Gedion Zelalem at FC Den Bosch

I guess he’s one of those “good enough to play in UCL but chose not to” guys.

 

He's one of those top Premier League goalscorers for a team that has spent 15 seasons in the Premier League.

Look Dempsey at his prime absolutely is a key starter on a UCL team from a lesser league (ie: Belgium, Greece, etc) and either an occasional starter if not rotation player on a UCL team in the big leagues. The dude scored goals as a substitute regularly. His knack to show up in big matches, combined with his ability to make something from nothing would have made him a valuable squad player at his prime to all but a handful of teams in the world.

He was rlly, rlly good.

 

SG,

I love CD and respect the hell out of him - wish he could have scored in Russia to take the all-time USMNT scoring lead. He factually wasn't a UCL player (despite his stated goal) and I'm just pointing out that there are lots of really good players who don't get to play in the UCL and it's highly subjective to say that someone's a UCL quality player when they haven't played.

That being said, I completely agree that he was more than good enough to start in the group rounds of UCL for a team from a lesser league but I think he always wanted to play for a Big 4 team in the UCL.

 

Coach Freddie after their game:

"“Gedion did well when he came on. But he wasn’t ready to play more than 25 minutes so I had to wait for him to come on and change the system (to a three at the back)."

https://artderoche.wordpress.com/20...2-arsenal-u21s/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

Came in at the 90’ yesterday in 5-4 loss to Chelsea u23s.

https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/...l-u23s-lose-to-chelsea-in-nine-goal-thriller/

 

he's currently starting for Arsenal U21 in the EFL cup.

they are leading 2-0 HT, Zelalem didn't score or assist either goal.

 

Zelalem subbed for the second half. Most of the guys on the field are from the U18 team: Saka, Coyle, John-Jules, etc. I think Zelalem was the oldest.

 

Couple reviews from his 45 minutes:

Check out @jamesbenge’s Tweet:

Zelalem being hauled off after 45 minutes, Charlie Gilmour coming on. Has only just come back from injury to be fair but really struggled tonight,

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) November 7, 2018

Check out @jamesbenge’s Tweet:

This could be a rough night for Zelalem, who collides with the much bigger Forest Green midfielder Digby and falls to the deck like a sapling. Really struggling to hold his own in midfield.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) November 7, 2018

 

he's never making it at Arsenal anyways, with an expiring 2019 contract. Should consider leaving in Winter transfer, fresh start.
But who knows where he could end up.

 

You could tell me anywhere from the 2. Bundesliga to USL and I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Surely he is going to need a trial almost anywhere he goes. (If he were coming off a "meh" year, but had been consistently healthy, perhaps not.)

 

Guy slows down any attack, takes an extra second to think what he has to do. Add to that the physical limitations, and the prognosis is not good.

 

The same lazy analysis youve been spouting for years. There is plenty of video of the kid moving the ball very quickly and only slowing down to dictate the game.

The injury will likely have a significant impact on his career. Your celebrating every time talented kid abroad has set back is tiring and not sure what it accomplishes. I'm surprised more people dont call you out on it.

 

Very much on point, though. I've been long enough online (long before the web) to know people don't read more than ten lines, tops.

 

C'mon GZ.

 

Weird game. Down 2-0 when GZ was pulled. They just got their 2nd red card moments before. 3 players sent off. 2 for Arsenal.

 

unused bench player in a 2-1 loss to Portsmouth in EFL Trophy.

getting closer to that Winter transfer market though....

 

Unused sub in U23 game yesterday vs Liverpool.

 

that seems very likely at this point hasn't done anything for too long. Would be surprising otherwise, unless he goes to a low level.

 

Guys, I transferred Gedion Zelalem to my English League Two club in career mode in FIFA 19 -- am currently starting him as part of a 3-man midfield in a 4-3-3. Five games into the season, I have mixed feedback. He is tidy on the ball with his passing and he has good vision. But he doesn't get stuck in or contribute much defensively with his lack of pace, he lacks a nose for goal and a powerful shot, and he gets pushed off the ball fairly easily playing in a physical league. Soooo, the jury's still out on him. There's my scouting report based on real world, empirical evidence.

 

Sounds about right.