Emi Buendia

[Dave]

56% pass completion yesterday, which is pretty dismal all things considered.

It’s never a great look for a No.10 to have no shots, create no chances and complete no dribbles in a game. That was Buendia’s lowest pass completion rate (56.3%) in a Premier League match since June 2020, when he made just 47.8% of his passes for Norwich in a 3-0 defeat to Southampton, and his highest amount of miscontrols (four) in one game since December 2021.

Beyond all that was the cardinal sin of often walking around after losing the ball instead of running tirelessly to win it back. Unai Emery will surely welcome the chance to use more of the options in this squad when they are fit and available. Philippe Coutinho might as well have a fair crack of the whip if, at the very least, it reenergises Buendia.

[eamonn]

He still assisted at Brentford last week. Not everyone would have the composure in that position when the ball is pinging around the box. He gently tees it up for Dougie to score.

And yesterday even though he was shit, he still nutmegged at Yanited player to assist Watkins for a tap-in only for Oliver to slip on the wet Mould Trafford slime.
Point is, he's got touch and vision that very few in our squad possess. I'd fine him a day's wages every time he does his toddler temper-tantrum thing and I'd have someone in direct competition for him - either Coutinho if he's not semi-retired already or else someone new; and keep him on his toes.

[Drummond]

He's a passionate player and I very much doubt that part of his game will go. I don't like it either but perhaps it's what gives him that fire.

[Risso]

He's a passionate player and I very much doubt that part of his game will go. I don't like it either but perhaps it's what gives him that fire.

I don't think he channels it well though and when things start to go wrong for him he loses his composure.

[tomd2103]

He still assisted at Brentford last week. Not everyone would have the composure in that position when the ball is pinging around the box. He gently tees it up for Dougie to score.

And yesterday even though he was shit, he still nutmegged at Yanited player to assist Watkins for a tap-in only for Oliver to slip on the wet Mould Trafford slime.
Point is, he's got touch and vision that very few in our squad possess. I'd fine him a day's wages every time he does his toddler temper-tantrum thing and I'd have someone in direct competition for him - either Coutinho if he's not semi-retired already or else someone new; and keep him on his toes.

He does have that bit of magic that unlocks defences, but he just gets found out against top class opposition.  He just isn't strong or quick enough and gives the ball away too often when he mixes in those circles.

I still like him though and he would be a useful back-up if we can bring in a real top quality player in that position.

[Ian.]

He’s been excellent this season but it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s an area we are looking to upgrade.  It’s just been a real shame we haven’t been able to try Coutinho to freshen things up. Likewise with Cash in for Young.

[Risso]

He's been shite for weeks now. I look forward to him either not being here next season, or at best being an occasional sub.

[Bobby Boy]

He's been shite for weeks now. I look forward to him either not being here next season, or at best being an occasional sub.

He flatters to deceive on a regular basis. An upgrade in the summer most definitely required.

[villadelph]

He's had some great moments this season and he plays week in week out, un/fortunately I think an upgrade at 10 is inevitable this summer.

[Risso]

He's had some great moments this season and he plays week in week out, un/fortunately I think an upgrade at 10 is inevitable this summer.

He's played 2,359 minutes of football this season. Bruno Fernandes has played 5,128.

[SoccerHQ]

Just not productive enough for where we want to go.

He's been much better this season but it's still just 5 league goals from 20 odd starts and too much dallying on the ball when in final third.

Not advocating we sign him but James Maddison has 9 league goals this season so that's sort of figures you want from a number 10 type with a few weeks left of the season remaining.

Did someone really say on here a few weeks back they wouldn't swop him for anyone else in the league?!

[ChicagoLion]

Just not productive enough for where we want to go.

He's been much better this season but it's still just 5 league goals from 20 odd starts and too much dallying on the ball when in final third.

Not advocating we sign him but James Maddison has 9 league goals this season so that's sort of figures you want from a number 10 type with a few weeks left of the season remaining.

Did someone really say on here a few weeks back they wouldn't swop him for anyone else in the league?!

I think they did and I said I would swap him for Maddison.

[Taylor]

He's been shite for weeks now. I look forward to him either not being here next season, or at best being an occasional sub.

I seem to remember you looking forward to us replacing Watkins too. Players have periods of poor form. Buendia will come good again.

[LeonW]

If we are serious about progressing, he’ll be a bench option in the future.

[Risso]

He's been shite for weeks now. I look forward to him either not being here next season, or at best being an occasional sub.

I seem to remember you looking forward to us replacing Watkins too. Players have periods of poor form. Buendia will come good again.

Buendia hasn't been consistently good since he's been here, so not sure where the word 'again' belongs there to be honest. And anyway, that's such a facile argument to make. If every player was going to come good because Watkins happened to improve for a spell we'd have a team of world beaters, instead of still having to watch the likes of Bailey do the square root of bugger all for the umpteenth time in two years.