His “stunted” development at City has been weird. At Villa, he started wide but always had the freedom to cut inside and create. Pep has turned him into a touch-line winger but he doesn’t have the electricity to take on and beat fullbacks the way other wingers in that system have in recent seasons. I’ve always felt he could thrive if given a central creative role but he’ll never get that City or for England.
His “stunted” development at City has been weird. At Villa, he started wide but always had the freedom to cut inside and create. Pep has turned him into a touch-line winger but he doesn’t have the electricity to take on and beat fullbacks the way other wingers in that system have in recent seasons. I’ve always felt he could thrive if given a central creative role but he’ll never get that City or for England.
It’s intentional at City. He’s utilised for his ball retention rather than his attacking threat.