04 Jul 2020 22:05:57
Zouma made a massive difference, his presence and the number of aerial duels won made a big difference.

Pulisic was again the best player on the pitch. He is so direct and reminds me of the great Eden Hazard. What a class player we have here. He will be his own player.

Giroud must start over Abraham every day of the week. He still has the quality to lead our line.

Willian has been brilliant recently, class act.

Reece James needs to get upto speed. Glad to see him in the pitch.

Massive 3 points.

1.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 22:20:50
Barkley played really well. He’s really staking a strong claim in that Midfield.

2.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 22:45:00
Thought Reece did okay but agree otherwise. It’s Reece’s first 90 minutes in a while so he should improve next game. He does need to look up more sometimes he’s very lazy and always looks to play backwards despite his quality on the ball.

3.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 22:47:56
Zouma didn’t seem interested in wrestling the attacker like rudiger just concentrated on the ball, done nothing special just went about his job which was what is needed from a CB, christensen worried me early on nearly losing it at the back, l kept sarr really quiet, few times he could run at azpi someone was over quick to help,

4.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 00:03:06
I didn't quite like how we were playing in the 2nd half, I felt our build up play was far too slow and there were far too many passes. For me it's a very risky game when your only winning 2-0 but decide to slow down the game. Had Kepa not made that vital Welbeck save then we would have been in trouble.

This goes onto emphasis why I rate Pulisic very highly, he is always looking to make things happen (rather than recycling the ball around), when he gets the ball the first thing he does is drive at the opposition, not only does this bring fear into opposition but it creates space for our players which leads to a chance.

Agree Matt, Zouma kept it simple. Its just consistency we lack, let's hope we can win the next three games.

As for Reeece James I've followed him a lot since last year at Wigan. I must admit, this is probably the most unfit he has looked for me. Prior to lockdown he was injured and I know it all plays a part. Just want the beast inside him to come out because when his back, his awesome.

{Ed001's Note - I found my notes earlier from the first time I looked at Pulisic when he was just a kid. Even back then all my notes were positive about him, how he was a natural athlete with lightning pace, good touch, close control and kept the ball tight to him when he dribbled. I just wonder if in a few years you will be talking about how it was good to have sold Hazard as it enabled him to get settled into the first team.}

5.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 09:39:21
Just a general thought: I think some time ago Ed02 said that Pulisic’s natural position was on the right wing. He hasn’t really played in that position for us, however, and I was just thinking whether his natural position is in fact the Left wing, if it’s Frank’s choice or whatever?
Regardless, he’s a really good player, and clearly one with a huge future!

{Ed001's Note - I think, from what I have seen, he is comfortable anywhere across the front line.}

6.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 09:58:23
Sure seems that way!
Lately, I have thought about having Alaba behind Pulisic, it would really be a dream. In general, Alaba would be such a good signing with how versatile he is. Probably not realistic, but one can dream. :)

7.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 10:44:03
Any of the Ed’s know if most players from the US and Canada are aiming to play in the premier league at some point? Was just thinking of Alphonso Davies, I wonder if Bayern feel it’s just a matter of time before he wants a move like Pulisic.

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what "most players" want but Germany is popular for them and Work Permit rules in England and Wales make it far more difficult for players to make a move.}

8.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 11:00:53
Thanks Ed1, I always appreciate your views on a player because you are dead fair and I respect them a lot. Great read too. What you seen In Pulisic when he was a kid is what he seems to be showing consistently. I love the fact that like Hazard, he is always trys to make things happen which shows his got a tough mentality being brave. He seems very humble and grounded too.

9.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 11:18:18
Yeah bit of a generic question but I’m happy with the answer. While I have you Ed, when do you think we will see some changes to the endorsement process for work permits from what the FA have it now? I know there was uncertainty about how the recruitment process would look after brexit. Perhaps there may well be as much chance of a young Mexican kid making his debut in the Prem as their is a young Frenchman soon.

{Ed002's Note - Post Brexit the same rules will apply to EU players as do to non EU-players now, but the rules are being adapted to take in to account International ranking and appearances again - the main drivers will be cost and wages. Eventually The FA will push to have more HG players in the senior squad but there remains considerable objection to that from a few PL clubs.}

10.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 12:14:30
Yeah I mean their priorities do seem at direct odds with each other sometimes, The FA concerned with the future Quality of the national team and the premier league clubs wanting to create the best squads they can wherever the players hail from. That said the Prem has been severely unbalanced compared to other leagues (60%+ non English players compared to 49% in Germany) for some time now.
The whole international appearances as a criteria doesn’t seem the part approach, but the exceptions criteria just annoys me “We’re going to pay lots of money for him and we’re going to give him really high wages, so trust us and just give him a work permit”. It’s not the money that annoys me as it isn’t mine and isn't really my concern but the logic of it all is just flawed, the endorsement criteria the FA have on international appearances is of sound logic but it’s like they have inserted this caveat in the exceptions criteria that allows rich clubs to just avoid the rules and so the entire purpose of the Endorsement process which is to almost throttle foreign signings.
*its worth noting that ofcourse Scottish, Welsh and Irish players in the Prem are also considered Non-English.

{Ed002's Note - The exceptions opportunity exist if there is a particular talent that can be obtained cheaply - and it generally works well.}