Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[Archibald&Crooks]

‘Shocking’ is one of the most overused pieces of hyperbole doing the rounds right now. If people are ‘shocked’ by a footballer’s performance then they have absolutely no idea what the word means. #doublepedant

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I've already praised him in the match thread, but feel the need to reiterate it here. Clear MotM.

We really need him to stay fit for the next couple of months, as he's the cover we need while Maddison is out and Bissouma & Sarr are at AFCON. Based on today's performance, there will be less urgency to risk rushing Maddison back too early. I can't see us being able to sign a better CM (10, 8 or 6) in January - not because of financial restraints / Levy, but because he's better than anyone we've been linked with (e.g. Gallagher).

 

[mil1lion]

‘Shocking’ is one of the most overused pieces of hyperbole doing the rounds right now. If people are ‘shocked’ by a footballer’s performance then they have absolutely no idea what the word means. #doublepedant

That's a pretty shocking post to be honest

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I've already praised him in the match thread, but feel the need to reiterate it here. Clear MotM.

We really need him to stay fit for the next couple of months, as he's the cover we need while Maddison is out and Bissouma & Sarr are at AFCON. Based on today's performance, there will be less urgency to risk rushing Maddison back too early. I can't see us being able to sign a better CM (10, 8 or 6) in January - not because of financial restraints / Levy, but because he's better than anyone we've been linked with (e.g. Gallagher).

If he continues how he has over the last few games then he’ll be more then cover going forward. What an excellent set of CM’s we have in Maddison, Gio, Bentancur, Sarr and Biss plus Kulu. Really if we could just upgrade on PEH for a player who better suits our system we are pretty set there. Considering we will likely/hopefully be competing in Europe next season we need multiple top quality players for each position.

 

[Flobadob]

What a pass for Son’s goal! Unfortunately couldn’t catch the match as I was at work dealing with rowdy prisoners all day but I had to come in here and praise him. I love him as a player, I think he’s absolute class!

 

[djhotspur]

He cleared cares as well despite what peope said. Got stuck in loads.
He’s doing all these interviews now too so clearly wants to stay

 

[Hotspur88]

Assist to son has been the pass of the season for me.

Was exceptional but check out the ball from Bobb (City) on Saturday, it was top class

 

[piedpiper]

In the 1st half naaah, 2nd half naaaah

But in Injury time man was he great

 

[$hoguN]

Really hope we can tie him down. He is the type of player that makes Ange’s football effective.

His vision and passing are magical at times

 

[Yiddo100]

Needs to stay fit and perform until the end of the season and then a new contract will probably come his way.

 

[mark87]

Are there any clips of any potential shithousing from him in this game? I need to inject it into my veins.

Ahhhh this is what I've been looking for

 

[Roberts84]

Was absolutely awful in the first half, pretty much the worst player on the pitch. To be fair to him he was very good in the second half and got a wonderful assist

He worked his backside off in the first half. Was my MoM yesterday

 

[Japhet]

If he continues how he has over the last few games then he’ll be more then cover going forward. What an excellent set of CM’s we have in Maddison, Gio, Bentancur, Sarr and Biss plus Kulu. Really if we could just upgrade on PEH for a player who better suits our system we are pretty set there. Considering we will likely/hopefully be competing in Europe next season we need multiple top quality players for each position.

Precisely why I think Kalvin Phillips would be a better fit for us than Gallagher.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Ahhhh this is what I've been looking for

I have no idea what this means.

 

[mark87]

 

[rossdapep]

We did that when he was on loan with us. He had a 4 or 5 match spell where he was excellent, signed his contract and then got injured/played shit/loaned out. Don't get me wrong he contributed today but I just wonder how committed he is.

it's probably a bit easier under a coach who wants players to be on the ball and having a vice captain in Romero.

Looks like he is close with Bentacur and must enjoy playing with him too

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

We did that when he was on loan with us. He had a 4 or 5 match spell where he was excellent, signed his contract and then got injured/played shit/loaned out. Don't get me wrong he contributed today but I just wonder how committed he is.

I think that is a fair observation from previous seasons - but I see a different level of commitment from many players this season.

Ange has built something that the players want to be a part of - both the tactics, but also just the team atmosphere. I have not seen this level of camaraderie since the early Poch years - where you could see players wanting to play for each other. We have a really strong group of characters in the squad - and Ange has done a great job in building on that.

 

[allpaths]

underrated element he seems to be a glue in the spanish contingent at the club. Really helps settling the young players in that group. As you can see how invested he is in Veliz's wellbeing.

Really love the lad.

 

[robotsonic]

Hopefully it's just me, but I ranted in the match thread during the first half about how absolutely woeful he was. And...to be honest, I really do think he absolutely was. Many wasteful turnovers and a lack of any fuck in getting to any second ball. He had a much better second half, boosted by that pass, but still not seeing where the jazz-fest is coming from. Was not a good enough performance on the whole imo, even in isolation, but nevermind the many, many poor performances gone before.

Seems like such an awkward one for me, as he obviously has it in him to be part of this squad, but you can only see him wanting to stay as a starter, and for me he needs to do more, stay healthy more, and be more consistent for him to have a chance at starting on merit at this club. I suppose the second half of this season will dictate how it pans out, as he needs to be gone this summer unless he signs a new deal.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

Hopefully it's just me, but I ranted in the match thread during the first half about how absolutely woeful he was. And...to be honest, I really do think he absolutely was. Many wasteful turnovers and a lack of any fuck in getting to any second ball. He had a much better second half, boosted by that pass, but still not seeing where the jazz-fest is coming from. Was not a good enough performance on the whole imo, even in isolation, but nevermind the many, many poor performances gone before.

Seems like such an awkward one for me, as he obviously has it in him to be part of this squad, but you can only see him wanting to stay as a starter, and for me he needs to do more, stay healthy more, and be more consistent for him to have a chance at starting on merit at this club. I suppose the second half of this season will dictate how it pans out, as he needs to be gone this summer unless he signs a new deal.

I think his performances should be in the context of his squad role. He is arguably third choice in both the 10 and the 8 role. He is to us what someone like Fabio Vieira is at Arsenal.

He's been given 4 starts this season and has 2 goals and 2 assists. I don't think he was as woeful as you suggest in the first half and he certainly didn't have a lack of any fuck when he won a 50/50 for the first goal.

For the first time since his arrival it feels like he is enjoying himself, with his Argentinian friends and with Ange's style of football.

His long term future will be decided in the summer, but he still has a big role to play this season.