One thing that is concerning me, is that it feels like Pep doesn't trust the players like he may have used to. I actually think that has more to do with the formation against Lyon than when he's tinkered previously, where I think he was trying to be too clever.
We've seen that the players he really trusts play consistently, and the players he doesn't trust don't play even when it makes sense. The only exception is when there's multiple players he trusts in one position, in which case he rotates the roles. Last season it was only really Delph, maybe Danilo at times, and later Sané that you felt got sidelined.
As the season's gone on, it's gone into overdrive. We've seen almost nothing from Stones and Otamendi. He even went with a 35 year old midfielder and a 19 year old wantaway ahead of them. Zinchenko's been used less and less, and Mendy wasn't used ahead of a right footer at LB against Lyon. He's also resisted using Fernandinho in midfield. David Silva has become an afterthought. Bernardo has been used less and less. Mahrez hasn't started either of these two CL games despite being largely an ever present previously.
And then the attack's weird. I think he's lost some enthusiasm for Aguero. I think he really likes Jesus but I reckon he sees him more as a Muller than a Lewandowski (ie the secondary goalscorer). And I believe he rates Foden but has doubts because of age related issues. We've used a false 9 a lot this year.
Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Rodri, and Sterling. They all have a place in the team, even if they screw up, whether we rate them or not. He trusts them. Aguero, Jesus, Foden, and Fernandinho, are all on the periphery of that level. Everyone else, there's a question mark.
Some of these guys are deadwood, but you feel a lot need a kick up the backside. For example, Walker for the most part has reacted well to whenever his place has been under threat. Aguero too has historically been like that. And Sterling.
Although a couple of holes need plugging, I think it's VERY important that whoever we sign has an invigorating effect on the squad. We have a lot of players that aren't anywhere near their best that can get back up to that level, but they need a push.
