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Reece James

Had the same conversation with my other half last night. We can't repeat that season after season. I do think we have better options to pick up the slack, and in some cases even start, within the squad now (Santos for sure, Tosin seems very settled, emergence of Josh, and Essugo will get his chance).

Its also what frustrates me with Enzo - he gets so much stick, despite a very good season. The minutes he plays is massive for us - ever present and dependable, a great quality.
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KDH is always available too, and he'd probably get more goals and assists than Enzo if he had Enzo's minutes
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Parking my opinion of Enzo LOL, availability surely has to be a pre-requisite for a professional sportsman ? I'd imagine we regret signing Lavia and Fofana, and giving Reece such a huge pay increase. It will be interesting to see how we handle all three of our sicknotes moving forwards ... patience must surely be wearing thin ?

 
Our most accomplished youth product from the best generation of the Academy.

Somewhere Roman is shedding a tear hearing this news

 
I've criticized him being the captain in the past. No criticisms over that anymore. Certainly proved me wrong. The squad age structure is about as perfect as it can be for him to be the captain as well. Long may it continue.

 
Expectational performance in a different role than I expected.

He played more as a lone DM with Caicedo pressing higher up, dropping back into defence at times as well to make like a back 5 when PSG had the ball. This seems to have freed up Gusto and Cucu to play more as traditional overlapping full backs.

 
Leader on the pitch, and he had a great smile on his face just before he walked up ro receive his medal and pur new trinket.

 
Can't believe i'm reading people being okay with him leaving. Reece leaving at 24 years of age would be a travesty. 

The only player we have, other than Cole Palmer, that is genuinely world class. Top 2 in his position in the world. Even if it took another 6 months to rehab him properly we should be doing it without a second thought. 
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Expectational performance in a different role than I expected.

He played more as a lone DM with Caicedo pressing higher up, dropping back into defence at times as well to make like a back 5 when PSG had the ball. This seems to have freed up Gusto and Cucu to play more as traditional overlapping full backs.
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I wouldn't say it was exceptional. In fact, probably the weakest contributor on the pitch (relatively speaking). Swap him and Lavia then we're even better, although that gap is reduced when we're playing a better team. I had a quick look after the game but IIRC he played little to no progressive passes.

Cucurella never played as an overlapping fullback but Gusto is the profile you want when you are playing Palmer on the right.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a bit worried for him long-term if he can't overlap as a fullback. You get the best out of Palmer and Gusto if they play in those roles vs PSG. Enzo may see James as a bit of a project though, and persist.

 
I wouldn't say it was exceptional. In fact, probably the weakest contributor on the pitch (relatively speaking). Swap him and Lavia then we're even better, although that gap is reduced when we're playing a better team. I had a quick look after the game but IIRC he played little to no progressive passes.

Cucurella never played as an overlapping fullback but Gusto is the profile you want when you are playing Palmer on the right.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a bit worried for him long-term if he can't overlap as a fullback. You get the best out of Palmer and Gusto if they play in those roles vs PSG. Enzo may see James as a bit of a project though, and persist.
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James was brilliant in his role covering for Gusto when he bombed on and even dropping into the backline when needed. He certainly contributed more to the team than E.Fernandez did against PSG. In the 3 man midfield that started the game he had the most touches and most passes, most clearances and interceptions and wasn't dribbled past once.

 
James was brilliant in his role covering for Gusto when he bombed on and even dropping into the backline when needed. He certainly contributed more to the team than E.Fernandez did against PSG. In the 3 man midfield that started the game he had the most touches and most passes, most clearances and interceptions and wasn't dribbled past once.
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I can only assume he didnt actually watch the final with that opinion, James was outstanding in that position, anchored the midfield to allow Enzo to chase down, Caicedo to go after the ball also. Dropped in behind Gusto when he went forward, dropped in to CB to cover Chalobah going out etc. He was absolutely pivotal to shutting down their midfield.

 
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I can only assume he didnt actually watch the final with that opinion, James was outstanding in that position, anchored the midfield to allow Enzo to chase down, Caicedo to go after the ball also. Dropped in behind Gusto when he went forward, dropped in to CB to cover Chalobah going out etc. He was absolutely pivotal to shutting down their midfield.
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To say he was the weakest contributor on the pitch is insane.

 
I wouldn't say it was exceptional. In fact, probably the weakest contributor on the pitch (relatively speaking). Swap him and Lavia then we're even better, although that gap is reduced when we're playing a better team. I had a quick look after the game but IIRC he played little to no progressive passes.

Cucurella never played as an overlapping fullback but Gusto is the profile you want when you are playing Palmer on the right.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a bit worried for him long-term if he can't overlap as a fullback. You get the best out of Palmer and Gusto if they play in those roles vs PSG. Enzo may see James as a bit of a project though, and persist.
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Sorry, I completely disagree. Without him doing what he did, something new to him by the way, our midfield and fullbacks Gusto especially would have been exposed greatly.

Cucu overlapped often, it's why Neto had to work so hard to track back. Not as much as Gusto did mind you though.

 
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