2025/26 Charly Alcaraz

[GoldenToffee]

He ought to have a chance against City with Grealish out. It'll be between him and Dibling, because Dewsbury-Hall is clearly coming back in for the number 10 role. If Alcaraz, then Ndiaye on the right, if Dibling, then Ndiaye on the left.

 

[murphy89]

What don't you rate about him?

I think he loses the ball quite a lot - often in dangerous situations - which isn’t great for us as teams who struggle against transition at times.

I also think he struggles following instructions and generally with the tactical side of the game - which is why Moyes isn’t sold on him.

He thrives in games like yesterday where we are one nil down, chasing the game and it’s all a bit chaotic. It’s also why I think he’s struggles in games when he starts for the team.

He’s clearly got ability and that’s why you can pull together a good highlights reel of him. However, I don’t think he’s someone you have if you progress to being a top side.

Just my opinion.

 

[Vaughan]

Loved seeing Moyes going straight to him, arm round him practically kissing him

Good to see

moyes effectively serena william’s daddingvhim then

 

[Vaughan]

proper performance

great attitude from him when he has been treated poorly by moyes. took off at wolves and made a scapegoat of when he was the best player in the side. 2 year deal. overlooked constantly for that bum doucoure

moyes should be apologising to him

 

[LiamMadrid]

I think he's a great player and that him, Dibbling and Barry need to play for 45 min in each game. Charly has goals in him and is an attacking threat.

 

[Swagger]

He ought to have a chance against City with Grealish out. It'll be between him and Dibling, because Dewsbury-Hall is clearly coming back in for the number 10 role. If Alcaraz, then Ndiaye on the right, if Dibling, then Ndiaye on the left.

That's a mistake as Alcaraz is so much better centrally. Surely play Dewsbury-Hall next to Gueye and Garner right back.

 

[Axlswhk]

The last thing we need is to chuck him at the flanks and destroy his confidence. He is never a winger and never had a good game as a winger.

 

[Vaughan]

That's a mistake as Alcaraz is so much better centrally. Surely play Dewsbury-Hall next to Gueye and Garner right back.

then who plays in the wide positions?

i really want charly to play 10 but with grealish unavailable and dibling not on the level yet i think it’s the only option

 

[Swagger]

then who plays in the wide positions?

i really want charly to play 10 but with grealish unavailable and dibling not on the level yet i think it’s the only option

Fair. I meant generally. I would go Ndaiye left wing, Charlie 10 and chance Dibling right wing as I think he would play much better with Garner at right back.

 

[Smurph]

Great centrally, poor out wide. The exact opposite of Ndiaye.

I think we should give him a go as a false 9. Always looking to progress forward. Need more players we can trust to hold on to the ball and use it well in the final 3rd.

 

[Vaughan]

Fair. I meant generally. I would go Ndaiye left wing, Charlie 10 and chance Dibling right wing as I think he would play much better with Garner at right back.

don’t think city away is the game for dibling. he looks like a deer in headlights the minute

 

[toffeeblue9]

Think as I said yesterday, despite my reservations about him as a player, the difference he made yesterday was huge.

That being said, he's a number 10 and not anything else. At Man City it's a straight choice between him and Dewsbury-Hall and I think you can make a decent argument that Alcaraz should get the nod as he's effective in transitions and in games like the one at Man City where we will see hardly any of the ball, you could argue that his ability to drive us up the pitch would be of greater benefit than Dewsbury-Hall's clearly superior quality on the ball.

Despite a very quiet game yesterday, I'd be inclined to start Dibling in Grealish's absence on the right, with Ndiaye on the left and then take a decision about KDH or Alcaraz. I think you do Alcaraz a disservice by playing him wide, none of his good performances for us have come in a wide position.

EDIT - Although if Keane and Branthwaite are still injured, we might end up with KDH having to play in the two man midfield combo in a 4231 which wouldn't be ideal and Alcaraz would play as the 10 by default

 

[Tel001]

I think he loses the ball quite a lot - often in dangerous situations - which isn’t great for us as teams who struggle against transition at times.

I also think he struggles following instructions and generally with the tactical side of the game - which is why Moyes isn’t sold on him.

He thrives in games like yesterday where we are one nil down, chasing the game and it’s all a bit chaotic. It’s also why I think he’s struggles in games when he starts for the team.

He’s clearly got ability and that’s why you can pull together a good highlights reel of him. However, I don’t think he’s someone you have if you progress to being a top side.

Just my opinion.

He’s 22

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Very early doors this like - but he's just beginning to remind me of a young Tim Cahill.

 

[Lanolin]

I don't really see the shouts for him to play up top personally. If anything I think he'd have the most impact playing further back, as an actual midfielder (although i'm fairly certain Moyes would never start him there), he's at his best driving forward with the ball and with things in front of him, I think playing him up front would negate most of the good things he offers.