Bernardo is his replacement. Gundogan is a great option to have as a squad player. We can't have 129 world class options at centre mid just in case 127 are injured in the run up to a tough game.Shudders.
Silva getting older and therefore needing to be replaced, is something that unfortunately we have to deal with but Gundogan is most certainly not the answer to that issue. If Gundogan becomes his regular replacement, this side will be taking a massive step down in quality.
Yea he would get into most club’s starting line ups in the Prem but not top 4 clubs. Most clubs would have to give him a role with little defensive responsibilities.
If you don’t think he disappears you clearly don’t watch him play. When you don’t notice a player is on the field for a period of 20+ minutes that’s what I consider dissappearing.
Or he’ll have a spell of 15 minutes with a few backwards passes otherwise annoymous. This happens too often. Gundogan also never gets stuck in due to his injuries. If you remember one game think it was against West Brom in the cup, he received a hard tackle and immediately got up and absolutely exploded at the opposing player. You can tell he’s traumatized by his injuries. Gundogan himself said he’ll never be the same player he was before injuries. Defeatist mentality.
When it’s gets tough and the game is not going our way instead of being a game changer, he can’t be found.
No surprise at all he started 3 of our 4 losses this season.
It’s not about fifa, we don’t need our 4th choice attacking midfielder to be world class but we DO need someone that puts in a shift and can defend.
When we were 4-1 down at Anfield last season who was it that led our comeback?
I can’t understand how you can say he disappears, he more often than not registers more passes and touches than any of our other midfielders when he plays. I accept the bit about tackling, he lacks the necessary aggression at times but there's no way he disappears.
We don't have room for one until either Silva or Dinho leave, we could bring in an understudy for Dinho but that's not the same thing. We should definitely be extending Gundogan's contract if he wants to stay in my opinion, plays all 3 positions in our midfield well even if not to KDB or Dinho's level.
Rotherham has been the anomaly. Not hard to get so many touches and passes when the majority of them are backwards or sideways.
Don't think we'll see two holders under Guardiola tbf, neither do I see anyone capable of actually replacing Dinho and playing further forward without there being a big drop off on quality in at least one of those positions.A proper understudy for Fern, effectively replaces Gundogan imo. Fern could then play alongside the 'new' guy in some games, as I recon would have happened in tough games had we signed Jorginho (or we'd now be 5th).
I thought especially DS, Fern & KDB are top professionals with a great attitude and work ethics.
DS only needs a healthy family.
KDB wants to win anything in the world on any new day.
Fern has to be stopped to not getting a burn out at 33, still ongoing.
They need cover to have some rest in games where we can afford to leave them out.
It seems Gundogan is doing a good job exactly then. (He even did vs top sides, no?)
Btw, they have a coach who is famous for taking immediate measure in case they start sitting back.
But they won't, as it lies deep in their personality.
Strange enough, you know all that.
Nah, aware of the variety of opinions on here I clearly prefer Txiki's and Pep's daily insight, profound expertise and philosophy
over a democratic fan decision (based on what exactly?), honestly.
We haven't done too shabby since.
Don't think we'll see two holders under Guardiola tbf, neither do I see anyone capable of actually replacing Dinho and playing further forward without there being a big drop off on quality in at least one of those positions.