Yves Bissouma

[ninjamonkey]

So, Fernandinho gets a 1 yr extension, because he’s the Captain and an excellent influence, and Rodri < Bissouma!
Got it!

Any thoughts that the Sports Science guys may have had some influence on those late season games, or that Pep wanted his experienced Captain on the field, or that Rodri was carrying a knock no-one was talking about, or, or, or…?!

Carry on.

Carry on with what? Fernandinho doesn't get a 1 year extension because he's the captain, he gets it because his performances on the pitch showed he deserves it. The influence and experience he has is huge and can't be underestinated but make no mistake, he wouldn't be on the pitch and wouldn't be getting an extension if he wasn't upto it and Pep showed us that with Sergio.

The sports science guys don't pick the side, Rodri was continually on the bench during this period, he even played the insignificant games, I've no idea why you're trying to invent an excuse for him not playing in those big games but he was most definitely not injured.

The facts are, Rodri didn't feature in the big games at the end of the season, Fernandinho signed a contract extension a matter of weeks ago and were now linked with a holding midfielder despite having 2 already. All of that allows for a legitimate question to be asked regarding Rodri's future.

 

[TonyM]

I also personally think that Silva was one of the reason we got that far in UCL last season. So we need to replace him with that kind of player. May be one of the 8's of Italy’s midfields. But playing with Grelish....Rodri... KDB....midfield can be backfired like previous ucl campaigns.

I agree. A young Kante would be a perfect Bernardo replacement....if we have to replace him. Needs to be someone with boundless energy.

 

[greasedupdeafguy]

i remember he scored a great goal last season, i was looking for the video of that, and what i found was quite surprising :)

Doesn’t show the misses haha

 

[leo_city]

This to me is a much more important signing if we lose Bernardo, he is available now for a good price, age and profile all fit our needs, gets a year under Fernandinho, I think we will miss out on an ideal replacement if he goes elsewhere.

 

[DMA's]

This to me is a much more important signing if we lose Bernardo, he is available now for a good price, age and profile all fit our needs, gets a year under Fernandinho, I think we will miss out on an ideal replacement if he goes elsewhere.

Good player but don’t see how he replaces Bernardo in anyway? Bernardo is an attacking midfielder/rw can even play false 9. Bissouma would play dm for us he is not an attacking midfielder

 

[leo_city]

Good player but don’t see how he replaces Bernardo in anyway? Bernardo is an attacking midfielder/rw can even play false 9. Bissouma would play dm for us he is not an attacking midfielder

I think we have enough attacking players to allow Bernardo to leave, plus it allows for one of Palmer or someone to get a look in. You could say the same in the sense that Lavia could be the guy but I just can't see it considering his age and inexperience. Also much easier to let an attacking player from academy ease in than a defensive player with heavy duty on him, even greater shoes to fill.

Bissouma would be our DM/box to box. He would also give Rodri and Gündogan competition, the latter of whom we can then use with KDB higher up the pitch permanently instead of sitting deeper with Rodri (depending on the game obviously).

Bernardo is a great player and works his socks off, but just my opinion that when KDB is fit, it is very hard to accommodate him in the side, he lacks that physicality needed for a proper DM or a box to box midfielder, doesn't mean he isn't immense technically and can't adapt, but I think it is time to address that area with a proper 6/8.

 

[Sir peace frog]

Doesn’t show the misses haha

They do, but its a 217 hour video:)

 

[Dax777]

Is @FantasyIreland boy coming?

 

[HaalandEffect]

He is like Ndidi in playstyle?

 

[blueparrot]

I think we have enough attacking players to allow Bernardo to leave, plus it allows for one of Palmer or someone to get a look in. You could say the same in the sense that Lavia could be the guy but I just can't see it considering his age and inexperience. Also much easier to let an attacking player from academy ease in than a defensive player with heavy duty on him, even greater shoes to fill.

Bissouma would be our DM/box to box. He would also give Rodri and Gündogan competition, the latter of whom we can then use with KDB higher up the pitch permanently instead of sitting deeper with Rodri (depending on the game obviously).

Bernardo is a great player and works his socks off, but just my opinion that when KDB is fit, it is very hard to accommodate him in the side, he lacks that physicality needed for a proper DM or a box to box midfielder, doesn't mean he isn't immense technically and can't adapt, but I think it is time to address that area with a proper 6/8.

That might be your opinion and there’s nothing wrong with it, but it doesn’t sound like a Pep opinion to me so I just can’t see him replacing Bernardo. So don’t see how we have room for him now we have signed Fernandinho for a year.
next year seems more likely. Unless Lavia kicks on and we decide to stick with him.