Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[kythg]

On Gio, CM's are at an extremely high premium this year, particularly those with his skillset and quality. If we offload Hojbjerg, we should not look to sell him at all. Especially if he is happy and willing to contribute. If he has a good season he can stay and maybe sign a new contract and be great value for us and if not we'll move him on next year for a similar fee to what we would get this year.

We have cash now, and I don't think we are signing many players now who will improve our first 11 but Gio could potentially contribute very well to our rotation 14 or so players.

 

[WiganSpur]

Thing is Porro's still a pretty bad fit for the right wing position too - certainly against a compact back 5. He's got a great cross on him but he's not quick enough or skillful enough to beat his man and would've had similar issues to Kulu with 2 players in front of him that he couldn't get past to influence the game or put balls in.

Solomon is a much better backup to Kulu on the right than Porro is in my book as he's at least got that acceleration and trickery.

In this system, Porro would probably fare better on the left wing than right. Coming inside to cross or shoot, I guess his dribbling isn't terrible either. Maybe it's worth a shot but he just seems like a square peg unfortunately. Could he play CM lol?

 

[Timberwolf]

Surely it’s obvious to people that Skipp and Lo Celso are going to be performing different roles in midfield?

Was pretty clear to me that the reason Gio didn’t come on on Sunday was that Ange wanted Skipp on the pitch for his work rate and defensive qualities. If Gio came on it was always going to be for Maddison.

I can’t see that midfield balance being changed when we play a better team on Saturday night. So people hoping we’ll see Bissouma, GLC, and Maddison at the weekend are setting themselves up for disappointment.

It will be interesting to see who Ange goes for in that position in the coming weeks.

Lo Celso will be itching to get minutes after being denied a move so I wonder if Ange will give him a start as the 'other 8' against one of the weaker sides. Sheffield United at home seems an obvious one, or maybe Burnley or Bournemouth away (although, despite their reputations, those 2 teams will be much more attacking this season).

 

[Tucker]

It will be interesting to see who Ange goes for in that position in the coming weeks.

Lo Celso will be itching to get minutes after being denied a move so I wonder if Ange will give him a start as the 'other 8' against one of the weaker sides. Sheffield United at home seems an obvious one, or maybe Burnley or Bournemouth away (although, despite their reputations, those 2 teams will be much more attacking this season).

Think he’s nailed on to start against Fulham in the cup.

 

[djhotspur]

After Buendia's injury, Villa tried to again to bring in GIO, but their efforts were rebuffed. GIO's potential transfer from Tottenham hinges on a promising offer, as there's a demand for his skills right now from several clubs. Nevertheless, Ange is intent on retaining him.

My feeling is he stays.

WLB

Let’s hope. He really needs to play him though or he’ll want out

 

[WiganSpur]

It will be interesting to see who Ange goes for in that position in the coming weeks.

Lo Celso will be itching to get minutes after being denied a move so I wonder if Ange will give him a start as the 'other 8' against one of the weaker sides. Sheffield United at home seems an obvious one, or maybe Burnley or Bournemouth away (although, despite their reputations, those 2 teams will be much more attacking this season).

GLC is underrated defensively. Hard to see it being a complete car crash playing them both even against top sides. I think the key for us defensively will be the full backs. As soon as Udogie and Royal don't play we'll be in trouble I think and may have to go for more presence in the midfield to compensate.

 

[djhotspur]

GLC is underrated defensively. Hard to see it being a complete car crash playing them both even against top sides. I think the key for us defensively will be the full backs. As soon as Udogie and Royal don't play we'll be in trouble I think and may have to go for more presence in the midfield to compensate.

Yeah he started life as a cdm didn’t he?

 

[Timberwolf]

GLC is underrated defensively. Hard to see it being a complete car crash playing them both even against top sides. I think the key for us defensively will be the full backs. As soon as Udogie and Royal don't play we'll be in trouble I think and may have to go for more presence in the midfield to compensate.

Yeah I agree but there must be a reason why Ange hasn't opted for him so far in the 8 role. Maybe he sees Sarr and Skipp as more tactically diligent at dropping in to cover space and slightly more mobile?

Based on what he can do on the ball Lo Celso walks into the side in that position so I think the reason he's not played there vs Brentford or in pre-season must be related to his off-the-ball work-rate or positioning.

I suggested those games as they seem like the obvious ones to 'test drive' Lo Celso alongside Maddison.

 

[rabbikeane]

We also play a style where the strongest part of defense will be possession.
Wouldn't surprise me if Lo Celso's qualities on the ball keeps us much safer than a running warrior that can bump into players.

