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I am genuinely worried about how we are going to replace him some day.

He is very integral in the way we play and I just cant see anyone doing what he does.

Is there anyone similar out there?

Is that you Txiki?

Gundogan can do what he does.

I know, I know Gundo isn't a DM I hear you cry, neither was Fernandinho before he signed, he always had a midfielder holding behind him as he played box to box. If he can adapt then so can Gundogan.

He has started the season really well but I thought second half last night he was looking leggy and sloppy, gave ball away in edge of box where stones blocked and the challenge which gave away the pen looked very lazy effort. I do really like him as a player but think we over work him and each season he has this slump. Hopefully Gundo is fit enough now that we can start to rotate him in and out. Guess could always move Delph back in for the odd game and play Danilo at full back. Not seen a lot but heard read good reports on the Brazilian lad on loan at Girona, maybe he is being lined up as a long term replacement.

I had thought Stones would be very good in this position but the way he is playing now trying to move him from centre half just isn't an option.

But who will replace Gundoman when he is on the treatment table?
We need a new long term solution at some point and I hope we sort this better than the fullback situation.

Moonchesteri wrote:But who will replace Gundoman when he is on the treatment table?
We need a new long term solution at some point and I hope we sort this better than the fullback situation.

Without doubt we need a long term replacement, once Yaya is shifted off the books next summer that replacement will be brought in.

Another player that's showing promise, to add to Dub City's suggestion above is Yangel Herrera at NYCFC.

We thought the same about replacing yaya. Truth is playing peps way we need someone with a good first touch and a bit of bite about them. I'm sure there are players out there that can step up to that role

Sometime think he needs a bit of help in there, we rely on him a lot and probably take him for granted to some extent. Having Kevin and Dave together give us a lot of creativity but we do loose a bit defensively and thats where we rely on Fern. Away to Napoli he might need a bit of help in there.
At against most PL opposition we probably will continue to get away with it.

Looking at the current squad, I think Danilo is the best like for like replacement. The few times in games even he's stepped into that role, he's excelled (e.g against Liverpool). I know most games have been dead rubber by then, so I would like to see him tested in the league cup.

weigl?

then we chant this...

By the time fern is ready to be replaced I would expect one of the academy to be ready to step up.
Garcia maybe.

Fabinho of Monaco looks a decent shout for me. Can cover right back as well if needed.

When Mendy is fit again and we have a back up at left back, Delph wouldn't be a bad shout to slot in in front of the centre backs.

Just checked and he's 32 years old! Didn't realise he was so old so yes, I would share OP's concerns. He will be hard to replace, is generally very good / excellent when he plays and we really are very reliant on him. Great signing in hindsight.

Wouldn't be too worried though as I'm sure if none of our lads can fill the void we can buy somebody.

If I were to dip into the market, it would be for Kroos. He is the best possible replacement that would fit perfectly.

Wonderwall wrote:By the time fern is ready to be replaced I would expect one of the academy to be ready to step up.
Garcia maybe.

this.
that Luiz lad at Girona, looks promising too.

also, right now we are experiencing Pep's re-writing of basic axioms of football.
a midfield made of almost all playmakers, looking at KdB growth into the Total Player, along with the spirit of tegetherness applied to the teamplaying there for everyone to see, is not that much an alien concept anymore.

Aaron Mooy

dazby wrote:Aaron Mooy

Not mobile enough.

Wonderwall wrote:If I were to dip into the market, it would be for Kroos. He is the best possible replacement that would fit perfectly.

he is getting old, too.

Is there no one with a cool name like "The Octopus" or similar that we could get?