We have got our fair share of out of form players. But from the best season I’ve seen us have to where we are now is epitomised by Cheik.
When he first came along he excited us in a different way to anyone we have had for a while. He could turn an interception on the edge of our box in to an attack so easily. So many times he would just steal the ball in his stride and gallop the length of the pitch. Leaving opposition players behind him, drawing so much attention that there was so much room for our players to run in to. This happened every game, he changed games because of his athleticism.
But all of a sudden the runs stopped, he doesn’t look to want the ball, and much like the club he went from looking very very promising to going absolutely nowhere.
Despite how it looks you can’t become clueless overnight, there is a reason & enquired about him. But for the time being he is no use in the midfield, personally I’d rather have Rice playing over him. But right now we are desperate so I’d play him, probably start him, not in the midfield though. I’d have him at centre back or even right wing back if Moyes insists on the 3 at the back system. This could free up Zabaletta to play in the middle where he had a brilliant game earlier in the season.
Using him this way is a much better use of his abilities at the moment as what was for me the main feature of his game is missing so he is taking up a spot better used by someone else right now. Then in the summer we need to figure out what’s wrong and correct it or cut our losses and replace him.
What do you think? Persist with him, change his role, or drop him?
By Jack