Douglas Luiz - Confirmed confirmed

[Drummond]

We have been crying out for a dominating central midfielder all season.
Is it just a turnaround in form, fitness or has Smith finally worked out how to play him?

Maybe the 1:1 that Smith did with them all in lockdown has worked for him.

[London Villan]

Our midfield looked functional last night. It was more balanced and moved the ball nicely. Pity about the defence and attack.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I think Douglas has been easily our best player since the restart

[Meanwood Villa]

Yes a real improvement. He's looked good and I think he will be outstanding in the Championship if he plays for us there.

[manic-road]

I think Douglas has been easily our best player since the restart

Agree, I think he has been our best player in pretty much every game since the restart. Hope we can keep him for next season.

[Ad@m]

The cynic in me says he's playing for a move. We paid what, £15m for him?

A mid-table Prem team will easily pay that.

[mattjpa]

The cynic in me says he's playing for a move. We paid what, £15m for him?

A mid-table Prem team will easily pay that.

Read today Pep wants him back and will activate buy back clause. I wouldnt be surprised if this was the plan all along

[PeterWithe]

He’s been our best player in each of the matches back, I’m afraid I can’t see any way he won’t be staying in the PL.

[Rudy65]

The cynic in me says he's playing for a move. We paid what, £15m for him?

A mid-table Prem team will easily pay that.

Read today Pep wants him back and will activate buy back clause. I wouldnt be surprised if this was the plan all along

Inevitable I guess. He might not fancy the champs either so better to cash in now if we can. Assuming we get relegated of course

[Meanwood Villa]

He might have been good but he's not going to get in Citeh's team. If we stay up I can see him staying another year. Not sure if we go down but fingers crossed.

[cdbearsfan]

The cynic in me says he's playing for a move. We paid what, £15m for him?

A mid-table Prem team will easily pay that.

And then, presumably, they can pay the other £10 million to match his release clause.

[cdbearsfan]

He might have been good but he's not going to get in Citeh's team. If we stay up I can see him staying another year. Not sure if we go down but fingers crossed.

They have two years to decide. The only thing that might work against us is if the Premier League/UEFA decide to make this year not count for FFP because of Covid, in which case they might want him back in the next transfer window as his fee wouldn't count against them.

[themossman]

I wish we had more players playing for a move.

[mattjpa]

He might have been good but he's not going to get in Citeh's team. If we stay up I can see him staying another year. Not sure if we go down but fingers crossed.

They have two years to decide. The only thing that might work against us is if the Premier League/UEFA decide to make this year not count for FFP because of Covid, in which case they might want him back in the next transfer window as his fee wouldn't count against them.

Dont forget that the powers that be have just chugged off the super clubs and given them the opportunity to replace their entire midfield every game with the new 5 subs rule. Next year, City 2-1 up against Sheff U on 65m with an important Champs League game coming up midweek. Pep subs on Foden, Gundogen and Luiz (all three of whom would start for 3/4 of the league teams) to wrap the game up. Any players good enough for the top 6 squads who would have otherwise probably preferred a mid table team for game time will know this. The trap door is slowly being pulled up.

[cdbearsfan]

Yeah, probably right.