Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[SpursSince1980]

If he can make a big contribution during the run in, Barca could come sniffing. And maybe he can be leveraged to bring in Raphinia on one of Paratici’s loan specials.

 

[worcestersauce]

You clearly watch the games with an agenda then.

Not at all, I watch the games with no agenda perhaps that's why I see what I see.

 

[worcestersauce]

2023-24:
Two assists in our win against Bournemouth - does this not count as "match winning"?
Scored in our draw against Man City - not match winning, but earned us a good point against the reigning PL & European champions.
He has a goal contribution every 104 minutes in the PL, compared to every 123 minutes for Maddison (or every 99 minutes pre-injury). That's very similar output to Maddison and he has backed it up by scoring 1 in 2 for Argentina this year.

2020-21:
Scored a key goal in a win against Man City.

2019-20:
Was widely considered to be our standout player after the COVID pause, and was vital to us clinching European qualification. A lot of people seem to have short / selective memories on this, as it is routinely overlooked by the large majority of fans.

No, not in my view. Perhaps my view is based on higher standards.
As I said, had a good game and has had some good games, he's a good player I just think you see him as of more importance than I do. I think he'd be better off if he went.

 

[joey55]

The Gio situation reminds me a bit of Dembele's first season under Poch. I couldn't get my head around how Poch would pick Bentaleb and Mason ahead of Mousa. I'm not saying Madders, Sarr and Bentancur can be compared to Mason and Bentaleb or Gio is on the level of Mousa, but the fact he gets so little time, given just how good he is, blows my mind. I know he's injured regulalry, but when he's fit he only seems to get a few mins here and there, when I think he should be our first choice sub in most situations. 3-0 down against Fulham and he's the 5th sub brought on with 3 mins to go! I like PEH and Bentancur, but are they really going to help us break down Fulham more than Gio? A fully fit, pre ACL, Bents maybe, but even that is debatable. Similar situaiton against Wolves, we are 2-1 down and Gio is given 5 mins. It's not even like we have deadly forwards on the bench, we'd probably be better off letting the one's on the pitch continue and have Gio come on and create for them.

 

[DannyNZ]

No, not in my view. Perhaps my view is based on higher standards.
As I said, had a good game and has had some good games, he's a good player I just think you see him as of more importance than I do. I think he'd be better off if he went.

“Based on higher standards”, sometimes it’s easier to just admit you were wrong than pull out that nonsense.

 

[UncleBuck]

Hes only on 70k a week, by all accounts he's very happy and settled in London now, just had a baby and his wife loves it here. I would offer him a 3 year extension personally at the same money. He has a part to play

But, It is down to what Ange wants, and it seems like Ange doesn't really want to play him much which is a shame

I bet he’s settled in London on £70k a week, I’ve just woke the Mrs up for laughing at him being ‘only’ on £70k a week and got a rather painful knee to the genitalia for my indiscretion!

 

[easley91]

I bet he’s settled in London on £70k a week, I’ve just woke the Mrs up for laughing at him being ‘only’ on £70k a week and got a rather painful knee to the genitalia for my indiscretion!

Could it make it easier? Yeah probably, but it doesn't automatically mean every problem goes away just like that. We have zero idea what goes on in their personal lives and what it might do to them. you only have to see Richarlison's interview released yesterday as an example. Just because he is on X a week doesn't mean he is settled and happy because of that.

 

[superted4]

He’s clearly very talented but clearly isn’t showing enough in training to change ange’s mind and to trust him. He’s never fit consistently and always got a niggling injury. Yet mostly fit for Argentina.

think there was ITK a while back saying he’s extremely laid back and not really arsed when not selected.

 

[worcestersauce]

“Based on higher standards”, sometimes it’s easier to just admit you were wrong than pull out that nonsense.

Absolutely right, when you are wrong. He's a good player and ought to be able to go somewhere to show it.

 

[freeeki]

Giving @freeeki a run for his money here

Facts tho

 

[cliff jones]

Really divides opinion doesn’t he?

Im on the sell side, myself. I do like him but his injury record means we simply have to trade.

 

[mil1lion]

He's been available a fair bit but unused as well though so it's not entirely fair to suggest he's always injured

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

He’s clearly very talented but clearly isn’t showing enough in training to change ange’s mind and to trust him. He’s never fit consistently and always got a niggling injury. Yet mostly fit for Argentina.

think there was ITK a while back saying he’s extremely laid back and not really arsed when not selected.

Do we care how he behaves when not selected. Isn’t it what he does when he is selected that counts?

 

[brendanb50]

Hes only on 70k a week, by all accounts he's very happy and settled in London now, just had a baby and his wife loves it here. I would offer him a 3 year extension personally at the same money. He has a part to play

But, It is down to what Ange wants, and it seems like Ange doesn't really want to play him much which is a shame

It is a shame because he’s clearly capable but there’s something lacking there which makes Ange at least not want to play him more. Sometimes the fit between a player/team/manager is wrong - nothing wrong with Gio that I personally see but I’m not working with him every day in training.

I assume he’s one we’ll trade on come the summer if we get the right offer.

 

[tevezito]

Do we care how he behaves when not selected. Isn’t it what he does when he is selected that counts?

There was definitely a story about him when Conte was in charge, making a bad impression by starting to organise a weekend BBQ as soon as he found out he wasn't in the team, or something like that. It certainly doesn't make a good impression if you don't seem to care and I doubt Ange would be impressed by it. But then it could just be his personality and not his inner feelings or a reflection of his attitude to training and playing.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

There was definitely a story about him when Conte was in charge, making a bad impression by starting to organise a weekend BBQ as soon as he found out he wasn't in the team, or something like that. It certainly doesn't make a good impression if you don't seem to care and I doubt Ange would be impressed by it. But then it could just be his personality and not his inner feelings or a reflection of his attitude to training and playing.

That doesn’t address my point though. If he’s brilliant on the pitch, do we care whether he’s a miserable shit in training? Isn’t that part of what we pay our coaches to deal with?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

With 2 games in 4 days I’d quite like to see Gio start one game.

 

[Goobers]

Certainly has a say in the run in one would assume should no more injuries arise. I really like him but I am honestly not sure where he fills in unless he is happy to have a rotation role in the squad.

 

[worcestersauce]

Do we care how he behaves when not selected. Isn’t it what he does when he is selected that counts?

You can read that two ways

 

[Mr Pink]

With 2 games in 4 days I’d quite like to see Gio start one game.

I think Luton would be perfect.