What's our best line up?

[justincredible]

Wirtz isn't going to be dropped. He'll get upto speed in the next couple of games. He's already showing flashes of his brilliance. Dunno why so many are panicking...

[justincredible]

Wirtz v Arsenal..

https://youtu.be/9Dih7cDEyqU?si=KJLQoJEmwRYaZTdP

[RedMagic]

The problem with Wirtz not quite yet being up to speed is not only that he's not offering enough of anything that is needed in the area of the pitch he's currently occupying, but that he's also taking the place of another player who could and probably would currently make us a more solid and cohesive unit, especially when it comes to controlling a game and giving our defence a bit more protection than they've been getting in a fair few of our recent games.

[shminkyred]

Can't see us spending £100m on Wirtz for him not to be in the side.


I think it will be pretty much as we've already lined up with Isak in for Ekitike and Frimpong in for Szobo.

You cannot drop Eketeeeeeekaaaayyyyy😍

That would surley cause resentment in the squad straight away?

[justincredible]

Great article from Paul Tomkins on our transfers, that contains this paragraph on Wirtz:....

"Florian Wirtz is showing his genius, covering a lot of ground and sprinkling little dabs of beauty, but also is getting his Premier League Lungs, and learning how long you get on the ball before some 6’3” goon scythes you down – 0.0003 seconds. He will need a fair bit of resting, to last the season, as he also gains his Premier League Legs."

[CCTV]

It's a good question

1) On paper

.....................Alisson
Frimpong Konate VVD Kerkez
..................Grav MacA
..............Salah Wirtz Gakpo
.......................Isak

Which is harsh on Sobozla, and Ekitike.

2) The tactical tweak and a big game tomorrow...... a 442/4411 shape

.....................Alisson
Frimpong Konate VVD Robbo
..................Grav MacA
......Sobozla....................Gakpo
..............Salah ...Isak

Relying more on the tried and tested, giving license for Salah & Isak up front.

3) The interesting best 11, based on whoscored ratings... no Isak obviously

.....................Alisson
Frimpong Grav VVD Kerkez
..................Sobozla MacA
..............Salah Wirtz Gakpo
.......................Ekitike

No Konate at CB, he's 12th, so Grav to CB & Sobozla in the pivot.
I'd really like to see, Sobozla in the double pivot role. Would be a bit more of a challenge for him than right back imo

[jozza800]

What's great is that there isn't yet an obvious XI. There are so many permutations that it could make it difficult for opposition to figure out. It also makes it difficult for Slot to pick a side

[justincredible]

What's great is that there isn't yet an obvious XI. There are so many permutations that it could make it difficult for opposition to figure out. It also makes it difficult for Slot to pick a side

Yep, absolutely this. It's great...

[Steveo]

What's great is that there isn't yet an obvious XI. There are so many permutations that it could make it difficult for opposition to figure out. It also makes it difficult for Slot to pick a side

This is the point. One that could make a huge difference in a season where it’s (statistically) doubtful we manage to avoid any major long term injuries and all major rivals drop both bollocks again.

[Insidious]

What's great is that there isn't yet an obvious XI. There are so many permutations that it could make it difficult for opposition to figure out. It also makes it difficult for Slot to pick a side

Absolutely!

Not to mention that we haven't seen our best XI yet, given the foetal stages of the careers of some of the younger players, Isak not having started yet for obvious reasons and experiments Slot may yet make in terms of set-ups.

I still hope we deploy a Salah-less diamond with Ekitike and Isak as one of these, which would allow Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Wirtz to all be on the pitch simultaneously while Szoboszlai's capacity can cover can do for Frimpong what Hendo used to do for Trent.