To be fair, I didn't see what all the hype was about in his first few games last season. He did show real class after that though and grew on me as the games went on, cutting out the silly mistakes and getting the ball to our players feet. I'd suggest that he's the same this season and we'll see the best of him the more he plays.
Yesterday I thought he was gash in the first 20 but grew into the game as it went along. MotM, not for me, but he did well to at least avert some of the danger once that first period was over.
Understandable why he was subbed.
Agree. The first 20-25 were very bad but on the other hand they could also be blamed on a lack ofmatch fitness etc, and then he caught up with the speed of things.
Where I disagree with you is that I think his performances last season became worse as the season progressed, starting somewhere last early spring. My bet was that he was overworked and was tiring from playing so many games. However, after his first sub appearance in the World Cup he very much picked up where he left off with City and IMO he contributed to the result in that dismal Semi against Germany, albeit not as much as some others did (LUIZ LUIZ LUIZ LUIZ). Again yesterday, we saw that Fernandinho in the beginning of the first half. If we rarely see that Ferna again, no problem. If he keeps popping up, it's a problem.
I wish I had a strong opinion on this, like Ferna is shite or the best thing since Marmite, but I just don't. I'm torn.