By including those two I gave a nod to the next couple that are in line to take the mantle IMO
I love both players, they’re pure hoopers
2 Likes
It’s a bit outrageous how he’s hit the ground running like this.
It’s like he’s been playing for us for a while. Already showing such great chemistry, with so many players.
Honestly as someone that’s seen him a lot over the years, and seen what I thought was his best at Sociedad, I think he’s even gone up a gear since the summer.
Looked great for Spain in the Nations League too.
2 Likes
Zubi was outstanding tonight! 
4 Likes
He was one of our best players and looks like he’s been with us for his whole career rather than being a new signing.
2 Likes
Thought he was really good tonight, noticed he’s trying to add that Partey over the top to Saka ball into the mix.
When we hog possession he’s a great asset and this season we seem to be much more ball heavy than the last couple.
4 Likes
The shoes of Thomas Partey are HUGE and very difficult to fill. I’ve stopped comparing and decided to appreciate that they are different players.
I have genuinely not given Partey a second thought and keep forgetting about him until people mention him.
He’s not missed
12 Likes
Yea i think rather than worrying about him being replaced this is the main point. I don’t think Thomas Partey makes us a better team right now. Which, crucially, is not the same thing as saying Zubimendi is better than him.
6 Likes
This is looking like a good buy at a bargain price more and more with every game. Class player. Great offensively and defensively.
3 Likes
The shoes are not huge or difficult to fill.
Zubimendi has replaced Partey.
Zubimendi is a better player than Partey.
We are a better team with Zubimendi than we were with Partey.
As @Calum says…Partey is not missed.
4 Likes
Rice this, Caicedo that, this is the real star of the show.
No wonder de la Fuente is finding it difficult to reintroduce Rodri into the team.
2 Likes
Yes, but Zubi AND Rice is priceless!
Unless you’re @SRCJJ or @Starboy of course…in which case we spent £200m on a bang average midfield when we should have bought…
1 Like
Top top player. What a pairing we have in him and Rice 
1 Like
That’s pretty bad actually. The drop-off from Zubi to Norgaard is huge. Rice is much better there.
But then who play left 8 in place of Rice if Merino needs to fill in for Gyokeres up top?
Could be an opportunity to use MLS in midfield?
1 Like
Has Mikel upped the training intensity a notch or too? Just too many little niggles being picked up.
We have to hope its not bad. If he has to miss a game, I hope its only the Sunderland game. International break is after Sunderland but it becomes a big problem if he is out for a month or something…