01 Sep 2026 16:12:25
I think barcola will get the best out of wirtz as he will take a few defenders out with him and give a lot of space to wirtz to work in.
The problem with Gakpo is he almost never reaches the byline to draw and suck defenders and always cuts in on his right and takes up space where wirtz should be.
Barcola will drag defenders out of position and hence it gives wirtz more time and space and i think we will finally see the best of wirtz.
Also i am awfully tempted to try munoz on the right. He is pure fire. Just needs trust of his manager.
Hmm i also want to drop VVD and try araujo and jacquet. Vvd is gone next year. We need to prepare this year for life without him. And VVD has been below par. Wounded and seething and plays a little scared for me to deep and always open.
If not CB araujo has to be at RB.
In fact i don't think AI has played 3 at back but we have right players for 3 at back
Now midfield - can't figure midfield out. I want nyoni to start but i can't figure who among gravy macca szobo to drop.
I think trey and szobo in midfield
Araujo jacquet vvd kerkez
Nyoni szobo
Munoz wirtz barcola
Isak
Looks fine to me.
Actually as long as we font start frimpong we are going to be ok.
01 Sep 2026 16:33:13
JG is due a season with no further injuries. Yeah, I know.
01 Sep 2026 16:50:18
Can't argue with any of that tbh...
I think eventually (fitness permitting) Leoni will take VVD's place... The sooner the better for me.
01 Sep 2026 17:14:12
Munoz looks more dangerous on the right, so has to play there for me. It’s a no-brainer.
01 Sep 2026 17:19:31
Szoboszlai can’t play that role. He needs to be the 10, the RW. He has no awareness and can’t defend (nor should he be expected to, he’s an attacking midfielder). It would be like playing Wirtz there.
01 Sep 2026 18:06:29
But Araujo will be gone next year as well. He also isn’t a patch on Virgil.
01 Sep 2026 18:30:59
Barcola coming has finally put to bed. Wirtz tried as a LW; he now only has 2 options: a false number 9, aka Firmino, with RW/LW alongside him, or competing for a MF/AM role (unless he started as a Left Back earlier on in his career).
Bobbie Wirtz roll on?
01 Sep 2026 19:15:13
I agree with dropping VVD. As good as he has been, he sadly is not the same player anymore, and rightly so at 35 years old, not to mention he'll be gone next year and realistically we won't challenge this year so perhaps a transition year for players to gain experience this year.
We have an option to buy Araujo, so should give him a run to see how well he does to make a proper decision. I'd also like to see a long run of Leoni and Jacquet once Leoni is fit and ready to play so we can see if we have the next partnership at the club already.
As for the wings, I'd switch Gakpo to the right to rotate with Munez and rotate Rio with Barcola on the left, rotate Sboz and Wirtz in the AM position.
Midfield I'd be rotating Macca with Grav and Trey with McConnell and Endo. Whilst Endo might not be a great player, I don't think anyone can doubt his attitude and willingness to give his all so may be a good role model for the 2 young lads, but again not the best player allowing for them to fight for their place.
Ideally I'd also like the club to make a bid for Kelleher to return next summer, better than our backup keepers and dare I say it may now be better than Ali who will leave next summer, plus we know he is a safe pair of hands, although my No.1 choice would have been Suzuki but not many brilliant keepers out there.