Did I watch the same match as everyone else this week? I thought he played decent, like maybe 6/10 or 7/10 if we are really stretching it, but it's not like he scored a hat trick and was running through everyone out there. I feel like everyone has lowered their expectations of Gyokeres to such an extent that him putting in what would have been a pretty average Havertz performance has this forum raving about his form.
He still looked extremely limited on the ball with two big opportunities sticking out to me - got lucky on one break in the first half when he clearly scuffed his left footed attempt to cross and it got deflected out for a corner and then passed the ball behind Saka in the second half when he was leading the break which killed the chance.
He is doing a better job holding off defenders and holding the ball when used as a release valve but he's nowhere near Kai's level there, even coming back from injury. He also got a couple of calls that while correct, he's never gotten in the EPL with defenders allowed to throw him to the ground unpunished. And the space he had in the channels is something he rarely sees in the EPL, although I can see the point that maybe he would see more space with City actually playing football against us. But then again, he's not beating them in behind since they have Khusanov, who is rapid.
Personally, I'd much rather start Kai as we know he can be a great release valve and hold up the ball, while also being a much more complete footballer and presser. Then we can bring on Gyokeres against a tired City backline if we need a goal or to just take advantage of any space they may leave if they are pressing.
