It’s not ‘rubbish’ simply a different opinion. He’s faster upstairs and faster at keeping the ball away from others, which is why they were consistently compelled to bring him down; he doesn’t have to be a sprinter to be fast. He was also instrumental in both their second and third goals, so hardly disappearing. In terms of squad position, Silva has already left so Aouar would take his slot.
I don’t base my judgement on liking particular players. Instead, I look at them and think do they have the technical ability we require? Would they fit our style of play and are they of the right age and experience to play in our squad? Similarly, do they have the right character? If we do sign Aouar and Koulibaly, I’ll be satisfied that the club has signed players and people that fit with what it has and what it needs now.
He isn't Walker fast, but he's faster than our midfield except maybe Foden & his reactions appear faster than most, too, by comparison.
If there is someone else better, then fine, but he looks an asset to me.
A genuine, quick, strong def mid would then have us set up for some years to come.
He's the ideal replacement for Gundogan.Sorry but that is rubbish i can understand people liking Auoar but as i said 6 fouls in the first 36 minutes which he made the most of, and one a dive, you keep suggesting he is fast he is not, Gundogan was the one that fouled him the most, our slowest player, you even used our second slowest player as an example, after 36 minutes Lyon went into defensive mode and Aouar was hardly seen again, the big CB for Lyon was undoubtedly the best player on the park followed by the right winger and striker,
I can understand everybody liking Auoar he reminds me of Nasri but there remains 2 questions, who can you get to leave for him?, and does he cover a position we need better than others out there, the answer to the second part is very definitely no.
He's the ideal replacement for Gundogan.
In fact, he's the player Pep thinks Gundogan is in his head.
I wonder if Ake might be deployed in a defensive midfield/destroyer role more than we think. I gather he has played there on occasion in the past
If Houssem is a young Gundo, would we move Ilkay on?
No way, only in emergency.I wonder if Ake might be deployed in a defensive midfield/destroyer role more than we think. I gather he has played there on occasion in the past
Spot on. I wouldn't sign him to take what we see as Foden's position in the team (albeit I think Pep will continue to use Foden as a wide player more often than not because of his pace and intensity off the ball), I would be using him as our number 6. Energy in a deeper position, and threading the balls through to our wide players and De Bruyne. Gundogan is excellent at doing that job, but needs a free role to perform it because he hasn't got the legs or strength to put in the defensive work. That's why Rodri is left with so much to do.