19 Sep 2026 13:24:10
Gakpo is currently a better player than barcola. I wouldn't be moving gakpo to accommodate barcola in current form.
It's no good making great runs and getting into great positions if you can't finish. BB is known to be a poor finisher. I hope andoni can help him but I mean Nunez never became a great finisher.
19 Sep 2026 14:01:28
We know Gakpo's ceiling, he's hit it, Barcola has grat potential, yes Gakpo's been key for us in these opening few matches but we'll have to fit Barcola in one way or another, we didn't spent £115m just to bench him, he'll have to be afforded the same patience we've given Wirtz and Isak before we can make judgements.
19 Sep 2026 14:16:44
Price doesn't dictate your place in the team we've had some great players on the bench over the years. Alls you can do is be ready and take your chance when it comes Ala koumas.
19 Sep 2026 14:33:43
Gakpo our most in form player. Has to start.
19 Sep 2026 14:57:47
Never said price dictated your place, my point was that he was brought in to be a starter, I never said he should automatically take Gakpos place, I was arguing that we should keep Gakpo all summer whilst most wanted him moved on, I knew he'd be critical whilst Ekitike was out with Isak and Wirtz yet to find consistent form.
I simply said Barcola needs to fit in one way or another, whether its the left or the right doesn't matter to me, . we have 2 senior first team wingers, and 2 wings for them to play on, Iraola has always rotated his wingers, I fail to see an issue tbh.
19 Sep 2026 15:34:20
Barcola will play. Simple as. Whether Gakpo makes it into the 11 alongside him is the question. At the moment he will as he deserves to. Lets see if he can keep it up.
19 Sep 2026 16:39:16
Gakpo has obviously got to play if fit. I'm unbothered whether Barcola plays or not as he's shown nothing yet to be guaranteed a start, he may be a slow burner.
19 Sep 2026 16:49:43
Maybe Iraola will rotate them?
19 Sep 2026 20:05:47
@Ron Funk, Maybe Barcola is a poor finisher, IDK. But last season he had a higher shot and chance conversion rate than Olise and I don't see anybody always talking about him being a "poor finisher"
But Cody is showing up this season so far and fair play to him.
20 Sep 2026 06:53:57
Barcola has not taken Gapkos place Barcola has been on the right!!