Why McGinn on the left? He didn’t play great there. Move him back to the right. I agree with Philogene for Bailey. But surely it makes more sense to have Philogene on left as he’s right footed so will cut in allowing the attacking left back to overlap? I’d even try Countinho on left for the same effect.
Last season we had good pressing players, Watkins, Buendia, Ramsey and McGinn all pressing. As talented as Diaby and Zaniolo are, I do wonder if our pressing will be affected when they both play, if it is the high line is suicide.
The Football Weekly pod mentioned this briefly, we played and extremely high line and didn’t press. Was asking for trouble.
If we’re going to play that high a line we need to press all over the front when ball is lost. Something we will lose with Buendia out.
Good analysis on the Paul McGrath pod about him. Sounds like a player that will give 100% every time. Might not be as attacking as Moreno, but more defensively sound. Will be good option to have depending on how we set up - All-out attack against weaker opposition then go with Moreno, away against a tough opponents and have to defend deep, then Acuna.
It would hardly be unnecessary if he provided cover when we have two games a week and have to rotate and would also not be unnecessary if he turned out to be better than Carlos or Konsa and overtook either of them in the next couple of years.