2025/26 Charly Alcaraz

[Joey66]

He did not deserve to be subbed far worse players out there - Nice but Dim Tim eg .....

 

[SuperKev91]

I mean again it’s not something that has really stopped him from being good at the main job of his position

I’d disagree but hopefully it’s something he can improve on.

Having such poor ability to retain possession when you frequently want to dribble isn’t ideal let’s be honest. He’s positive and never hides though and I’d prefer he took risks like he does.

It’s concerning how he hasn’t sped up his thought process in tight spaces though, he simply hasn’t got the time he thinks he has.

Gomes was very similar post injury, acted like he had far more time than he did when under pressure.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I’d disagree but hopefully it’s something he can improve on.

Having such poor ability to retain possession when you frequently want to dribble isn’t ideal let’s be honest. He’s positive and never hides though and I’d prefer he took risks like he does.

It’s concerning how he hasn’t sped up his thought process in tight spaces though, he simply hasn’t got the time he thinks he has.

Gomes was very similar post injury, acted like he had far more time than he did when under pressure.

I know people hate stats but they track these things so we’re going to talk about it. The number of times he’s dispossessed per 90 is absolutely fine. Pretty much dead center when compared to your general PL midfielder. If you want to look at it from a dribbling perspective it’s pretty much the same. It also has to be said he’s not much of a dribbler in general and is more just carrying to space than taking players on.

Compared to KDH there’s just really not a lot of difference there. KDH doesn’t lose out in dribbles but that’s because he essentially doesn’t take players on. Can’t lose it if you don’t try. Which is really my problem with it.

So anyway the loses the ball thing is overblown. He’s fine. And #10s who don’t lose the ball some are bad #10s. That’s not the job!

 

[Curtis]

I’d like to disagree with the being able to look after it bit. Part of being in that spot is giving the ball away. Unless you’re Messi or De Bruyne or something you won’t be able to threaten enough if you’re not losing it at times. It’s part of the job.

If losing the ball as a number ten is the metric for being an incredible player Doucoure would be the G.O.A.T.

 

[TheBigIguana]

If losing the ball as a number ten is the metric for being an incredible player Doucoure would be the G.O.A.T.

Yeah don't think you quite got the point

 

[Curtis]

Yeah don't think you quite got the point

Oh my God lighten up Alexi Lalas I don't think you got the point , it's called riffing and creating a joke , I understood the gist of your comment.

 

[Haydn]

Just don’t get the love in for Alcaraz. He loses the ball for fun. He can be good when we are dominant, but we have better players in his position.

He’s a liability in midfield, when we are poor. Squad player, at best.

 

[WilliamBoo]

I’d disagree but hopefully it’s something he can improve on.

Having such poor ability to retain possession when you frequently want to dribble isn’t ideal let’s be honest. He’s positive and never hides though and I’d prefer he took risks like he does.

It’s concerning how he hasn’t sped up his thought process in tight spaces though, he simply hasn’t got the time he thinks he has.

Gomes was very similar post injury, acted like he had far more time than he did when under pressure.

He loses the ball more frequently because he takes more risks and go forward more than others players You know he ever try to gain in speed or turn faster, driving or searching for a pass in forward.
Is that simple

 

[yakublue]

Just don’t get the love in for Alcaraz. He loses the ball for fun. He can be good when we are dominant, but we have better players in his position.

He’s a liability in midfield, when we are poor. Squad player, at best.

This is how I feel, find it confusing that some people seem to really like him. I must have missed a game last season where he was boss or something.

 

[royvernon39]

Other than JOB, no player made a bigger contribution during the last three months of last season than Charly. He should be the first sub on at 65 minutes every game as he adds bite and offers the transition quality. However, I get the impression that DM has gone off him.

 

[mikel_88]

This is how I feel, find it confusing that some people seem to really like him. I must have missed a game last season where he was boss or something.

Not boss but looked like we can have a player to grow to improve. Dont think should be starting over kdh but if needed a goal should be used as a sub. Can work on his game to have in the midfield, sure would help if was on the pitch with the better players we have. Would have had a mid of alcaraz garner kdh, was a perfect chance to give it a try

 

[Kever10]

He did not deserve to be subbed far worse players out there - Nice but Dim Tim eg .....

Nice but Dim Tim, that reminds me of an old Enfield Harry Character.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Not boss but looked like we can have a player to grow to improve. Dont think should be starting over kdh but if needed a goal should be used as a sub. Can work on his game to have in the midfield, sure would help if was on the pitch with the better players we have. Would have had a mid of alcaraz garner kdh, was a perfect chance to give it a try

Its an odd one tbh, I actually agree with the view that KDH is not really a 10 but that doesn't automatically mean Alcaraz is good enough to start as one. He is just a bit too patchy for me and given the work rate Moyes demands from players I think that's a large part of the reason he starts on the bench and I think it would be the same at any club. Talented South American players don't end up back in South America at the age of 21 without good reason and some of his fanboys can't seem to get their heads around it.

 

[BigDuncTributeBand]

He loses the ball more frequently because he takes more risks and go forward more than others players You know he ever try to gain in speed or turn faster, driving or searching for a pass in forward.
Is that simple

The issue the other night wasn’t losing the ball trying searching passes or taking risks. It was a fifteen minute spell before half time where we had possession three or four times in the final third and he either slipped, played the wrong pass/turned the ball over sloppily or chose to shoot where there were better options. Think it was two or three times in a five minute spell, unfortunately for him was towards the end of the half and if Moyes already isn’t a fan, was all the excuse he needed.

 

[COYB75]

I think he has been unlucky to a degree in playing alongside poorer or more inexperienced players. Personally I would like to see him starting a run of games in the 10 role. With Grealish and N'Daiye either side of him. I'd love Dewbury Hall to be tried alongside Rohle and Garner to be played at right back. You then have the likes of Dibling to come on when needed and Gana to rotate with the central two. This obviously won't happen as I don't think Moyes rates him. However I think Moyes really mismanaged the game and should have kept a couple more experienced players like Pickford & Grealish in the starting 11. Tim is another who looks out of his depth and should not be starting any games any time soon. Just doesn't suit a central mid role.