Injuries - 2023/24 | Ederson cleared to return to training (p 146)

Good thing about this international break is that most teams are playing friendlies so no problem to have one or two convenient ‘injuries’ to give players a rest providing it doesn’t cause too much resentment.
No requirement for the national team medical staff to insist on making its own assessment.
 
I wouldn't say that Ortega is a far better shot-stopper than Ed, but he is significantly better. I agree on that. His distribution isn't bad, but Pep prefers a keeper who's distribution is basically that of a very good holding midfielder. It that sense, Ed's a freak. There's no other keeper close to him. All the keepers in the PL are now trying to do it — and often making a hash of it.
That's why Ed usually gets the nod. It's Pep's way of seeing the game, and the structure he wants to impose. Ed's got a bit of a nutcase side to him that's disturbing at times. Ortega seems calmer. Ortega would be in any other team. We are privileged to have both. I don't think we've ever had two keepers of this quality. Imagine Bravo or Pantilimon having to take this responsibility for this run-in.
Pantilimon was OK!
 

Hopefully this is just both club and national team being sensible. After the Liverpool game, having three weeks off should hopefully be enough to clear up any niggles and help with Kev's game management for the rest of the season.

Clearly age is not Kevin's best friend and these niggles won't go away. This summer has to be when we start planting the seed for his replacement, so that next season then process of handing over the baton whilst he's still at the club can begin.
 
Kev will never learn to manage his work rate in matches.
It's in his personality to give 100%+ and crawl off the pitch red faced (arguing with Pep on stage...).

I couldn't believe how he was running like a 22yo returning from that injury! Madness.
We need his unique qualities so much. Should be easy to compensate the running by younger legs, not his assists.
Ask Erling.
 
Delighted he won’t be playing for Belgium in the international break. They really haven’t had his best interests at heart in the past IMO.

Get some rest and treatment and get him back to destroy Arsenal.
 
Kev will never learn to manage his work rate in matches.
It's in his personality to give 100%+ and crawl off the pitch red faced (arguing with Pep on stage...).

I couldn't believe how he was running like a 22yo returning from that injury! Madness.
We need his unique qualities so much. Should be easy to compensate the running by younger legs, not his assists.
Ask Erling.

Yeah

But he's also at his best when he's fired up and tearing around like that.

For me he's the best midfielder ever to play in the league, I put him a notch above everyone but at the same time he's also very capable of looking sluggish and not sharp when he's not fired up and playing with a high level of determination

So I think you have to take it for what it is. As you say, it's his personality and of you want the best out of him then you just have to let his personality be part of how he plays.

Hopefully thing injury is just taking precautions and nothing serious.

Obviously I don't know him personally and don't really have any idea but I always got the feeling that in recent years he doesn't really enjoy playing for Belgium that much. it always looks like a chore or just not that enjoyable when I watch them. it reminds me a bit of when you hear retired England players talking about the supposed golden generation they were in and admitting that they didn't really enjoy the international duty. I'm probably wrong though. He seems a pretty single minded character that would knock something on the head if they didn't want to do it.
 
Hopefully this is just both club and national team being sensible. After the Liverpool game, having three weeks off should hopefully be enough to clear up any niggles and help with Kev's game management for the rest of the season.

Clearly age is not Kevin's best friend and these niggles won't go away. This summer has to be when we start planting the seed for his replacement, so that next season then process of handing over the baton whilst he's still at the club can begin.
When need to go all out for Wirtz.
 

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