Weaken. One of Bernardo's greatest strengths that he brings to the team is defensive, his energy and pressing. FDJ doesn't look physically capable of being coached to do the same.Take the money out of it. That is what it is.
Would swapping Bernardo for FDJ improve or weaken us?
Agree, but he doesn’t always play well. Him coming off against Villa changed the game.Weaken. One of Bernardo's greatest strengths that he brings to the team is defensive, his energy and pressing. FDJ doesn't look physically capable of being coached to do the same.
Nobody always plays well. Even when Bernardo doesn't he puts a hell of a shift in defensively. Agree that FDJ would be more of a Silky replacement, but for the wages and fee it would involve I'd imagine we've got other options on our radar offering better value. Can't pay marquee fees and wages for a player that won't be a starting player when all are fit and in form which imo he wouldn't be.Agree, but he doesn’t always play well. Him coming off against Villa changed the game.
FDJ = Gundogan in my head as a squad replacement.
It’d be interesting to hear what Pep thought about Bernardo’s performances at the back end of the season.Nobody always plays well. Even when Bernardo doesn't he puts a hell of a shift in defensively. Agree that FDJ would be more of a Silky replacement, but for the wages and fee it would involve I'd imagine we've got other options on our radar offering better value. Can't pay marquee fees and wages for a player that won't be a starting player when all are fit and in form which imo he wouldn't be.
Answered your own question with the second paragraphIt’d be interesting to hear what Pep thought about Bernardo’s performances at the back end of the season.
Was he dropping deep because we were protecting a weakened back 4 or was it an impulsive decision by Bernardo to create more stability?
Either way, it wasn’t working until Pep changed it.
Our purchases to replace our 8s will probably define how successful we are over the next few years.
Yeah, I guess my question is was it deliberate, or because we were struggling?Answered your own question with the second paragraph
What back injuries? He was playing with back pains for awhile reportedly, but hasn’t missed out on games for itWhich might not be the greatest of idea's considering Gundo's back injuries. We have added one of the best strikers in World Football we cannot afford to weaken our side just yet.
Not as regular player and Pep still has (had) to manage Gundo very carefully.What back injuries? He was playing with back pains for awhile reportedly, but hasn’t missed out on games for it
Switching to outside full backs on their natural sides is what changed that game. Made the pitch 30 yards wider for usYeah, I guess my question is was it deliberate, or because we were struggling?