Florian Wirtz

[Nineteenx]

No chances created or shots on target bravo

Slot talks about low blocks but keeps approaching them entirely the wrong way

Too many passes not direct enough or varying the play enough, if you play low tempo, taking 5 passes to go from one side to the other the low block will always be very well set

You need cut and thrust and variation, switches long and medium diagonals supporting runs to win second balls AND players with pace flair and trickery like a Diaz, Semenyo, Doku, Saka, Martinelli, MarMoush to break those lines and we had a brilliant one and sold him now Slot sucked us up either his needless changes were not the prospect we were for players in the summer and let one go we shouldn’t have

We desperately needed a player like Senenyo, Prem ready, incredible in the press and attacking the box but FSG aren’t spending to back Slit now either he’s set us back years the fuck wit

[JockStrap]

Great. But this is a thread about Wirtz. Take your wannabe fantasy football manager stuff to one of the threads you currently have running about it.

[Nineteenx]

It is about Wirtz and the issues Slot needs to urgently address through trying to install him as a designated playmaker in a 4231 and our struggling to break down low blocks through selling Diaz and not signing a replacement

[CCTV]

It is about Wirtz and the issues Slot needs to urgently address through trying to install him as a designated playmaker in a 4231 and our struggling to break down low blocks through selling Diaz and not signing a replacement

Martinelli on Bradley looks class compared with Diaz on Jota. Diaz moved on shortly after his antics around Jotas funeral.

[Steveo]

Medusa.

[miller0863]

If anyone thinks Wirtz is pulling up any trees you have a much lower bar than I.

[jozza800]

Thought he played ok in a system that probably doesn't suit him. Not sure who he's supposed to create for when there was no striker.

[ianlfc]

If anyone thinks Wirtz is pulling up any trees you have a much lower bar than I.

He really should've had a penalty after a brilliant run into the box from him, at times he looks like a passenger with the team carrying him but as that run showed ,like all good players they can turn it on in a flash. Just a pity we haven't seen it more.
Players like him could be the difference in us having a really good champions league campaign, in one off matches you need a bit of brilliance and he can provide it.

[miller0863]

One flash on the edge of his own box in the first half and one flash in theirs in the second.

Is that it then? Is that the sum total of creative genius we broke the British transfer record for??

21 games in. Grief …

If he had come through the Academy everyone would be calling for him to be benched, he’s done no more than Harvey Elliott would have done given similar game time.

[ianlfc]

One flash on the edge of his own box in the first half and one flash in theirs in the second.

Is that it then? Is that the sum total of creative genius we broke the British transfer record for??

21 games in. Grief …

If he had come through the Academy everyone would be calling for him to be benched, he’s done no more than Harvey Elliott would have done given similar game time.

Definitely alot like yourself, my auld fellas the same and We're all hoping more from him. As Jozza says last nights formation did suit his strengths as we'd no number 9 for him to find.
Hopefully a strong end to the season from him.

[Red October]

He has shown very little compared with what we'd expect for the fee. However, those little flashes are encouraging. I do think that the way we've been playing generally is a factor. As has been documented, we seem to attack, get to the box and then pass backwards. Wirtz looked better last night when we were looking to go forward and create something. It can't be a coincidence most of the team have looked rubbish as well this season bar a few. Wirtz needs others around him to make runs etc. in order for him to do his best work.

It is frustrating at times when he tries too many little flicks I will admit though.

[teesred]

Definitely alot like yourself, my auld fellas the same and We're all hoping more from him. As Jozza says last nights formation did suit his strengths as we'd no number 9 for him to find.
Hopefully a strong end to the season from him.

Like a few have already said previously we haven't bought him for one season.
The price was/is completely out of his hand and lets be honest he's hardly alone in not having a barnstorming season. Personally I've no worries over him at all, he'll come good eventually and I think it needs saying again that he's just a young kid in a foreign country.
Plenty of players have had indifferent or difficult starts to their prem careers. We've had plenty of our own but Caciedo would be the most obvious recent player in a similar situation with a big hefty price tag. He's now without question one of the best midfielders in the league.
Wirtz just needs that time and patience.

[RedMagic]

I don't think any of our players especially our new players are being helped by Slot and how and when he uses them.

[Steveo]

Like a few have already said previously we haven't bought him for one season.
The price was/is completely out of his hand and lets be honest he's hardly alone in not having a barnstorming season. Personally I've no worries over him at all, he'll come good eventually and I think it needs saying again that he's just a young kid in a foreign country.
Plenty of players have had indifferent or difficult starts to their prem careers. We've had plenty of our own but Caciedo would be the most obvious recent player in a similar situation with a big hefty price tag. He's now without question one of the best midfielders in the league.
Wirtz just needs that time and patience.

This makes a lot of sense. Caicedo is a great point - and he was already used to the prem.. but flip side went to a Chelsea mess.

The truth is simple for me and why it's causing this debate:

1. Wirtz hasn't yet shown what you would expect for a player at that fee - you expect the finished article with consistency..


2. Wirtz looks a very accomplished player for one so young and in a step up league. Comfortable running in tight spaces with great ball control and I think most can see plenty of goals coming from that.. probably not this season, but hopefully for many to come.

[miller0863]

I know I am being particularly harsh on him but the output has been very disappointing thus far