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Good post again. De Jong is physical enough to withstand pressure even in close encounters. But it is always to shield the ball in situations where he procures an advantage based on his technique and his spatial awareness. He never goes in 50-50 physical duels because his ball control almost...

It is normal in the sense that it is normal for Spain fans to watch more EPL than viceversa. But still, Pedri is a high profile player and you sould know how good he is just by watching Spain or El Clasico matches. If you don't watch El Clasico at least from Spain, you are a bit of an ignorant...

I do not think for example that Gavi has been well enough physically to start 3 games with Pedri and De Jong. His injury with Spain happened at the worst time. Just before Flick came at the team. Missed an important step and now has to catch up.

Good post. It's a matter of channeling the energy in the right direction and encapsulating those qualities in the right framework technically and tactically. Let Gavi stay fit, really fit, for a full season with Flick and then we will see more about him. Difficult to know how is Gavi like...

Just show how EPL closed down those guys are. Really believe the fantasy that EPL has highest talent lol. And they didn't see Yamal playing in England yet. Maybe vs Chelsea they can enjoy both.

Gavi can polish some of his bad habbits. Can grow as a player for sure. He is very young. Some time can settle the midfield on Pedri - FDJ - Gavi. Which is what fans envisioned many years ago.

For example, should the third man to complement FDJ & Pedri be more pure AM, or more defensive oriented? Is FDJ - Pedri enough to cover the midfield, or no. For me, they are not enough defensively. Which is why Olmo and Fermin are more rotation players than starters in a hyphotethically done...

But, again, the bigger task is finding the 3rd man to complement Pedri and FDJ. Who is that 3rd man and do we have it or need to outsource it? Very few question Pedri and FDJ now in 2025 as the golden duo of our side in midfield.

Yes. But I don't see that anymore. As said, for me Pedri is clear. The bigger taks is getting Gavi to upgrade himself, fix his injury status and see if Pedri and Gavi can dominate together as it was believed some while ago. You gave up on Gavi? He can add different things to Pedri.

This supposed duel with Pedri vs Gavi. Pedri clearly ahead. More of an actual conversation is wether Gavi can deliver on his initial promise and lock a position as our starter. Or we could move some midfielders and sign a different player in midfield in the next 2-3 seasons. Jury is still out...

That was true 2-3 years ago. Not anymore. Pedri is almost universally recognized as one of the best in the world in CM. Him being more physical and past his injury problems unleashed him. Part of maturing I guess. Not as much of a teenager, but a young adult now. More robust.

I rate PSG midfield right up there with ours, but PSG's power also came from Hakimi and Mendes. Without those two, who are a menace in all attacking phases, I think our midfield would dominate the PSG guys.

And even though the squad is doing well, there are some players with not great progress I wouldn't have an issue selling for a good price.

Yeah, someone like Van de Ven, but before a rich club snatches him. Somehow, Belgian, Dutch, and German clubs dialed in on some good CB prospects. And are selling them for good, but not outrageous prices. Free agents market is also a good option. Maybe even La Liga domestic market.

That's good, imo LCB is key priority now. If we find one who can cover LB also... even better. Just start with the right physical profile and make a list of talents. Tallish, fast, good mentality.

True. Sounds surreal, but trying to find a weakness so far and nothing. Even his foot game is solid. Will probably make some big error from time to time, but even Courtois and Alisson have those at times.

Got lucky he popped up at a great price, with great age when we needed it, right in our city :lol:. Now if we could find a CB and a LB like that also... at that price point... would be a dream.

What I see in him is a high degree of talent. It's more than just mentality imo. I have watched him so far, and his movement in goal is incredible. The way he catches low crosses for example, fuck it's good, lightning fast in going down from standing position. No dumb spills, no punching shots...

I was impressed but I knew we can do it. Because Flick values physicality and effort also, we are not a technical side with fitness issues that can be bullied by physical teams anymore. Only time we looked physically poor last season in Europe was at 4-0 in the tie vs Dortmund away. If we can...

And the funny and unforgivable part is he did that while giving the club some to the worst European humiliations between 2017 and 2020. Incredible failure. I mean he fucked up the finances just so he can pick up humiliations in Europe 4 years in a row? 0-3 vs Juve, 0-3 vs Roma, 0-4 vs...