Exeter Blue I am here
Well-Known Member
You've got to remember how much more he's playing this season than before.
He's been around the first team for 4 years now, but 52% of his career total Premier League and Champions League minutes have come this season, and there's still 9 league games to go and potentially 6 more CL games.
I think they're managing him really carefully. The first 10 games of the season he played loads, then they reduced his game time for the next 10 games or so, then at the beginning of January he started every game for 10-15 games, now they've dropped his game time down again.
Everything will be geared up to keeping him in top shape for the last 10 games of the season. CL semi's and final, FA Cup Semi and final.
Yes, you're doubtless correct that they're managing him carefully and looking at the longer term picture. Frustrating though, because he really does make it all look easy. Goes past players for fun, a constant goal threat, hard working. We have ourselves a diamond