Fabulous at Anfield on Sunday.
He has everything in his locker that our midfield has been so obviously lacking all season. Pace, power, awareness to recognise when he has space to drop a shoulder and beat the press.
Billy Gilmour's injury is a real shame for him (and I very much hope for his sake that he can get fit and regain full match fitness ahead of Scotland's three group stage defeats at the Euros), but the opportunity that it presents for Baleba's development will see it as a long term blessing, IMO.
Now that RDZ simply HAS to play the lad, we'll hopefully soon see what he is really capable of. Baffling that the Italian 'genius' has been thus far, so unable to get a tune out of him.
More like Biss breaking in tbh. More gradual & frankly error strewn. Caicedo appeared to be the finished article from the minute we recalled himIt does all feel a bit like when Caicedo broke into the side late in the season doesn't it? Baleba looks like he has everything to be our next big star off the production line given the right development, so lets hope he takes the opportunity.
I do feel some of the Gilmour criticism is unwarranted though, for me he has arguably been one of our most consistent performers this season
I disagree on Gilmour. The performance against Marseille at home was as good as MacAllister's best games for us. Don't forget that MacAllister wasn't a regular until the 21-22 season, when he was 23, and he also had the benefit of playing alongside either Bissouma and/or Caicedo throughout his Albion career. Gilmour only turns 23 this summer and hasn't had the advantage of playing alonside similar enforcers.Re Gilmour I'm yet to truly believe he is nothing more than a Scottish Harry Winks. Winks, let's not forget, was at one time a darling of English football and being compared to the Barcelona midfield greats.
Baleba does have a much, much higher ceiling and for my money it'll be him plus A N Other starting in CM next season.
Good point actually, happy to stand corrected there. I remember being similarly concerned at points in Bissouma's first season or two that he wasnt quite good enough, only for him to flourishMore like Biss breaking in tbh. More gradual & frankly error strewn. Caicedo appeared to be the finished article from the minute we recalled him
Absolutely wonderful, but he really needs to improve the last part. He looks untouchable when striding through but then often follows it up with a poor pass or touch. I think that's what frustrates RDZ and has held him back.Absolutely love those marauding runs..nothing better in football than that imho. Unit picking up the ball and just striding through the middle of the pitch.
Gilmour is a fantastic talent. On his game he's a beautiful footballer to watch. And he is young enough to really developIt does all feel a bit like when Caicedo broke into the side late in the season doesn't it? Baleba looks like he has everything to be our next big star off the production line given the right development, so lets hope he takes the opportunity.
I do feel some of the Gilmour criticism is unwarranted though, for me he has arguably been one of our most consistent performers this season
It's almost like he's surprised how far up field he's got and panics. Love it though.Absolutely wonderful, but he really needs to improve the last part. He looks untouchable when striding through but then often follows it up with a poor pass or touch. I think that's what frustrates RDZ and has held him back.
He's got it though, and looks like he's going to be a great part of our future midfield.
Spot on.Gilmour only turns 23 this summer and hasn't had the advantage of playing alonside similar enforcers.
Then our priority has to become finding someone with a creative output close to Gross. Because if you take him out of our midfield you lose almost all of our creativity from CM. Maybe Gilmour can be that man playing a more advanced position.Don't know why people seem to be pitting Baleba against Gilmour.
They have completely different skill sets and frankly they even each other out to a certain extent - Gilmour has better close control and passing, Baleba is faster, more powerful and direct.
Gilmour-Baleba is the midfield combination that looks most promising to me in the short to mid term, if the rumours that Gross will return to Germany are to be believed.
Re Gilmour I'm yet to truly believe he is nothing more than a Scottish Harry Winks. Winks, let's not forget, was at one time a darling of English football and being compared to the Barcelona midfield greats.
Baleba does have a much, much higher ceiling and for my money it'll be him plus A N Other starting in CM next season.