Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[parj]

I’d rather play our strongest team against Fulham and try to win it, than treat it as a training match to give players minutes.

Ange won't know who is strongest team is yet. He only 6 or 7 games in. It might be he rotates in 2 different players a game given today he did Sarr and Porro. Porro been poor in pre-season but given a start against man Utd. Shows Ange still willing to see how players do in proper matches.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Thing is if you don’t play them in the 2 games at the beginning of the season it’s gonna piss them off. He’s an Argentinian international. Starter if fit. He needs minutes for both fitness and confidence of staying. I’m guessing Ange has had a word and explained why the minutes are not happening yet?? I mean he might be building up fitness? Ange might want the Maddison confidence of signing and starting etc. I would love to see Maddison and glc together on the pitch. With Sarr of Bissouma. So excited by our midfield options atm.

All so true mate.

 

[Japhet]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

 

[wrd]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

I love this sort of problem

 

[neogenisis]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

Gets even worse when Bents comes back. Maybe he is kept until Bents is fit and gets sold in the Winter window.

 

[$hoguN]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

We are two games into the season which will include the ACN. The system requires us to press hard. There will be tiredness and injuries.

There will be plenty of minutes for most of the players we want to keep

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

I think we need to get past the set starting 11 mentality tbh. Yes there can be star players that rotate less but ultimately if we want to be a successful team the squad needs to be filled with players that can seamlessly rotate in and out. If you look round the top teams they will often do that. Yes this season we will have less games but as soon as we are back in Europe and with injuries it’s just not feasible to be successful with a set starting 11.

It shouldn’t come down to Sarr’s position to loose or Bentancur’s or whoever because long term you’re setting yourself up for a fall. Right now I can understand why Ange is being a little more balanced but in time I’m expecting him to field a much more gung-ho midfield three, ie Madderson and Gio.

And on a side note, it’s been said a lot but I think we need to keep on reminding ourselves, we should have zero expectations on Bentancur this season. He will very likely be a long way off from being the same player he was last season for most of the current campaign. It’s just the nature of his injury. I’m sure he will be picking loads of small muscle strain injuries and will be much less fluid. Im expecting him to be nothing other than a bit part player this season. That doesn’t mean he won’t get back to his best, but we are going to need A LOT of patience with him.

 

[mil1lion]

I would think Deki would play in the Maddison role rather than Gio if Madders had to miss any time

Doubt it. Maddison has been playing more left side which is exactly where Lo Celso has played in pre season. He's a clear alternative for that role.

 

[Japhet]

I think we need to get past the set starting 11 mentality tbh. Yes there can be star players that rotate less but ultimately if we want to be a successful team the squad needs to filled with players that can seamlessly rotate in and out. If you look round the top teams they will often do that. Yes this season we will have less games but as soon as we are back in Europe and with injuries it’s just not feasible to be successful with a set starting 11.

It shouldn’t come down to Sara’s position to loose or Bentancur’s or whoever because long term you’re setting yourself up for a fall. Right now I can understand why Ange is being a little more balanced but in time I’m expecting him to field a much more gung-ho midfield three, ie Madderson and Gio.

And on a side note, it’s been said a lot but I think we need to keep on reminding ourselves, we should have zero expectations on Bentancur this season. He will very likely be a long way off from being the same player he was last season for most of the current campaign. It’s just the map of his injury. I’m sure he will be picking loads of small muscle strain injuries and will be much less fluid. Im expecting him to be nothing other than a bit part player this season. That doesn’t mean he won’t get back to his best, but we are going to need A LOT of patience with him.

Completely agree. I'm just struggling a bit with exorcising the memory of exactly the same failing team being trotted out week after week no matter what. Feel like I have to pinch myself to believe what's happening right now. I'm confident Gio will get minutes and very hopeful that Ange will install a culture of quality players being rotated in and out of the side without the stigma of having been dropped. That would be a huge step in the right direction.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

We are two games into the season which will include the ACN. The system requires us to press hard. There will be tiredness and injuries.

There will be plenty of minutes for most of the players we want to keep

hopefully he has patience with us, as you say he will get plenty of minutes.

 

[Chimbo!]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

There will be injuries and the African Cup of Nations will mean we’ll miss two midfielders. So this competition is great, and we are going to need all them to contribute quite significantly. Last season we fell apart when Bentancur got the ACL. I think we will rarely have all 6 midfielders available.

