Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[JCRD]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

I think we need to move beyond having a first eleven and think along the lines of having a first 18 or even just a first team squad if that makes sense. You tailor the team according to who youre playing against etc... so against the Burnleys then you play everyone with an ounce of creativity...

I just generally think the first eleven no longer exists but perhaps its an idealistic way of looking at things

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Do not know if mentioned but sth I picked up on Twatter (I know) but who knows:
We possibly have agreed a deal for Lo Celso which would be around 23m for Paris (sell on fee).
And they are thinking of investing this money in our Danny Rose and we get our cash back.

Probably not true but I smell some Levy deals right here.

Are we not using super agent Pini Zahavi at the moment ? Maybe he's the facilitator in the merry go round

 

[S17PUR]

I think we need to move beyond having a first eleven and think along the lines of having a first 18 or even just a first team squad if that makes sense. You tailor the team according to who youre playing against etc... so against the Burnleys then you play everyone with an ounce of creativity...

I just generally think the first eleven no longer exists but perhaps its an idealistic way of looking at things

I do tend to agree with you, but in big matches we usually find that managers will favour particular personnel. Also I can't see us spending circa £60m on someone and not starting them in the majority of games.

 

[scat1620]

All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

I'm prepared to risk this for this.

 

[cabinfever]

I think we need to move beyond having a first eleven and think along the lines of having a first 18 or even just a first team squad if that makes sense. You tailor the team according to who youre playing against etc... so against the Burnleys then you play everyone with an ounce of creativity...

I just generally think the first eleven no longer exists but perhaps its an idealistic way of looking at things

That is a brilliant post!!

 

[JKendall13]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

The hope would be that we're not limping to the finish line with a fucking cart of invalids and broken men trailing behind us like we were this season.

Would be refreshing to be able to put out sides in domestic cup competitions that don't walk through them to save energy and to be able to make 5-6 changes a match during the festive period.

I'm quite surprised how far the utilization of sport science and physical recovery concepts in European sports is behind American sports. In American sports, resting players and ensuring proper rest has become a near obsession for teams and athletes. Most studies indicate that properly balancing rest drastically increases performance for players and reduces injuries. When you consider how many injuries we've had and how we are complaining about the form of players like Eriksen and Dele, there's a good chance that a lot that could be mitigated by more effectively balancing their playing schedules through increased depth.

Additionally, I was reading something recently that the highest xG in a game come from players who are subbed on or subbed off before the end of the 90, with players that play the whole game as a distant third. We've totally lacked the ability to make impact substitutions during the entire Pochettino era because our bench options are often shocking.

 

[hughy]

I'm prepared to risk this for this.

As long as it makes them raise their game instead of sulking, I'd agree.

 

[rossdapep]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

We will have players injured, it's inevitable.

We will also be aiming for 60+games. That's plenty of opportunity for everyone. Sure, you don't want players moping about causing problems but I think Poch and the squad will never allow that to disrupt squad harmony. This isn't Chelsea where there are factions that start working behind the managers back. We are more like Fergie's United, everyone knows you mess with Poch and you're alone.

 

[JCRD]

That is a brilliant post!!

Dude - you drunk?

 

[SpartanSpur]

Are we not using super agent Pini Zahavi at the moment ? Maybe he's the facilitator in the merry go round

I was thinking this earlier.

We've bought Ndombele from Lyon for a pretty large fee.
Lyon are now selling Fekir to Betis for a low price
Betis have in turn dropped their price for Lo Celso to come to us.
The sell on % going to PSG may well be used to sign Rose from us.

 

[JCRD]

I do tend to agree with you, but in big matches we usually find that managers will favour particular personnel. Also I can't see us spending circa £60m on someone and not starting them in the majority of games.

Youre right and technically there is a definite first eleven but then let battle commence amongst those players. I do think we will sell a couple from midfield particularly Wanyama although Dier will stay because of his flexibility.

 

[TheAmerican]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

That's the end of any argument for that, imo. The in-form players will play, the others won't. We're better of for that.

 

[spids]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

I quite like the idea of the likes of Eriksen, Kane, Dele etc. not playing more than 40 games a season. Finish strong. Win domestic cups etc.

Further to this, in recent seasons, and especially last season, we clearly dropped our work rate off the ball and sat off teams. The likes of Eriksen and Dele were shattered after the WC and no pre-season and carried injuries. Poch can now play the high press (which was evident 1st half vs Juve) and pick fresh players. Dele not putting a shift in? Off he comes and on comes Lo Celso or Lamela or Moura. Eriksen or Kane gone stale thru too much football? Send them on a week long winter break to Dubai with their families and reap the benefits in April / May.

 

[WiganSpur]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

We're not Liverpool so we'll be fine in that respect. We always get an injury or ten.

But in all seriousness you might have a point. Funnily enough signing more players is likely to result in less injuries from overplaying the current crop. It's a fine balance, but i'd rather have this than a thin squad.

The added freshness, competition and ability to compete on all 4 fronts massively outweighs any concerns about player unrest for me.

 

[Scissors&Tape]

Man City has at least 5 top shelf midfielders (KDB, the two Silvas, Gundogan, and Mahrez) and 4 forwards (Aguero, Sterling, Jesus, & Sane), not to mention old Fernandinho and young Foden, all competing for 6 spots. I think that is the kind of flexibility and depth we are shooting for.

 

[Primativ]

 

[DanielCHillier]

Man City has at least 5 top shelf midfielders (KDB, the two Silvas, Gundogan, and Mahrez) and 4 forwards (Aguero, Sterling, Jesus, & Sane), not to mention old Fernandinho and young Foden, all competing for 6 spots. I think that is the kind of flexibility and depth we are shooting for.

And Rodri who is Fernandinho's successor.

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

We have unbelievable depth with the signings. I think the first XI would look something like a diamond with Winks at the base, Sissoko and Ndombele on sides and Eriksen at the top with Dele/Son up there with Kane. Having options to mix and match our XI plus change things up off the bench are things we havent had the luxury of and we would now. Not so fussed on who goes from starting 85% of matches to 70% because we play so many these days, we need more quality and there are chances to go around for playing time.

 

[spursfan77]

If we assume that both Lo Celso and Ndombele make our first eleven, who misses out? I'm all for squad depth, but we're going to be in quite a new position (if this goes ahead) of having big name players on the bench. All the best teams have this, but there's always the risk that someone gets upset.

If we stick with a 4-2-3-1 then the 2 is between Sissoko, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama and Winks (plus potentially Lo Celso). In the 3 we'd then have Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Lamela, Lucas. I'm intrigued to see what system we play and who misses out when everyone is fit.

It's also curious that we apparently see Lo Celso as a priority over and above a RB for instance. Poch is either happy with his RB options, sees Lo Celso as too good an opportunity to turn down, or really saw CM and AM as areas we needed to significantly strengthen.

We’ve been negotiating for lo celso since May though. I’m sure since then we’ve had differing thoughts on right back.

 

[scat1620]

That Daily Hotspur Twitter account is fucking bollocks. They @ L'Equipe in their tweet, but just having a look at the L'Equipe Twitter now there's absolutely nothing about Fekir's move bringing a transfer of Lo Celso to Spurs closer, not even in the latest article posted by L'Equipe about the Fekir transfer.

Now the Daily Hotspur probably aren't wrong - I imagine that Fekir moving to Betis will be a catalyst for bringing Lo Celso to Spurs - but it's disingenuous bullshit to imply that L'Equipe are running that line at the moment.

Fuck this clickbait-y Twitter account, is what I'm trying to say.