bobbyowenquiff
Well-Known Member
A good post and I agree about the evolving role of Rodri and Gundogan. However there is still a lack of pace in the centre (without Foden) that will be exposed by better teams than Burnley.I agree on basically all points you made. I'm pretty sure Mendy in this team completely changes the dynamic.
Cancelo is weird in that on the left, he tends to come inside more and doesn't really provide the width Mendy does, but Cancelo still makes alot of chances.
Still think he should play there given how good he's been, probably with Foden to have a left footer, but also would like to see him get more time in his natural position where its alot easier for him to stay wide.
This is partly why I want Angelino back (but I think that ship has sailed) because he can play Mendy's role, and Zinchenko just can't. Zinny can play inverted well, but I think we need to move on from that, instead I could see him getting minutes in the double pivot.
The 3rd and 4th are my favourite as well for those reasons, it shows the promise of how we want to attack in the future, wide fullbacks. Not a coincidence that the rare time Walker actually overlapped with Mahrez we created a chance. I know people don't rate Walker as an attacking fullback, but honestly its as simple as run fast and cut the ball back (which he did) he doesn't need to think any more than that, a chance will be made.
While Stones and Mahrez got alot of plaudits in this game, rightfully so, I wanted to point out that Gundogan and Rodri were quite phenomenal in their own right in this game. I think they are adapting to each other overtime, learning what is required of them. Gundogan in particular absolutely dominated wherever he moved, and Rodri covered Mahrez on many occassions.
Where I disagree with you is on Angelino. I watched him come through the ranks at City and can't see him ever making a top-level PL player. His lack of spatial awareness and poor decision-making made him a liability in defence, worse even than Mendy at defending.