Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[fishhhandaricecake]

Contract runs out end of next season and can’t see the club renewing , mainly because of his injury record.

They’ll renew if Ange wants to keep him and Gio is happy to stay.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

would like to see him play the ball quicker and look for offensive passes more often, frustrated me several times this game - probably because i'm used to see madders & sarr have that mindset

I think it’s worth keeping in mind how well City cut down the passing lanes in the first half. City’s pressing was fantastic and it completely stifled us. They were very effective at pushing the ball back and to the side resulting in us giving away possession. This was somewhat alleviated when Kulu dropped deeper to give another outlet but still wasn’t enough. Kulu started the game sitting further forward.

Beyond that our outlets on the wings were not there, Johnson was being completely marked out of the game and they were essentially setting traps for Gil to force the turn over. Essentially Gio’s more delayed passing in the first half was a result of the very few options he had.

Second half was a very different affair, City evidently fatigued and their pressing was less consistently aggressive. That coupled with us moving around personnel and certain players improving in possession resulted in more passing options, less errors and more fluid football.

Gio does in general like to scan when in possession but that is a good thing IMO. I mean 100% pass completion against City for any midfielder is incredibly impressive. That being said he’s also excellent at the first time pass as well. I can think of at least twice against Villa he did that to put us on a counter. In general I find him a very calming presence in our midfield and that is an extremely helpful asset to have. And one has to remember this is only his 2nd league start of the season! To think he’s putting in this level of performance two weeks running when still not 100% match fit is incredibly encouraging imo. In time he will get even better imo.

 

[DannyNZ]

GLC is no Eriksen defensively, he's actually a much more capable defender than people give him credit for. I believe he played as DM for PSG.

The way Bissouma was playing today and his inability to cope with the City press I thought Ange might move Gio into that 6 role as he looked the only player we had that could.

 

[dude573]

If Gio keeps up these performances I am ready to forgive everything. He deserves to be here if this continues.

 

[Tucker]

If Gio keeps up these performances I am ready to forgive everything. He deserves to be here if this continues.

I don’t think there’s anything to forgive to be honest. He just came into the club at the wrong time and it’s only now there’s a manager and environment that suits him.

 

[Thenewcat]

I think he’s a much better player than Sarr. There, I said it

Our top 5 in midfield is very good indeed.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

He’s going to be starting a lot of games, with all these injuries, which i’m happy for, as he needs a run.

Keep at it boy

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I think he’s a much better player than Sarr. There, I said it

He is a different player to Sarr. He can do things that Sarr cannot, and Sarr can do things that Lo Celso cannot.

Its good to have both options available.

 

[dude573]

I don’t think there’s anything to forgive to be honest. He just came into the club at the wrong time and it’s only now there’s a manager and environment that suits him.

Forgive may be a harsh word. However I would argue that on evidence there is a lot to suggest he has prioritised playing from Argentina over Spurs.

But if he continues like this I will have no complaints. He has always been an impressive player when on song.

 

[eddiev14]

He is a different player to Sarr. He can do things that Sarr cannot, and Sarr can do things that Lo Celso cannot.

It’s good to have both options available.

Yeah totally agree.

It’s always felt to me that Gio lacked the desire to really do it in the Premier League. He’d play one great game then 3 shit ones. Obviously injuries haven’t helped.

If that has changed it could be massive for us because he’s a really good player when he’s on it. If he can now consistently play like he did today then that really is like a new signing.

 

[theShiznit]

More mileage in his legs, and good link up with the other midfielders and attackers.
If he can get a real run while Maddison is out it gives us much greater flexibility to play the patterns Ange wants.

I would like to see what he and Maddison could do in the same team as well.

Seems one of these players that needs to feel part of the team, and can look disinterested when he is on the outside looking in.

 

[Finchyid]

I think he’s a much better player than Sarr. There, I said it

What the actual F***

 

[Fitchspur]

Forgive may be a harsh word. However I would argue that on evidence there is a lot to suggest he has prioritised playing from Argentina over Spurs.

But if he continues like this I will have no complaints. He has always been an impressive player when on song.

I don’t think that’s too surprising though. As much as we don’t like it, the shit show and how toxic it’s been here for the past 4 years it must have been a relief to have a break from it whilst in international duty.

 

[mano-obe]

I've always been a huge fan of his but it's rare we see him and these performances. He's done this against City before as well.

I think if he keeps this up he may stake a claim to retain his place for a while

 

[kent brockman]

More mileage in his legs, and good link up with the other midfielders and attackers.
If he can get a real run while Maddison is out it gives us much greater flexibility to play the patterns Ange wants.

I would like to see what he and Maddison could do in the same team as well.

Seems one of these players that needs to feel part of the team, and can look disinterested when he is on the outside looking in.

Seconded. I actually prefer Gio at #8 to compete with Sarr, and Kulu to deputize for Maddison at #10.

 

[DannyNZ]

No he wasn’t our best player…that’s fact

Thanks didn’t realise it was a fact, I thought he was outstanding 100% completion, a goal, tackled tenaciously. Your views on the goals are frankly just stated to support your fact, so he gave away a free kick, it happens and the freekick should have been cleared by Bissouma easily. The second goal blaming GLC you’re having a laugh. Still I stand corrected as it seems it was a fact. You don’t like GLC that’s plain to see but your negativity towards his play is tiresome and that’s a fact.

 

[djhotspur]

Was better but still contributed to us conceding again

I mean he was hardly the problem. I’ve watched maddison give the ball away in dangerous positions including against arsenal. Creative players take risks

 

[sidford]

Him going up against Haaland reminded me of a certain childhood classic

 

[djhotspur]

The question is: can he play with Maddison? If he can, that’ll be amazing. Suspect Ange might go for one or the other

I think he can against low blocks. But I think in games like against city I would play biss benta madds. Against a low block Benta Gio madds. So much creativity

 

[djhotspur]

Pity his contract is winding down really. Unless Ange really is a football Casanova, would be be willing to commit to another 4/5 years here after the disjointed, messy previous 4 with us?

I understand injuries etc have hampered him and I'm not not laying blame on the club etc. it's just been poor timing/luck and with all the managerial changes during his time here he might want a clean break.

Rumours are him and his wife are happy in lomdon with the birth of their daughter