Bukayo Saka (7)

Nah. Whilst Saka is great as an assist-man, I don’t see anything in his game that suggests he could operate as a CAM at the level required like what Odegaard does for us when he’s at his best.

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It comes from doubts about the physical level - strength of body and ball striking - of both Odegaard and Nwaneri. Saka is superior in both these aspects, which is invaluable to midfield roles. Saka can do the hard work tracking back and long range shots, the dribbling and link up play.

The key is allowing Nwaneri a path to first team.

Of course, Odegaard could have another great season and we’ll be happy to keep him for the foreseeable. But there could be a long term plan if the links to a Madueke type signing are legitimate.

Fair point tbh. Wouldn’t we lose Ode’s ability to play a killer through ball if we had Saka in that spot instead?

That said, I do think that this season is instrumental for Ode; if he can’t cut the mustard again, then I think we’re due a change.

Passing would be an area for development.

Watching us last season, he has lost that killer through ball. We were wank.

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Hopefully nothing serious that led to him having to come off today.

We’re so used to this guy being a top player that we sometimes forget to give him his due respect.

Great performance yesterday :clap: :clap:

Per usual.

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Saka has often had to carry our attack on his own and deserved to be surrounded by other top players, so this season we might see him get more space as opposition defenders will have more to contend with from our attack than just him.

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https://x.com/dennizzer_k/status/1954252286252982334?t=GOHrbTbpMWcxw-Q7C4ODKw&s=19

:pires2:

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Gyok won that ball as well :sol:

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can’t remeber the last time I liked one of our players as much as I like this guy. lead us to glory this season lil chilli :victory_hand:

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Poor today and if Martinelli can get the smoke so can he

He was losing duels for fun, Shaw who’s barely kicked ball in the last year was handling him with ease

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Both wingers non existent. Truly disappointing from both

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Really wasn’t up to much today, has to be better.

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I thought he looked really good in the first half. One of the few who didn’t keep fucking up the basics.
He was certainly poor in the second half.
I’ll give him that despite that he nearly finished the game off if it weren’t for that brilliant block from de Ligt, and then later Noni not converting that sitter.

Worried how much that injury has taken out of him

Hope he’s not cooked already. Turns 24 next month, seems to be a shadow of his former self. Rarely beats his man and doesn’t shoot anymore.

He didn’t really look much different physically, he was just shit

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Nahh, his explosiveness looked fine against Bilbao. Not to mention Real Madrid last season. He hasn’t lost a touch of it.

He was simply bad, as @GC-Maniac said