My solution is to add Bogarde into midfield and let Doug (and Onana to an extent) play with more freedom. I think we need to win the midfield battle first so having three in there should help. The fact Brendia, Sancho and Bailey have been so inconsistent just supports the swap in my opinion.
It’s probably not. It might seem like that, but on the flip side how inert are we as an attacking force when we can’t play out from the back. It’s probably no less match defining to lose your attacking shape - that’s not all Mings vs Torres, but it’s a big contributing factor.
5 at the back is the solution.
Quote from: Dante Lavelli on February 23, 2026, 07:30:14 PMMy solution is to add Bogarde into midfield and let Doug (and Onana to an extent) play with more freedom. I think we need to win the midfield battle first so having three in there should help. The fact Brendia, Sancho and Bailey have been so inconsistent just supports the swap in my opinion. This is what I think too.
Onana is playing more conservative with Dougie beside him. He has to. Maybe a Bogarde or Barkley in the six will allow him to be more dominant. Unai does have options and I hope he doesn't persist with Onana and Dougie for much longer.