Despite the great start to the season, it's hard not to notice the lack of production we've gotten alongside Kane and Son upfront. There's no shortage of proven talent for the right-wing forward position, but the attacking intent and productivity have been absent so far this season.
Bergwijn and Lucas have started the majority of matches and have only 1 goal (a tap-in) and no assists between them. They offer excellent workrate and defensive solidity tracking back, and have the dribbling, pace, and ball striking ability to be formidable in a front three, but have been off the pace for some time. Then there's Bale, who at his best, could be the difference between a title contender and a title pretender. However, he's clearly not been fit, nor playing his best in largely appearances limited to the Europa League. Lamela, when fit, has arguably been the most influential of the players in the aforementioned position, but his continual injuries are a problem, and Mourinho seems to prefer to use him as a bench option. Other unorthodox options for the position are Lo Celso and possibly even Dele playing on the inside right, with Aurier overlapping them. I suppose you could even play Vinicius in place of someone on the right in some matches.
I'm not sure what the best option is and perhaps it depends on the opponent. Bale in matches where we have possession and then one of the more defensive minded forwards for the more difficult away matches is something I've seen posited here. One thing is for sure and that's over the course of a season, you can't rely on two players to score and assist 80% of your goals. For now, you can understand Mourinho persisting with Bergwijn given that he is probably the one who will have a long-term future at the club, but perhaps the upcoming fixture glut will give others a chance to cement a place.
Bergwijn and Lucas have started the majority of matches and have only 1 goal (a tap-in) and no assists between them. They offer excellent workrate and defensive solidity tracking back, and have the dribbling, pace, and ball striking ability to be formidable in a front three, but have been off the pace for some time. Then there's Bale, who at his best, could be the difference between a title contender and a title pretender. However, he's clearly not been fit, nor playing his best in largely appearances limited to the Europa League. Lamela, when fit, has arguably been the most influential of the players in the aforementioned position, but his continual injuries are a problem, and Mourinho seems to prefer to use him as a bench option. Other unorthodox options for the position are Lo Celso and possibly even Dele playing on the inside right, with Aurier overlapping them. I suppose you could even play Vinicius in place of someone on the right in some matches.
I'm not sure what the best option is and perhaps it depends on the opponent. Bale in matches where we have possession and then one of the more defensive minded forwards for the more difficult away matches is something I've seen posited here. One thing is for sure and that's over the course of a season, you can't rely on two players to score and assist 80% of your goals. For now, you can understand Mourinho persisting with Bergwijn given that he is probably the one who will have a long-term future at the club, but perhaps the upcoming fixture glut will give others a chance to cement a place.