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Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

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Ghost Hardware

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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Obviously we all know Maddison has been one of our best players this season and I don’t think anyone is trying to suggest Gio is better than him or in general over hype him. But likewise I also think some are overly critical or even biased against him based on the past rather than his performances of the present.

I, and many others, have pointed out that Gio has never suited a defensive/counter system yet his time at the club under the likes of Conte and Nuno has somewhat tainted his ability for some. There also seems to be a truly ridiculous narrative regarding him only being fit for Argentina even tho he missed the world cup through injury. It’s the same thing that some accused Romero of last season yet now have all but forgotten.

I think there is little doubt he was completely disillusioned under Conte. But in this regard he is hardly alone. Many of our squad have quite publicly stated there was a clash of ideals between player and manager since his sacking. I’m sure he was sulking at that point but I’m also sure he wasn’t alone. Romero has pretty much said he would have left if Conte had stayed and I’m sure he wasn’t alone in that thinking.

Since Ange has come in every report regarding the effort he puts in, his attitude in training and even how he carries himself on and off the pitch during matches shows a man who is 100% committed to the new ethos and ideology of the club. A few months ago he was the cover star of the official programme for a reason. Read and listen to his interviews, he believes in the direction the club is moving. For a man seemingly so reserved he has been more outgoing of late. Even to the point there was a post match tunnel cam of one of our last minute wins and he was coming up to the lens shouting whilst walking down the tunnel. A win he didn’t even get minutes in. He has hardly shown indifference.

For me there is no question about his ability, in this system or in the PL. This season he has put in some consistently very good performances. Bar maybe one half of football in a cup game he has been nothing short of good and has often been very good indeed.

Personally I think he is an incredibly talented player who is tailor made for Ange and can very much perform in the PL. I have followed him since he first moved to PSG and I was very happy when we got him. I remember talking about him on this forum at the time. Unfortunately he is a player who is susceptible to injuries and that is the most likely reason he will probably be moved on this summer. Even if I understand it however I still find It a great shame. Considering the lack of minutes he gets at this point I think it’s pretty much nailed on but even so I’d personally still keep him.

As a sub point… Per 90 here are the average stats for both Gio and Maddison. We all know how important Maddison is to us, the numbers he’s put and obviously one has probably played twice as many minutes as the other. Also the stat site is a little rudimentary but I still think it’s good for getting a basic idea. I’m not trying to suggest Gio I’d better than him but I do think he better then some give him credit for.

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mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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I'll be shocked if Maddison doesn't start Saturday. He has to step up though. I would like to see more of GLC at least even if it's a 20min cameo. He has the skillset to be a good impact sub. Much rather him come on than say Skipp.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,244
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He's a very good player and would be a great squad/rotation option. Dem injuries though. They've been constant.
 

tevezito

In the cup for Tottingham
Jun 8, 2004
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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?
Your point is pretty pointless then. Some of us will care, some of us won't. But it's irrelevant. It only matters whether the person who picks the team cares or not, hence my previous post.
 

Ghost Hardware

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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Every time I see him play these days it just makes me think how crazy we would be to sell him. The football intellect, the technical ability and now that he believes in the manager/project you can see his commitment every game. Not only that in this system he is actually putting up the numbers. Today he really should have had another assist.

Obviously the issue is injuries and unfortunately it is an issue that will likely plague him for the rest of his career. But as a player you can’t really get better as a squad option in that he is good enough to be a starter at most clubs.

Ether way, hope to see him get more minutes between now and the end of the season even if he goes in summer.
 

BorjeSpurs

Well-Known Member
Jun 29, 2007
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Think we would keep him in the summer if it wasn't for the fact that he has 1 year left.

The contract situation will make the decision for us, IMO.
 

Flobadob

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2014
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Every time I see him play these days it just makes me think how crazy we would be to sell him. The football intellect, the technical ability and now that he believes in the manager/project you can see his commitment every game. Not only that in this system he is actually putting up the numbers. Today he really should have had another assist.

Obviously the issue is injuries and unfortunately it is an issue that will likely plague him for the rest of his career. But as a player you can’t really get better as a squad option in that he is good enough to be a starter at most clubs.

Ether way, hope to see him get more minutes between now and the end of the season even if he goes in summer.
Everything you said I agree with but on top of that I always feel like he adds a real extra level of control and composure to the midfield. It feels like the more often he is on the ball the less you worry about us losing a grip on the midfield, it’s quite a unique ability and I definitely don’t think it should be underestimated.
 

Ghost Hardware

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
18,328
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Everything you said I agree with but on top of that I always feel like he adds a real extra level of control and composure to the midfield. It feels like the more often he is on the ball the less you worry about us losing a grip on the midfield, it’s quite a unique ability and I definitely don’t think it should be underestimated.
Oh I agree with you completely. When he got 100% pass completion against City I said exactly the same. He’s a safe pair of hands in possession and considering the aggressive nature of our tactics that is something invaluable. I just didn’t want to write another post waxing too lyrical about him as I’ve written quite a few over the years so tried to keep it short. 😂
 

easley91

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
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He's always had the ability just either not been available or not given a good run of games. Hopefully he starts v West Ham.
 

djhotspur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2021
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Oh I agree with you completely. When he got 100% pass completion against City I said exactly the same. He’s a safe pair of hands in possession and considering the aggressive nature of our tactics that is something invaluable. I just didn’t want to write another post waxing too lyrical about him as I’ve written quite a few over the years so tried to keep it short. 😂
Agreed. He just always picks the right option and makes the pass.
 

DiamondLites

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
4,647
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I can’t see him signing a new deal in all honesty, so I think the decision gets made for us. Although I like him as a player, long term it could be a good thing - move Deki into that hybrid 10/8 position and get wingers that really suit Ange’s set up. We do have a log jam of 8s in the squad
 

Danny1

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2006
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Fact of the matter is there is ann obvious reason why he starts pretty much every game for Argentina when fit. A very very good player.
 
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muppetman

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
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I thought he was excellent today, so frustrating that he is so injury prone as the talent is clearly there.
 

fishhhandaricecake

Well-Known Member
Nov 15, 2018
19,254
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I think he’s better as an 8&10 than Kulu and if given a run of games can for sure be as good as if not better than Maddison, question is will Ange give him enough game time and will Gio be willing to stay as a back-up squad player or will be try to angle for a move back to Spain.

In the time Maddison was our Gio barely had a game where he wasn’t at least 7/10, he made us tick really nicely and he shows his class for Argentina week in week out.

Just needs to stay fit and be given more chances imo.
 

parj

NDombelly ate all the pies
Jul 27, 2003
3,625
5,955
I’m sure would could get him to sign a 3 year extension
He would be an idiot to sign any extension. He has such a small timespan for a career and will never be considered a starter for us, although I think he should be.

He needs to go and needs to be playing. Too good to be getting 20-30 mins on a good day, 10-15 mins typically.
 
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