genuine to me too, just thought I'd add the caveat to cover my tracks whilst it's Pep we're dealing with!

Very wise. He’s a slippery customer sometimes!

 

[vanchi]

I think it was genuine and he’s not ready yet. It sounds like they’re trying to add it to his skillset with those drills.

i agree. such an important role after so little time never seemed like a real possibility to me. but i liked hearing that they’re already training for the future.

 

[TrentGrisham]

Pep just said in his presser that Gvardiol can't play in midfield. Said he "hasn't seen it in training". Said that Stones can only do it because they've spent 8 years together, and that Josko might be able to in the future cos he's only young but he can't now

Never know like, he could just be saying that to throw people off, but that's what he just said in the presser

I've said this before but I think it's easy to underestimate just how tough it is to do what Stones does in the midfield. Having everything in front of you as a traditional CB versus receiving the ball on the half-turn with players breathing down your back is almost a different game altogether. Stones is truly a unique player.