82 | Rico Lewis - 2023/24

[waspish]

He will be in the England squad for the Euros next summer, of that I'm almost certain.

England were ridiculous tonight. Not just Lewis but Palmer, Madueke, Philogene and Elliot were all outstanding. England made a decent Serbian under 21 side look like the Renford Rejects at times.

There's not a chance in hell Doku is any more talented than Cole Palmer. I think Palmer has a far better all round game.

Carsley is a far better manager than Southgate

 

[supercity88]

Carsley is a far better manager than Southgate

That was clear within the first few minutes when you could see Rico inverting and the forward players changing positions regularly. Southgate has that typical defensive mindset where he's unwilling to risk defensive discipline in the pursuit of attacking flair. That's why we see such sterile performances.

The U21s were absolutely sensational last night. So many of them can get the ball under pressure and make something happen. And if they do lose it they fight to win it back. I'd have Carsley over Southgate any day.

 

[supercity88]

But talent wise I don't see one as having considerably more than the other. It's clear they have different strengths to each other, but right now, I've liked what I've seen of Palmer a little more. Even if he isn't our player any longer. But obviously I've seen considerably more of him for City and England than I have of Doku. I think Palmer is someone we should have kept hold of even if it meant loaning him out this season.

It would have been nice to have both. Palmer is more in the Mahrez mould, classy touch and technique and an ability to carve his way through the opposition. Doku is more a speed man who will use that initial burst to create an opportunity. Both can be useful depending on the opposition and it's a shame Palmer wanted to leave.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

 

[iTyler]

It would have been nice to have both. Palmer is more in the Mahrez mould, classy touch and technique and an ability to carve his way through the opposition. Doku is more a speed man who will use that initial burst to create an opportunity. Both can be useful depending on the opposition and it's a shame Palmer wanted to leave.

I think he would have stayed had we sent him out on loan. I think he's soon enough going to be worth double what Chelsea paid for him.

 

[iTyler]

Carsley is a far better manager than Southgate

He's certainly surprised me. To think we spent so long wiith Bothroyd who is a League One manager at best and is someone that's stuck in the past with his methods and tactics.

I think Lewis would be perfect to play alongside Rice for England which gives you loads of protection in front of the back four and allows you to play Bellingham advanced as he does for Madrid. Then a front three of Kane and two from Saka/Foden/Grealish/Rashford/Sterling/Bowen, depending on form and fitness and also the opposition.

Something like this for the Euros -

Pickford

Walker
Stones
Colwill/Tomori/Guehi
Chilwell/Shaw

Rice
Lewis

Bellingham

Foden
Saka

Kane

 

[supercity88]

He's certainly surprised me. To think we spent so long wiith Bothroyd who is a League One manager at best and is someone that's stuck in the past with his methods and tactics.

I think Lewis would be perfect to play alongside Rice for England which gives you loads of protection in front of the back four and allows you to play Bellingham advanced as he does for Madrid. Then a front three of Kane and two from Saka/Foden/Grealish/Rashford/Sterling/Bowen, depending on form and fitness and also the opposition.

Something like this for the Euros -

Pickford

Walker
Stones
Colwill/Tomori/Guehi
Chilwell/Shaw

Rice
Lewis

Bellingham

Foden
Saka

Kane

If Gareth took influence from Pep rather than Klopp he could push Stones into midfield alongside Rice and wouldn't need that extra more defensive midfielder. You could then play Rice, Bellingham and Maddison in the middle with Saka and Foden wide (all interchanging) and Kane up top.

 

[supercity88]

I think he would have stayed had we sent him out on loan. I think he's soon enough going to be worth double what Chelsea paid for him.

He would have done but rightly we didn't want to loan him out. I don't really understand why he left. I'm not sure he gets in the Chelsea side any more frequently than he would have ours this season. They've got injuries at the moment. We've got Foden, Doku and Grealish as wide players with Bernardo occasionally used there, but also have the CL to play which they don't. I'm sure it was partly down to game time and also down to money ultimately. I don't blame him, it's just a shame he wasn't willing to give it this season with us before making a decision.

 

[iTyler]

He would have done but rightly we didn't want to loan him out. I don't really understand why he left. I'm not sure he gets in the Chelsea side any more frequently than he would have ours this season. They've got injuries at the moment. We've got Foden, Doku and Grealish as wide players with Bernardo occasionally used there, but also have the CL to play which they don't. I'm sure it was partly down to game time and also down to money ultimately. I don't blame him, it's just a shame he wasn't willing to give it this season with us before making a decision.

I think he'll get plenty of game time at Chelsea. He's competing with Mudryk, who is still miles away from being the player they hoped they were signing, and Madueke, and Palmer is further down the line than him in regards of developement. I guess he just felt he would feel a bit more important at Chelsea than he did for us, and then there's also the lure of living in London. If Palmer was a bit quicker and stronger than he is (and he can work on the latter) then he would be magnificent.

 

[iTyler]

If Gareth took influence from Pep rather than Klopp he could push Stones into midfield alongside Rice and wouldn't need that extra more defensive midfielder. You could then play Rice, Bellingham and Maddison in the middle with Saka and Foden wide (all interchanging) and Kane up top.

It's an option but we probably need Stones in that back line. He's the best centre-back we have by far.