Dortmund was pretty good the first season. Second season was a flop. Klopp was tired and the team was exhausted with too many injuries. Mkhi didnt know his role in the team. I doubt that anyone did. It was a mess. They decided that they need a fresh air. Tuchel is not a soft coach, he is a tough guy and never gives an inch to his players. They were all focused and played well.
One thing that i noticed that since that Liverpools game Mkhi stopped running like crazy and fighting for the ball. I didnt see sparkle in his eyes anymore. He changed for some reason. I know why people started criticising him. He just wouldnt fight anymore. Not sure why. Jose has given Mkhi a 20 min sub chance to bring him back later to which Mkhi didnt respond well and Jose is punishing Mkhi now. The fact that Mkhi trained with the team and was left out against CSKA proves it. He was left out along with a bunch recovering from injuries. I dont think any proffesional will like that kind of attitude. Mkhi will leave. Nothing will change for Man Utd and Jose. Sad that didnt work because Mkhi would really shine in attacking United. Just read some posts from september, ud be surprised how things have changed.
I was at Houston watching how united smashed city in the pre season. It was increadible. Mkhi was gliding on the field. The team was attacking and it was one of the most enjoyable games i can remember. Comes november and we play the fecking bus again.
Dortmund as a whole was good but Mkhi had problem settling and being inconsistent. The second season, when you look at it without any bias, it's what we're talking about Mkhi: when the team need player to step up and hold down position to lessen burden for the coach after key players were out injured; the secondary (great individual talented) players didn't show up to be counted. Not only failed to step up but also look like being among the players who needed to be upgraded. Tuchel changed the dynamism of the team, that is for his credit. It's not to beat Klopp or an excuse for Mkhi against Mourinho.
If you're familiar with me, I already pointed out Mkhi being the liability since the Southampton game for same exact issue against L'pool: 1.failed to be an outlet to bring the ball out despite being less burdened in defensive phase (compared to our wide men); 2.failed to pressure opposition players no let them easily bring the ball; 3. Filed to be available for Lukaku to combine with when we decided to excuse Mkhi's short coming in carrying the ball up the pitch in point 1. Therefore, it's not a new thing since L'pool game (the highest of pressure), that stifled him into bad form. It's slightest pressure from the like of PL average intensity from the like of Southampton. Not being able to cope with that, it's huge trouble. Again, it's all down to Mkhi. Not because Mourinho threw him into the pressure cooker of big games (if anything we have other camps complaining about A,B,C... not being trusted more thus start more big games...) and broke him.
Pre season is kind of moot point to discuss as top teams can be spanked. They were whoring for money while treating the games as training sessions. Pressure is different, if not unexisting. At we arrive at it, it's the question on Mkhi's mentality coping with pressure and high expectation. No one is questioning his technician ability or pace. Using it as excuexes while complaining about tactic high profile real game is straw clutching at its best. Remember City played that as first pre season game. We're fitter & have better player for selection at that time. In this game we're facing more problem with fitness &selection with our players and that's the reality of real competition.
Be careful with words here my friend. The flock is gonna rip you apart.lol.
The truth is that Jose style used to work perfectly. Its quite outdated. No one does that anymore. Look at Klopp, Pochettino, Guardiola. They all promote attacking style. All Jose does in big games is put a lot of accent on defense and hope for his ultra class players to come up with something. When they stop listening or dont defend properly, they are out. That shit game aint gonna win titles anymore. Forget about CL or Premier League. Some League cup may be. By playing long balls you starve the middle and make the midfielders look like ghosts in a game. When he loses, the first thing he does is to blame the midfield for bot shining.
He said lately that Mkhi doesnt deserve to be ahead of youngsters. That says a lot about the current situation.
Just as I suspect you try to spin it on the coach, but not the player himself. Ironically in other post (which I just responded to, you also tried to place your blame on Klopp.
The whole point of outdated tactic & such is laughable. It is worth a thread to discuss on its own, but I'll leave it short here: Chelsea just ruthless grinding results and won the title. Chelsea ain't exactly expansive. What they have is quality player naming Hazard to carry the team as focal point when we have Mkhi who was hyped up to close to the same level when he was first signed.