Kulu; he did almost everything right apart from tying his legs up! Strong, resilient and intelligent - seriously what a player we've picked up for almost peanuts.
From memory I think Kulu showed the most promise right from start and he has got better. He comes across very well when interviewed.
He was being asked about Son's Golden Boot achievement and he of course praised him for it. But I sensed he was thinking.....hhmmm let's see what I can do ?
I am less enthusiastic with Bentancur. He has the ability but prior to the Norwich game was outshone by Hojbjerg for a few games. That's an interesting benchmark because most think PEH is limited. Even Kulu gave away the fact that Bentancur always passes instead of scoring himself. Kulu expected that assist even though Bento probably had a right to have a go himself.
I'm not writing Bento off, far from it, but I want to see more and consistently before going all gushy on him.
From memory I think Kulu showed the most promise right from start and he has got better. He comes across very well when interviewed.
He was being asked about Son's Golden Boot achievement and he of course praised him for it. But I sensed he was thinking.....hhmmm let's see what I can do ?
I am less enthusiastic with Bentancur. He has the ability but prior to the Norwich game was outshone by Hojbjerg for a few games. That's an interesting benchmark because most think PEH is limited. Even Kulu gave away the fact that Bentancur always passes instead of scoring himself. Kulu expected that assist even though Bento probably had a right to have a go himself.
I'm not writing Bento off, far from it, but I want to see more and consistently before going all gushy on him.
The interesting thing is that Hojbjerg's performances have gone up a level since he has been playing with Bentancur. I think Bentancur is just one of those "oil in the engine" players that enables the entire system. I also think that pace across the ground is another massive factor. Hojbjerg isn't feeling so exposed knowing that Winks or Skipp have no pace either in those critical moments. That is why Hojbjerg used to get deeper and deeper and ended up alongside the centre halves.
The Skipp / Bentancur partnership is the interesting one. Then of course we've got the 19 year old Matar Sarr turning up for pre-season. He is supposed to have a bit of Bellingham about him.
But imagine a Bentancur and Neves combination.
Skippy and Sarr will hopefully get some minutes next season but are they ready for CL and a top 3 push? I can't see it.
Maybe another loan for Sarr will be the smart move.
I just feel on them Wednesday nights we need more class in the middle of the pitch.
The interesting thing is that Hojbjerg's performances have gone up a level since he has been playing with Bentancur. I think Bentancur is just one of those "oil in the engine" players that enables the entire system. I also think that pace across the ground is another massive factor. Hojbjerg isn't feeling so exposed knowing that Winks or Skipp have no pace either in those critical moments. That is why Hojbjerg used to get deeper and deeper and ended up alongside the centre halves.
The Skipp / Bentancur partnership is the interesting one. Then of course we've got the 19 year old Matar Sarr turning up for pre-season. He is supposed to have a bit of Bellingham about him.
But imagine a Bentancur and Neves combination.
Skippy and Sarr will hopefully get some minutes next season but are they ready for CL and a top 3 push? I can't see it.
Maybe another loan for Sarr will be the smart move.
I just feel on them Wednesday nights we need more class in the middle of the pitch.
Yeah, as you know I'm a Neves fan but I don't think we will go in for him. Neves has 4 goals and 2 assists all season. He's a deep lying tempo setter who perhaps hasn't hit the heights we all thought he would. Doesn't mean he wouldn't in our setup though. A player like Sess would love playing with a passer like that though.