Kyle Walker

[mattcity5]

Memory serves me right, think it was Pep himself who said he’d be playing more centrally, then a couple of times late in season he came on and played centrally whilst Bernie stayed out wide.

We don't always know exactly what Pep means by these kinds of comments though. Sometimes he can be talking about 2 or 3 years down the line, or he may still mean playing out wide but drifting infield more often.

I don't know if this is the case here, but I know that lots of times things are said and taken out of context and then that becomes the new truth.

I'd say with the new 'box midfield' this gives Pep the chance to play Foden centrally more often and still get him in areas where he can do damage, but there are no guarantees. Pep changes his tactics fairly often and playing Phil wide right may become what the team needs, at least in the short term.

 

[BrazilianGus]

I don't know where the Phil going central narrative is coming from?

I have said here that for me Phil is far from a Pep midfielder as it stands, and I also do not think he will play much there. However, KDB starts the season injured and because he was forced to play through an injury, football shows that he will have recurring issues. Could be a very, very difficult season for him. So I expect Phil to be one of the solutions to fill his spot. Either way, with Mahrez going, regardless of Bernardo staying or leaving, we will need to sign either a senior winger or midfielder. The numbers for the squad just aren’t there. It’s the same thing for the people who think we can let Walker go and handle the season with 5 center backs + Lewis. It’s insanity

 

[Rammy Blue]

Anyway, this is a Kyle Walker thread so prob best not to be overly discussing Phil in here!

 

[supercity88]

I don't know where the Phil going central narrative is coming from?

I know that's where we would all like to see him, but Pep has constantly said he needs to slow things down in his head to play there every week?

Perhaps that time has come, but he is a world class talent and needs to be starting every week, that right side is there for him right now.

From all the training videos Phil has been posting during the summer, I get a sense he is ready to explode and be the best player in the country next season.

Everybody talks about Phil being a great player, but nobody is yet describing him as a pivotal one, but that should change with his talent.

We saw him there more frequently at the end of the season, and indeed in the Champions League final he was the man to play central despite Bernardo being available to switch into that position.

There has been a clear change in approach from him in terms of slowing the game down. When he came on centrally against Real Madrid he played keep ball, he wasn't looking to drive forwards and make something happen every time and we saw him at his best when he did swivel on the ball and slide Alvarez in for the 4th.

The CL final we saw that exceptional turn from him which completely did for the Inter defence, but the shot sadly was lacking, because that would have been one of the best ever CL final goals for me. We even saw his patience in the build up to our goal. I'm sure 12 months ago Phil tries to make something happen in the box to get a shot or pass away, but instead he went backwards and it actually looked like the threat had gone until he switched it to Akanji and Bernardo made the run in behind.

It is a huge season for him, although he did return his best scoring season in the league despite his injuries and played in more league games than in any previous season so the trajectory is still there. Hopefully this is the season he takes off.

 

[BrazilianGus]

We saw him there more frequently at the end of the season, and indeed in the Champions League final he was the man to play central despite Bernardo being available to switch into that position.

I usually read this as an example of why he’d be used more centrally, but you are saying that Pep choosing to make one change to his original plan on the 19 minute mark as opposed to two changes means that much I think is an exaggeration. I also don’t think Phil had a particularly great game on that final.
In that Real Madrid game Pep kept KdB on for way than he should. You’d think he wouldn’t have hesitated bringing Phil earlier if there was all that confidence in him taking the role. Ditto maybe even for the Madrid away game when he made zero subs despite the tiredness, probably afraid of changing the tempo

 

[Any1aBlue]

That's a perfect summation in my view. Mahrez was one of our best players in recent years on the occasions he was on it but I never felt he was one to be beside in the trenches when the going got tough.

At last folks talking sensibly about Mahrez. Best first touch ive ever seen, but too much of a predictable one trick pony (either pass backwards or cut in and try to shoot). Went missing far too often for my liking. He can easily be replaced by our academy stars (Palmer for example) for me.

 

[supercity88]

I usually read this as an example of why he’d be used more centrally, but you are saying that Pep choosing to make one change to his original plan on the 19 minute mark as opposed to two changes means that much I think is an exaggeration. I also don’t think Phil had a particularly great game on that final.
In that Real Madrid game Pep kept KdB on for way than he should. You’d think he wouldn’t have hesitated bringing Phil earlier if there was all that confidence in him taking the role. Ditto maybe even for the Madrid away game when he made zero subs despite the tiredness, probably afraid of changing the tempo

I don't think many had a particularly good game in the CL final, but the fact Phil was played centrally means the trust was there. Pep has always seen Phil as being capable of playing in that role, but the Gazza comparison is a good one. He's always looking to get forwards and make things happen. He didn't play particularly well there when used. He played it against Chelsea and was okay, but disappeared in the second half. But the fact he's being used there more means it's something Pep's looking at which is why there's talk of it. It's also worth noting that De Bruyne isn't typical of that role either, and had to be reminded by Pep last season that patience was key. He spent long periods way out of form, looking to carry the ball the length of the pitch or play an impossible pass each time he received it. Only when he started playing simple passes and getting his rhythm back did it click again and we saw him hit his best form when we needed him.

Hopefully Phil can kick on this season and make that central spot his own. His vision and ability make it clear it's the best place for him on the pitch. But he still needs to improve in the control he shows.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Yep, the whole 'pausa' references to the position required.

Up to now, I think Phil still plays the central game more like Gazza, when Pep wants him to calm down and be more Iniesta?

Yes Phil still gives the ball away more than almost any it’s player but he has everything else needed to become a World star. That turn against Inter! Scuffed the shot though!

 

[nmc]

Caceido?

Love that player.

£100m plus Cole on loan for 12 months ?

 

[Coatigan]

Not that I particularly believe it, but at that price it would be worth just keeping him for his final year and letting him go for free next season. I know the club won't stand in any player's way when they want the move, but they have also clearly shown that the right offer needs to be there.