 

[SG7]

Thing is Porro's still a pretty bad fit for the right wing position too - certainly against a compact back 5. He's got a great cross on him but he's not quick enough or skillful enough to beat his man and would've had similar issues to Kulu with 2 players in front of him that he couldn't get past to influence the game or put balls in.

Solomon is a much better backup to Kulu on the right than Porro is in my book as he's at least got that acceleration and trickery.

3 goals and 3 assists for us last half-season. Had Kulusevski covered for output.

Solomon is a guy who likes to cut inside, and he's right footed; should be on the left. Porro is a good crosser and even if he's not Osimhen fast he's still much quicker than Kulusevski. Should've at very least been given a chance off the bench against Brentford.

 

[rabbikeane]

Yeah he started life as a cdm didn’t he?

Played there for PSG, but it was also claimed as a reason for why he didn't make it there

 

[Japhet]

Yeah I agree but there must be a reason why Ange hasn't opted for him so far in the 8 role. Maybe he sees Sarr and Skipp as more tactically diligent at dropping in to cover space and slightly more mobile?

Based on what he can do on the ball Lo Celso walks into the side in that position so I think the reason he's not played there vs Brentford or in pre-season must be related to his off-the-ball work-rate or positioning.

I suggested those games as they seem like the obvious ones to 'test drive' Lo Celso alongside Maddison.

I think Skipp was probably a conservative pick from Ange. First ever game and against a notoriously difficult side on their home turf and I reckon he played it a bit safe. As it turned out, we completely dominated and Skipp and Emerson got in each other's way far too much. Early days though and I reckon GLC could well start the next game. There's no defensive weakness to address with bringing him in. Guy loves a tackle.

 

[stormfly]

Didn’t we only have him on loan last season? Why did we make it permanent if he wasn’t going to fit the system?

 

[jolsnogross]

Surely it’s obvious to people that Skipp and Lo Celso are going to be performing different roles in midfield?

Was pretty clear to me that the reason Gio didn’t come on on Sunday was that Ange wanted Skipp on the pitch for his work rate and defensive qualities. If Gio came on it was always going to be for Maddison.

I can’t see that midfield balance being changed when we play a better team on Saturday night. So people hoping we’ll see Bissouma, GLC, and Maddison at the weekend are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I agree, and I want to see a team that competes hard against United rather than roll over. If Lo Celso isn't part of that, that's fine.

But, Skipp and Kulusevski were poor vs Brentford. They can keep a high position, but are constantly cutting back. There was no threat there. It stunted our game and meant everything had to go through maddison. We'll need more. From someone.

 

[rabbikeane]

Didn’t we only have him on loan last season? Why did we make it permanent if he wasn’t going to fit the system?

Porro? It was loan with an obligation to buy (although it was claimed there was an out if both clubs wanted it, but Sporting obviously prefer big money).
Just a way to push the transfer to next financial year, at Sporting's request.

 

[Timberwolf]

I think Skipp was probably a conservative pick from Ange. First ever game and against a notoriously difficult side on their home turf and I reckon he played it a bit safe. As it turned out, we completely dominated and Skipp and Emerson got in each other's way far too much. Early days though and I reckon GLC could well start the next game. There's no defensive weakness to address with bringing him in. Guy loves a tackle.

I hope so. Would like to see GLC in there. I just wonder why he never tried GLC in that role once in pre-season and brought Sarr off the bench for Skipp ahead of him vs Brentford.

Doesn't feel to me like Ange sees Lo Celso in that role just yet and I don't think he'll throw him in vs United if he is considering it.

 

[14/04/91]

Didn’t we only have him on loan last season? Why did we make it permanent if he wasn’t going to fit the system?

Because Levy hasn't got much of a clue about the football-side of things. Hence spunking 40m on a wing-back at a time when anyone with half a brain could tell there was a 90% chance of Conte leaving.
Nice one Daniel (COYS).

Sorry off-topic but a massive bugbear of mine.

Good to hear Ange is keen on keeping GLC but I wonder if a decent bid comes in, we'll sacrifice him in the same way as PEH - we have so many players on the books worth very little, we can ill afford to ignore good money for slightly fringe players.
I do think he could play alongside Maddison; I don't think it was right to start him Sunday but if he keeps working hard in training, he'll get lots of game time.

 

[SuperLuka]

With the links to Eze, could we sell Gio and bring him in to help with the homegrown quota?

 

[Gollorius]

Yeah he started life as a cdm didn’t he?

What?! That’s incredible. I started mine as a baby!

 

[daryl]

What a cock up signing Porro was. A specialist wing back?? It's as though Levy hasn't a fucking clue that the whole approach is likely to change within 6 months, even though its him who gets to decide that its gonna change!

Every spurs fan in the world was screaming for a Rwb last transfer window,