Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[TOLBINY]

GLC wasn't exactly getting lots of minutes prior to Maddison's injury, since when Kulu has emerged as a decent '10'. When everyone is fit we have at least three players to play the '10' role, Maddison, Kulu and GLC. It is not out of the question that GLC ends up third choice.

 

[McFlash]

GLC wasn't exactly getting lots of minutes prior to Maddison's injury, since when Kulu has emerged as a decent '10'. When everyone is fit we have at least three players to play the '10' role, Maddison, Kulu and GLC. It is not out of the question that GLC ends up third choice.

And with Donley and Devine looking to push through, do we really need him taking up a squad place IF we get a decent offer for him? Either now or in the summer?

I like Gio, he's a good little player but if he's not in the long term plans...

 

[jonnyp]

The guy is made of cardboard.

 

[Thenewcat]

Personally, I think that with the market as it is, we have to consider any half decent offer we get on a player that has no future at the club.
As with big Dav, I'd rather clear them out when the chance arises and suffer the short term consequences, than carry on with a bloated squad of players that we don't want, or can't shift.

It's not ideal but it's where we are, we've got to clear the space to be able to rebuild the squad.
I don't expect everyone to feel the same but that's my current stance at present, we can't keep hanging in to players "just in case".

Of course, ideally we'd sell and replace but I don't think we can afford not to sell if the opportunity presents itself.
It's not about a decreasing value for me, it's about the spaces in the squad and the need to clear the decks.

But Gio isn’t in that category. He isn’t Ndombele, and we don’t have too many midfielders. In fact we know we are short, so selling a good player just because we get a reasonable offer is crazy. The ‘short term consequences’ could be missing out on the CL, which is worth ten or more times the difference in gio’s value in Jan or the summer. If Ange thought Donley or Devine were ready to play ahead of Gio it would be different, but there is zero evidence that is the case

 

[mil1lion]

GLC wasn't exactly getting lots of minutes prior to Maddison's injury, since when Kulu has emerged as a decent '10'. When everyone is fit we have at least three players to play the '10' role, Maddison, Kulu and GLC. It is not out of the question that GLC ends up third choice.

Not just Maddison but Richarlison being out allowed him more game time. Once Richarlison got back it allowed us to move Kulusevski into the 10 role.

 

[McFlash]

But Gio isn’t in that category.

In your opinion, maybe but not for everyone and none of us know what Ange thinks, nor what his plans are for the future.

It won't be long til Madders is back and Deki is covering the position very well, so as I say, it's only my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree but I wouldn't be against letting him go.
I like him but he can't be relied upon and I just don't think he's one for us going forward, so I could understand letting him go.

Do you really think Gio could be the deciding factor in us getting CL or not? Because I don't, if I'm honest.

 

[Thenewcat]

In your opinion, maybe but not for everyone and none of us know what Ange thinks, nor what his plans are for the future.

It won't be long til Madders is back and Deki is covering the position very well, so as I say, it's only my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree but I wouldn't be against letting him go.
I like him but he can't be relied upon and I just don't think he's one for us going forward, so I could understand letting him go.

Do you really think Gio could be the deciding factor in us getting CL or not? Because I don't, if I'm honest.

I just think with our two best midfielders injured and the next two definitely missing some games letting the 5th choice go is stupid. And yeah Kulu can cover 10, but then we’ve got no cover for the front 3. Let’s not forget new injuries can happen too, and madders in particular is pretty injury prone.

As for the last question, yes of course he could. I’d feel more confident in us getting points from any game Gio starts ahead of PEH or Skipp. If either has to play for an extended period that is going to cost us points.

I guess I find it really hard to understand that people are blase about squad depth. We did this with CB in the summer and it’s probably cost us 4-7 points already, and yet people are prepared to risk the same in a position where we have injuries and AFCON as existing issues. If you think PEH or Skipp are better than Gio then I disagree but I understand the logic of selling him. If not it’s bonkers to me. If everyone is fit he isn’t going to play much, I agree. But that’s a fucking big if and we’ve already seen the consequence of relying on it

 

[Thenewcat]

Not just Maddison but Richarlison being out allowed him more game time. Once Richarlison got back it allowed us to move Kulusevski into the 10 role.

I’m so glad to know we definitely aren’t going to have any more injuries all season. Totally changes my view, let’s sell all our reserves

 

[mil1lion]

I’m so glad to know we definitely aren’t going to have any more injuries all season. Totally changes my view, let’s sell all our reserves

Such a weird reply to what I wrote

 

[jonnyp]

But Gio isn’t in that category. He isn’t Ndombele, and we don’t have too many midfielders. In fact we know we are short, so selling a good player just because we get a good offer is instance. The ‘short term consequences’ could be missing out on the CL, which is worth ten or more times the difference in gio’s value in Jan or the summer. If Ange thought Donley or Devine were ready to play ahead of Gio it would be different, but there is zero evidence that is the case

He's been more injured than fit for us, on large wages, takes up a squad space. We will have Maddison and Bentancur back at some point early next year and he will not be playing much when that happens. Soon he'll have little resale value too due to contact ending in 2025. Just sell when we have the chance.

