Should Navas be starting games?

[blueyorkie]

Following on from discussions in other threads, be interesting to know whether people think that Navas should be starting games.

He's never been my favourite player, but the team seem to function so much better when he is in it. The perfect record in the first 5 games, and our win percentage with him in the side must be very impressive.

When Sterling plays on the left, Navas gives us great balance on the right. He stays wide, works hard and his pace is a threat. His value to the team was perfectly illustrated when he came on tonight and he helped to change the pattern of the game. Because he stays wide, it stretched the Everton defence and allowed gaps to open up for Kun and Sterling to expolit, and leaves space for Silva to work his magic.

I sincerely hope De Bruyne is back from his injury and fit and healthy as soon as possible.

In the meantime, should we be starting with the front 4 that started the season so impreessively? For me it looks like a no brainer at the moment.

It's no coincidence that in the first 5 games when we looked unstoppable Navas played wide right & Sterling on the left.

 

[Dunne's own goal]

He's better when he comes on as a substitute.

True. But I'd start him away from home and bench at home.

But, now that Zabba is back and we actually have a fullback with a footballing brain to make (for example overlapping) runs it will help Navas too so if he starts at home I'm not bothered

 

[RandomJ]

I just can't get behind him starting games for us when he doesn't offer a goal threat. I know people on here like to say he brings balance to the side and runs at full backs but football is won by sticking the ball in the net. He hardly ever scores and most of his crosses hit the first man. I think we need an upgrade for his position in the summer.

 

[PragueBlue]

Yes, he should. We look far better when he's playing than when he isn't.

 

[Shaelumstash]

It's no coincidence that in the first 5 games when we looked unstoppable Navas played wide right & Sterling on the left.

Completely agree mate. He's probably not one of our best 11 players, but he does get in our best, most balanced team.

Him and Sterling staying wide really stretched opposition back 4s, creating space for Aguero.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Got the best of Mr Beans when he came on.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Hopefully it has now registered with the boss thst our best 11 players and our best team arent the same thing.We look far more cohesive,balanced and industrious with the two wide men and the omission of Yaya.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Having a very good season-excellent again tonight. Works hard with and importantly without the ball. Gives us proper width, pace and ability to carry the ball in transition from defence to attack. Defends well. Rarely gives it away. Great pro.

This

 

[stablemcfc]

The stats comparing him starting with him not starting would suggest we're better with him in.

Said it y'day, we'll miss KDB's end product but it's certainly not the end of the world if he misses a few weeks as we'll be forced into what worked so well at the beginning of the season & have players in their natural roles (you'd imagine at least that's what we'll go for) in a more balanced team.

 

[cibaman]

He's much more effective coming off the bench.