 

[fridgemagnet]

I can see the way this story goes, we can't get rid of our castoffs on anybody but we'll get bids on PEH and Gio, so Levy will believe he's getting a good price selling Gio (and it'll end up costing twice as much to replace him) but it's an easy deal and we'll move on PEH (which I don't have problem with as he doesn't fit anyway) meanwhile the window will close and we still won't have moved any of the driftwood and we'll be left light in midfield, attack and at CB.

I've seen this movie before, meanwhile Gio will be at Villa and have a breakout PL season, whilst DL pats his head and scratches his hoop wondering why our season falls apart from one or two injuries or an off form striker that can't hit the onion bag!

 

[spursfan77]

If Maddison is struggling with an injury then I cant see him going anywhere until after next weekend. If he does leave of course, which I think could still happen.

 

[spursfan77]

I can see the way this story goes, we can't get rid of our castoffs on anybody but we'll get bids on PEH and Gio, so Levy will believe he's getting a good price selling Gio (and it'll end up costing twice as much to replace him) but it's an easy deal and we'll move on PEH (which I don't have problem with as he doesn't fit anyway) meanwhile the window will close and we still won't have moved any of the driftwood and we'll be left light in midfield, attack and at CB.

I've seen this movie before, meanwhile Gio will be at Villa and have a breakout PL season, whilst DL pats his head and scratches his hoop wondering why our season falls apart from one or two injuries or an off form striker that can't hit the onion bag!

The only bit you've missed out is them winning a trophy this season once they've left!

 

[Trix]

I can see the way this story goes, we can't get rid of our castoffs on anybody but we'll get bids on PEH and Gio, so Levy will believe he's getting a good price selling Gio (and it'll end up costing twice as much to replace him) but it's an easy deal and we'll move on PEH (which I don't have problem with as he doesn't fit anyway) meanwhile the window will close and we still won't have moved any of the driftwood and we'll be left light in midfield, attack and at CB.

I've seen this movie before, meanwhile Gio will be at Villa and have a breakout PL season, whilst DL pats his head and scratches his hoop wondering why our season falls apart from one or two injuries or an off form striker that can't hit the onion bag!

I understand your point but, if they are fringe players and not seen in the long term plans of AP then we should move them on if and when we get a good offer. Of course there are others we want to move out first but when we are talking about a complete squad overhaul we have to take what we can when it's offered. That offer may not come around again, and we'd be left with even more players the manager doesn't really see as being a part of his vision.

 

[kitchen]

Bit of a conundrum now because our midfield is really shaping up well but I also want to see what Gio can do in this system that fits him like a glove. Going to be even more confusing when Bentancur is fit again.

Midfield is certainly not a problem area. The only question is who is the 2nd 6 behind Bissouma? Bentancur could certainly do a job...

With the purchase of Maddison we've got one of the best midfields in the league now.

Get that CB and some attacking options and we're cooking.

 

[fridgemagnet]

I understand your point but, if they are fringe players and not seen in the long term plans of AP then we should move them on if and when we get a good offer. Of course there are others we want to move out first but when we are talking about a complete squad overhaul we have to take what we can when it's offered. That offer may not come around again, and we'd be left with even more players the manager doesn't really see as being a part of his vision.

I was under the impression from Ange's own words that Gio was to be a key player or rather not what I'd call a fringe player at the very least; otherwise I'm in complete agreement with you. Obviously things may have changed since he first made those comments; in which case I'm spouting more nonsense as usual.
Appreciate the reply and completely respect what you're saying though, I take it onboard.

 

[Spawn]

Whilst I appreciate selling players who are not in the managers long term plans to do so at the risk of unbalancing the squad (even more than it is) is foolhardy. Lo Celso can meet a need in this squad which other players can’t

 

[worcestersauce]

Whilst I appreciate selling players who are not in the managers long term plans to do so at the risk of unbalancing the squad (even more than it is) is foolhardy. Lo Celso can meet a need in this squad which other players can’t

What need is that? Not really having a pop I just don't know what it is. Everbody expected him to go but after a bright preseason and pleasant words from Postecoglu it seems people are all for him to stay which is fine by me if that's what all parties want but I'm just not aware of his USP, unless it is cover for Maddison I guess.

 

[robotsonic]

Whilst I appreciate selling players who are not in the managers long term plans to do so at the risk of unbalancing the squad (even more than it is) is foolhardy. Lo Celso can meet a need in this squad which other players can’t

Can he meet that need when he is unmotivated again at not playing week in, week out? Not so sure myself.