Burnley (A) - Fri 11th Aug | Pre-Match Thread

[Tricky_Trev]

Debut for Josko ?

I think it’s unlikely. Well, I’m terms of starting the match anyway, even with Dias not travelling. I think it’s crucial to send the right messaging to Ake that he’s still the man, that we love him etc. Ake is a non-negotiable starter imo. It’s much easier to explain to Gvardiol that he’s on the bench, just settle into the squad, no rush, still adapting etc than it is to tell Ake he’s on the bench because… because what?? There’s no reason.

Then Pep has always seemed averse to playing 2 left footers in our back 3 in possession (I don’t know why) so Akanji would seem nailed on for the central role next to Stones, meaning Walker is then locked in at right back. Rodri a no brainer, Kovacic definitely starts, as do Grealish and Haaland. So the gaps to plug in are who plays as the other 8 next to Kovacic and who plays on the right. Kevin’s fitness comes into it, is he ready to play at least 60 mins? If he is then of course he starts. If not, bench. Bernardo I think is more likely to play than Foden, so for me Phil seems destined for the bench this game sadly.

Ederson

Walker
Akanji
Ake

Stones
Rodri

De Bruyne
Kovacic

Bernardo
Haaland
Grealish

 

[TrentGrisham]

If it is “just” concussion then that’s a relief, tbh.

Agreed. Glad the club is taking head injuries seriously.

 

[Withnail]

I think it’s unlikely. Well, I’m terms of starting the match anyway, even with Dias not travelling. I think it’s crucial to send the right messaging to Ake that he’s still the man, that we love him etc. Ake is a non-negotiable starter imo. It’s much easier to explain to Gvardiol that he’s on the bench, just settle into the squad, no rush, still adapting etc than it is to tell Ake he’s on the bench because… because what?? There’s no reason.

Then Pep has always seemed averse to playing 2 left footers in our back 3 in possession (I don’t know why) so Akanji would seem nailed on for the central role next to Stones, meaning Walker is then locked in at right back. Rodri a no brainer, Kovacic definitely starts, as do Grealish and Haaland. So the gaps to plug in are who plays as the other 8 next to Kovacic and who plays on the right. Kevin’s fitness comes into it, is he ready to play at least 60 mins? If he is then of course he starts. If not, bench. Bernardo I think is more likely to play than Foden, so for me Phil seems destined for the bench this game sadly.

Ederson

Walker
Akanji
Ake

Stones
Rodri

De Bruyne
Kovacic

Bernardo
Haaland
Grealish

Ake was brilliant last season and it will be harsh on him if he misses out, but got a feeling Pep will start with Josko.

 

[TrentGrisham]

I think it’s unlikely. Well, I’m terms of starting the match anyway, even with Dias not travelling. I think it’s crucial to send the right messaging to Ake that he’s still the man, that we love him etc. Ake is a non-negotiable starter imo. It’s much easier to explain to Gvardiol that he’s on the bench, just settle into the squad, no rush, still adapting etc than it is to tell Ake he’s on the bench because… because what?? There’s no reason.

Then Pep has always seemed averse to playing 2 left footers in our back 3 in possession (I don’t know why) so Akanji would seem nailed on for the central role next to Stones, meaning Walker is then locked in at right back. Rodri a no brainer, Kovacic definitely starts, as do Grealish and Haaland. So the gaps to plug in are who plays as the other 8 next to Kovacic and who plays on the right. Kevin’s fitness comes into it, is he ready to play at least 60 mins? If he is then of course he starts. If not, bench. Bernardo I think is more likely to play than Foden, so for me Phil seems destined for the bench this game sadly.

Ederson

Walker
Akanji
Ake

Stones
Rodri

De Bruyne
Kovacic

Bernardo
Haaland
Grealish

Completely agree about Ake...

Although what kind of message is it sending Phil if Kocacic(who struggled to consistently start for Chelsea) walks into the starting XI of the best English team of all time over him...?

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

I think it’s unlikely. Well, I’m terms of starting the match anyway, even with Dias not travelling. I think it’s crucial to send the right messaging to Ake that he’s still the man, that we love him etc. Ake is a non-negotiable starter imo. It’s much easier to explain to Gvardiol that he’s on the bench, just settle into the squad, no rush, still adapting etc than it is to tell Ake he’s on the bench because… because what?? There’s no reason.

Then Pep has always seemed averse to playing 2 left footers in our back 3 in possession (I don’t know why) so Akanji would seem nailed on for the central role next to Stones, meaning Walker is then locked in at right back. Rodri a no brainer, Kovacic definitely starts, as do Grealish and Haaland. So the gaps to plug in are who plays as the other 8 next to Kovacic and who plays on the right. Kevin’s fitness comes into it, is he ready to play at least 60 mins? If he is then of course he starts. If not, bench. Bernardo I think is more likely to play than Foden, so for me Phil seems destined for the bench this game sadly.

Ederson

Walker
Akanji
Ake

Stones
Rodri

De Bruyne
Kovacic

Bernardo
Haaland
Grealish

Gvardiol will start.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Completely agree about Ake...

Although what kind of message is it sending Phil if Kocacic(who struggled to consistently start for Chelsea) walks into the starting XI of the best English team of all time over him...?

Don’t think Phil is in the thinking for midfield anywhere near as much as Kovacic is tbh. It can only be defensive awareness or positioning or something like that that Pep wants him to improve to gain his trust. Out of possession, we press in a 442, with KDB up alongside Haaland, so the other 8 has to defend in the centre of a midfield 2 with Rodri at times, so imo that is why Pep would prefer Kovacic there to Foden. Just my opinion. So the messaging to Foden if he’s on the bench often in the early part of the season is that he must improve. Whatever the areas of his game are that Pep wants him develop, he needs to do it. I can only guess what those areas are, based on what the role requires.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Gvardiol
Ake
Rodri
De bruyne
Foden
Grealish
Bernardo
Haaland

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Gvardiol will start.

In the middle or instead of Ake?

 

[Ric]

Only think Gvardiol will start if Stones isn’t available (rumours he also picked up an injury in training).

My prediction:

Ederson
Walker
Akanji
Stones/Gvardiol
Ake
Rodri
Kovacic
De Bruyne/Foden
Bernardo
Grealish
Haaland

 

[TrentGrisham]

Don’t think Phil is in the thinking for midfield anywhere near as much as Kovacic is tbh. It can only be defensive awareness or positioning or something like that that Pep wants him to improve to gain his trust. Out of possession, we press in a 442, with KDB up alongside Haaland, so the other 8 has to defend in the centre of a midfield 2 with Rodri at times, so imo that is why Pep would prefer Kovacic there to Foden. Just my opinion. So the messaging to Foden if he’s on the bench often in the early part of the season is that he must improve. Whatever the areas of his game are that Pep wants him develop, he needs to do it. I can only guess what those areas are, based on what the role requires.

I just don't understand how Phil is ever supposed to improve on these things if Pep never gives him the opportunity... I agree that he's a bit lightweight off the ball although the upside of starting him versus Kovacic is pretty significant and far outweighs the risk... but it's hard to question Pep, isn't it?

I just fear he's going to run out of patience.