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Sandro Tonali Official

Starting to look sharper week-by-week…

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I thought he had a good game. The issues we had this match I don't think came from the midfield partnership, it's the lack of a real 10 or the counter point to what Bentancur and Tonali offered. There wasn't a balance in play styles and attributes.
 
I thought he had a good game. The issues we had this match I don't think came from the midfield partnership, it's the lack of a real 10 or the counter point to what Bentancur and Tonali offered. There wasn't a balance in play styles and attributes.
On paper Tonali and Fernandes compliment each other perfectly and are the counter balance, I think a lot of people are completely underestimating the defensive contributions Fernandes will make while his passing range is a huge step up over Bantancur.



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He was being loosely linked with PSG at the end of last season and it was for his defensive contributions, £85m for Fernandes to play as the #10 is a waste of money, £85m for Fernandes as the #6 will be looked at as a steal in 2 years time.

 
I thought he had a good game. The issues we had this match I don't think came from the midfield partnership, it's the lack of a real 10 or the counter point to what Bentancur and Tonali offered. There wasn't a balance in play styles and attributes.
What we don't know at this stage, is whether losing what Gallagher DID give us (stats above), would lead to more defending for us or possession/pressure from the opposition?

I don't think this is RDZ being cautious, mostly just personnel available.
 
What we don't know at this stage, is whether losing what Gallagher DID give us (stats above), would lead to more defending for us or possession/pressure from the opposition?

I don't think this is RDZ being cautious, mostly just personnel available.
Yeah I agree I don't think he did it to be cautious. We simply don't have an available player for the role currently and he's picking between options to see who can cover it best for now.

Some think it should be Marmoush although I disagree as he's more a SS than a 10 and so I don't think he solves the structure issues not having a real 10 poses in this system. Some think maybe Kudus can be it, some might even Bergvall and obviously we've seen Gallagher and Fernandes tried there. For now it just feels like a square peg in a round hole until one of Kulu or Maddison is available.
 
Yeah I agree I don't think he did it to be cautious. We simply don't have an available player for the role currently and he's picking between options to see who can cover it best for now.

Some think it should be Marmoush although I disagree as he's more a SS than a 10 and so I don't think he solves the structure issues not having a real 10 poses in this system. Some think maybe Kudus can be it, some might even Bergvall and obviously we've seen Gallagher and Fernandes tried there. For now it just feels like a square peg in a round hole until one of Kulu or Maddison is available.

I think the idea many went with on Marmoush was having him as the SS at the expense of a 10 because he still does alot of work deeper whilst also not being a 9 to occupy the box or defenders enough.

For Tonali we clearly have a very very fine player here
 
The problem is Gallagher was playing as the 10 so for his good off the ball actions there weren't many quality on the ball moments and what we need from an 10 are good on the ball actions.
perhaps but its an extra man in midfield and more space up front for tonali to then play his line breaking passes or runs forwards - which he did sparingly. lots of safe running passing backwards. of course, early days and he's got to get used to marmoush habits
 
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