82 | Rico Lewis - 2024/25

[DATOIA]

Zinchenko was 20 years old here, same as Rico...

I mean, I understand that he maybe working a lot and that's something Pep loves, but City is a special football club and just working hard isn't enough without a proper talent and physical abilities.



When you are not that tall, you should have at least Bernardo confidence with the ball. Unfortunately I don't see that confidence in Rico with the ball. Unconvincing first touch and ball always bounces whenever he touches it, not proper control.

That's where mistakes come. I always had same feeling when Sterling was receiving the ball.
But sterling was winger and that wasn't issue, cause loosing the ball in the final third can't bite you that much, but when you play inverted fullback that's the big issue.

Also not mentioning that defensive wise he is the biggest liability.

 

[WallyA]

to be honest, a modern 8 also needs to be both fast and strong, especially in the burst of the first few steps.

Not necessarily.

I've seen plenty who are tall and fast and lack the technique side to make it.

And there is evidence of many small midfielders who have done well without speed or physicality, simply due to the difference the midfield role requires, mainy playing in the pockets.