Run between the lines and do what?
Because his goal record isn´t particularly impressive and he doesn´t create much for others.
However bad Wirtz is right now, Szoboslai isn´t really the long term answer either.
I said similar in the match thread about his struggles. He´s not too slow a runner or even weak to do what he wants. He is just reacting very slowly, with no conviction and no zip or zest in his game.
David Silva was slower and weaker but he´s still be schooling teams now, I have no doubt. Odegaard isn´t exactly a physical beast.
Its so fun coming and reading all the bullshit of why Wirtz isn’t a waste of a shirt. It won’t be long before its the grass is too green or the ball is too round.
I didn’t expect anything of the sort to be honest. Just to get a decent, hard-working lad who obviously has talent in spades.
He hasn’t disappointed me so far. I think he delivers exactly what he was promising.
Things will eventually get better for him re goals and assists, but that is the least of my concerns right now, as long as others are there to score goals and make assists.
If that’s what you expected it’s fair enough. But for 116m we need more than someone who is hardworking.
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Years ago I had a conversation with JJ Okocha about his EPL experience.
He said it takes time to mentally adapt to the “frenzy” of the league.
Then- “suddenly it slows down for you, and your technique begins to dominate”.
I have no fears for Wirtz, even if I get frustrated in the moment.
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It’s looked like to me he’s been playing further up than a 10, him and Isak have pretty much been a strike partnership so in my mind people trying to make an argument that Dom should be there instead doesn’t make sense.
If Ekitike was fit I think his place in the team would be under threat, as it is I can’t see him getting dropped any time soon. Not really the time to make any massive judgements on him regardless given we are less than 10 games into a new managers reign and not a lot has clicked for the attacking unit as of yet.
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The big elephant in the room is whether Ekitike can get back to his pre-injury form. Wirtz does need him back in good form, since they are a good duo.
I am afraid that the jury will be out by this winter, if not next summer. I don’t think any of the club’s leadership will tolerate 2 underperforming seasons - that’s what happened with Nunez before him.
Wirtz’s overall ability and attitude are not in question, unlike what happened with Nunez.
The chances of the club looking to offload him in the summer are close to inexistent, unless a ridiculous offer comes in for him.
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