 

[Fredo]

Skipp should be sold before GLC for starters

 

[Thenewcat]

Such a weird reply to what I wrote

It’s not. You and others keep saying when x is back and y is available we won’t need Lo Celso. That’s great but in the real world having cover in case of (more) injuries is a good idea. Right now we have 7 players I’d trust for 6 positions (Biss, Sarr, Kulu, Johnson, Richy, Son and Gio). We know for sure 3 of those are missing time in the new year, and we don’t know when others will be back or if we get new injuries.

 

[jonnyp]

It’s not. You and others keep saying when x is back and y is available we won’t need Lo Celso. That’s great but in the real world having cover in case of (more) injuries is a good idea. Right now we have 7 players I’d trust for 6 positions (Biss, Sarr, Kulu, Johnson, Richy, Son and Gio). We know for sure 3 of those are missing time in the new year, and we don’t know when others will be back or if we get new injuries.

The guy is the most injury prone player we have after Sessegnon. We cannot rely on him for any extended period of time.

 

[jonnyp]

Skipp should be sold before GLC for starters

If we had homegrown backup I would tend to agree but we're not really stacked in that regard these days.

 

[McFlash]

I just think with our two best midfielders injured and the next two definitely missing some games letting the 5th choice go is stupid. And yeah Kulu can cover 10, but then we’ve got no cover for the front 3. Let’s not forget new injuries can happen too, and madders in particular is pretty injury prone.

As for the last question, yes of course he could. I’d feel more confident in us getting points from any game Gio starts ahead of PEH or Skipp. If either has to play for an extended period that is going to cost us points.

I guess I find it really hard to understand that people are blase about squad depth. We did this with CB in the summer and it’s probably cost us 4-7 points already, and yet people are prepared to risk the same in a position where we have injuries and AFCON as existing issues. If you think PEH or Skipp are better than Gio then I disagree but I understand the logic of selling him. If not it’s bonkers to me. If everyone is fit he isn’t going to play much, I agree. But that’s a fucking big if and we’ve already seen the consequence of relying on it

I do understand where you're coming from and it would be a risk, no doubt about it.
Just that, for me, this is a rebuild season, a transitional one and if we ended up in 6th, I'd see that as a successful season this year.

The most important thing for me right now is to trim the squad and get in players that suit Ange/he wants.
If that means that we don't get CL this year, I could accept that to be in a better position for next season.
I don't think many of us were expecting top 4 back in August anyway.

 

[mil1lion]

It’s not. You and others keep saying when x is back and y is available we won’t need Lo Celso. That’s great but in the real world having cover in case of (more) injuries is a good idea. Right now we have 7 players I’d trust for 6 positions (Biss, Sarr, Kulu, Johnson, Richy, Son and Gio). We know for sure 3 of those are missing time in the new year, and we don’t know when others will be back or if we get new injuries.

Please show me where I said we don't need Lo Celso?

 

[DannyNZ]

GLC wasn't exactly getting lots of minutes prior to Maddison's injury, since when Kulu has emerged as a decent '10'. When everyone is fit we have at least three players to play the '10' role, Maddison, Kulu and GLC. It is not out of the question that GLC ends up third choice.

Until Solomon comes back we are short in the front three and any injury will see Kulu back out right.

 

[marion52]

Seems to me he always picks up little niggles and injuries, he’s one I would look to move on/ replace.

 

[kd2000]

Skipp should be sold before GLC for starters

Although I would agree based purely on ability, when building a squad you need options that you can rely on.
I don't think GLC is that player.
He isn't able to remain fit for prolonged periods and it takes him a while to get back to any sort of form following injuries.
Skipp isn't the greatest player, but he is a reliable squad member.
Personally, I wonder if it is the 1000mph nature of the premier league which is a big factor in GLC's injuries and he may be better off somewhere like spain or Italy if we can get decent money for him. However, there arent many teams on the continent that have decent money to spend.

 

[Japhet]

Personally, I think that with the market as it is, we have to consider any half decent offer we get on a player that has no future at the club.
As with big Dav, I'd rather clear them out when the chance arises and suffer the short term consequences, than carry on with a bloated squad of players that we don't want, or can't shift.

It's not ideal but it's where we are, we've got to clear the space to be able to rebuild the squad.
I don't expect everyone to feel the same but that's my current stance at present, we can't keep hanging in to players "just in case".

Of course, ideally we'd sell and replace but I don't think we can afford not to sell if the opportunity presents itself.
It's not about a decreasing value for me, it's about the spaces in the squad and the need to clear the decks.

You also have to factor in that before the start of the season everyone was predicting a rough journey while we got to grips with Ange and his system. Clearing out any deadwood was widely welcomed and Sanchez was part of that. Of course, we made a cracking start but then the Chelsea game happened and we were left short. I don't know what sort of CB we could have signed back then, but I bet we're now a much more attractive prospect to most players than we were back then. That all gets conveniently ignored though when people want to bang the 'Levy left him short' drum. No excuses this time round though since it's pretty evident we're onto a good thing.