Kalvin Phillips’ one decent attribute is the long diagonal pass. We don’t ever use that (Except Walker from time to time). It was a terrible transfer by us. It was lazy.
Im convinced the Pep/Bielsa relationship got Phillips the move. He will never be good enough for us in that Rodri role.
Double like. I'd love Laporte to stay. He's brilliant. Not to say he's perfect but who is?Laporte did a better job at DM than Philips in the recent games and he's got the long diagnol pass too that he uses all the time at left center back.
Maybe that's the solution all along.. sell Philips, train Laporte to fill in at DM when required so he's not a one position player.
No, if Laporte had what's required to be a DM,Pep would have seen it long agao and tried it.Laporte did a better job at DM than Philips in the recent games and he's got the long diagnol pass too that he uses all the time at left center back.
Maybe that's the solution all along.. sell Philips, train Laporte to fill in at DM when required so he's not a one position player.
With previous targets not kicking off right away (ie Cancelo, Jack or even Mahrez) you could see the level of quality on and off when playing... I just cannot see how Phillips can fill the gap Rodri leaves behind when resting... I do think it's time to move on and try again.
If he's out of his depth then we'll no doubt try and sell him this summer. I suspect though we won't try and sell him.I think he's got the ability. question is does he have the football intelligence and mentallity.Yeah mate, I think he’s out of his depth here unfortunately
I think they won't sell him because they've invested into him now and cannot get their value back... They'll probably give him next season and then ship. Sadly it's gonna take its toll on Rodri and/or our less important comps next season.If he's out of his depth then we'll no doubt try and sell him this summer. I suspect though we won't try and sell him.I think he's got the ability. question is does he have the football intelligence and mentallity.
What did Ortega do to get sold? Bellingham off to Real mate. Gotta replace Cancelo too.Players In:
Gvardiol £70M
Bellingham £120M
Total Out: £190M
Players Out:
Cancelo £45M
Laporte £45M
Phillips £35M
Stefan £5M
U21 players £10M
Palmer...etc £5M (loan fees)
Total In: £145M
Total Spend: £45M
valuations: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/
Well you say that but a couple of seasons ago he tried John Stones as a DM and he was dreadful. Now look at him.No, if Laporte had what's required to be a DM,Pep would have seen it long agao and tried it.
I don't believe for a minute that if Pep thought there was no chance he could do what's being asked of him he would keep him and not replaace him with somebody else. Pep has no invetment in anything other than the players he wants.In a position so important to the team, from a manager that knows that position better than anyone in football, to think he'd accept an inferior player just so the club doesn't look a bit silly is frankly ridiculous.I think they won't sell him because they've invested into him now and cannot get their value back... They'll probably give him next season and then ship. Sadly it's gonna take its toll on Rodri and/or our less important comps next season.