Seems we have a funny situation growing in the midfield, where we have an abundance of players on paper and a seeming lack of presence on the pitch.
Much of this is the Rodri shaped hole in the middle, that we are oddly ill-equipped to fill. No, we were never going to have another Rodri, but it seems Kovacic was never a 6 (this was well known) and it turned out Gundogan's fitness/speed had dropped off somewhat.
With Bobb coming back - and the slightly alarming amount of people who were pinning a turn around in fortunes on his return - it would seem we're getting a bit chocca with players;
KdB, Foden, Silva, Kovacic, Gundogan, Doku, Grealish, Rodri, Bobb, Savinho, Nunes, McAtee, O'Reilly.... That's 13 that fit into 5 places if Haaland plays . Other names could be Echeverri, Stones, Lewis and Gvardiol, but we will ignore those 4.
I feel Rodri, Savinho & Foden (23/24 Foden) are ideal first XI players. KdB will always be floating around the first XI.
Doku, Bobb, Grealish & Silva ; the first 2 could have big futures, the latter a quality players but have question marks on what they want themselves.
Kovacic is a limited player (in my eyes) but a good squad addition.
McAtee could be great? But i feel if his progress is not huge then he will only ever be bit-part, and may leave because of it.
I dont think Nunes or Gundogan will be here beyond the summer. Grealish, Silva & McAtee may or may not leave. KdB is obviously on his final season(s) now.
The ins and outs will be quite major in midfield in 2025. O'Reilly's chance is now, he has to show he is the man to lock up central mid - do we sign short term to cover a big injury again? sign another midfielder who knows he will be benched? will Bobb feature much at all this season beyond the odd sub appearance?
Much of this is the Rodri shaped hole in the middle, that we are oddly ill-equipped to fill. No, we were never going to have another Rodri, but it seems Kovacic was never a 6 (this was well known) and it turned out Gundogan's fitness/speed had dropped off somewhat.
With Bobb coming back - and the slightly alarming amount of people who were pinning a turn around in fortunes on his return - it would seem we're getting a bit chocca with players;
KdB, Foden, Silva, Kovacic, Gundogan, Doku, Grealish, Rodri, Bobb, Savinho, Nunes, McAtee, O'Reilly.... That's 13 that fit into 5 places if Haaland plays . Other names could be Echeverri, Stones, Lewis and Gvardiol, but we will ignore those 4.
I feel Rodri, Savinho & Foden (23/24 Foden) are ideal first XI players. KdB will always be floating around the first XI.
Doku, Bobb, Grealish & Silva ; the first 2 could have big futures, the latter a quality players but have question marks on what they want themselves.
Kovacic is a limited player (in my eyes) but a good squad addition.
McAtee could be great? But i feel if his progress is not huge then he will only ever be bit-part, and may leave because of it.
I dont think Nunes or Gundogan will be here beyond the summer. Grealish, Silva & McAtee may or may not leave. KdB is obviously on his final season(s) now.
The ins and outs will be quite major in midfield in 2025. O'Reilly's chance is now, he has to show he is the man to lock up central mid - do we sign short term to cover a big injury again? sign another midfielder who knows he will be benched? will Bobb feature much at all this season beyond the odd sub appearance?
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