02 Jul 2026 15:10:01
Wish we chucked in for Cherki when he was available for cheap. He would be fun to watch every week from the stands.
02 Jul 2026 16:00:04
Nah, Bekind. Wirtz all day long. And Cherki wasn't even City's first choice. Wirtz was and he rejected them for us and I am still chuffed about that. So essentially, City settled for our leftovers.
And don't fool yourself. If Cherki played under Slot last season, he would have drowned, just like the whole squad did.
Which, then, begs the question for you: Would you have complained that we should have gotten Wirtz, who would have been playing well under Pep (in a system that suited him) had Cherki been drowning under Slot in a system that did not suit him (Cherki)?
02 Jul 2026 16:04:13
Well I suppose there will be no excuses for either player this season.
02 Jul 2026 16:29:20
Cherki has proven his worth, technically the jury's still out on Wirtz. Cherki's creativity and flair looks to be independent of any sort of reliability on how the team is playing, and seems to stem from his own individual 'maverick' style. Wirtz is quite the opposite; he definitely needs to be part of a system that plays to his strengths, with players who are consciously looking to play through him.
I'm not saying one's better than the other because we're yet to see Wirtz at his best, but as of now, Cherki looks to be the better purchase, but we'll reserve judgement until this time next year. I do believe Wirtz is technically capable of becoming one of the best in the league, hopefully Iraola can get him there, only time will tell.
02 Jul 2026 16:42:28
Love a maverick, not many of them around these days.
Most managers train flair out of players for a more disciplined approach.
Ps, I would have had Wirtz and Cherki.
02 Jul 2026 16:54:06
17 Premier League games before Wirtz scored his first LFC PL goal. They may be your standards "OliRed", but will never be the standard required for any past or present LFC team. Below is not much better either:
31 total PL games for Wirtz 5 goals 3 assists. His honeymoon is well and truly over. He needs to deliver from the very first game next season, not as above after circa half the season has gone!
Regarding the playing system, never suited him:
"A Team can pull One Man, One Man can't pull a Team"
Guardiola never won the PL the last two seasons.
One reason is he could not replace Kevin De Bruyne for one of those seasons. The above figures suggest Wirtz would not have improved Man Cheaty either, playing in a more suitable Pep system (your reference).
It will be interesting to see whether Maresca dumps Mr Inten-CITY= Pep Ljinders or he goes with Jurgen as the next possible German National Team Manager?
02 Jul 2026 16:58:09
Yeah, cus Wirtz set the world alight during the World Cup. But, it was all Slot's fault that Wirtz was bang average last season. The jury is still out. As it stands at this moment in time, Cherki looks better value for money.
02 Jul 2026 17:03:53
007. Tell that to Gerrard.
02 Jul 2026 17:26:41
Wirtz did end up with 9 goals and 10 assists compared to Cherki 4 goals and 12 assists. Granted that Wirtz more than likely had more game time.
For me the jury is still out on Wirtz, definitely needs to be more consistent and not go missing in games.
He's talented for sure and I hope that with a more consistent and forward thinking team that Wirtz and everyone else will shine brightly. ?
02 Jul 2026 18:10:39
I still have faith in Wirtz. I think in the Iraola "Chaos", he will find his place as the cool customer/orchestrator.
It's going to be a fun year this year.
Honestly, I've never been calmer about transfers, as I think Iraola is such a good coach. He'll get whoever comes in that door to a top level. As long as the forward players are quick (because I do think we need pace), I think we'll be fine.
That's why when people scoff at a player like the brilliant Savio (formerly the useless Savinho), I think. Hmmm. Guy can dribble. Good pace. Good energy. Good ball control. Needs to work decision making/shooting for sure but young with a point to prove. Iraola can work with that. Go in at 40 mill. Go no higher than 50 mill. Walk away at 50+.
02 Jul 2026 18:48:18
Wirtz is a very talented player. The problem is, does he suit us and this league? Only time will tell. Under a different manager, let's see.
02 Jul 2026 21:18:20
I'm sure that each and every supporter was excited by the arrival of Wirtz last summer, especially after getting him from under the noses of Bayern. Now this season everybody wants him to succeed, especially after the disappointing season he had.
That collective will include Wirtz himself, I will suggest. He has a point to prove and I hope he does it. It'll be fantastic for everyone if so.