Defensive Headache Prompts Tomori's Return to Squad
A mounting injury concern at the back has pushed Fikayo Tomori back into the spotlight. With Gabbia sidelined and no clear timeline for his return, the coach drew a direct line to the summer’s issues with Gila, admitting the schedule leaves no room for uncertainty.
Four games in ten days. That’s the reality, and it’s driving every selection call.
“We’ve had a problem with Gabbia, and we don’t know how long he’ll be out. It’s a bit like the situation we had in the summer with Gila,” the coach explained, underlining the strain of the upcoming run. In that context, Tomori’s profile suddenly becomes crucial again.
Tomori has impressed in training, and that work has been noticed. “Tomori, however, is an excellent player; I saw him training well. My priority is always the team, and at that moment, I felt it was the best decision to bring him back into the squad.” No sentiment, just necessity and form guiding the call.
Camarda to Be Used – and Trusted
Up front, the message is clear: Francesco Camarda will not just watch from the bench.
“I think we need to give Camarda a chance,” the coach said, opening the door to a more flexible attacking setup. The plan is to lean on variety in the final third, with the possibility of using three rotating forwards to unsettle opponents and adapt on the fly.
Sometimes the game demands a different kind of striker, a different movement, a different threat. The coach made that point bluntly: “Sometimes changing the characteristics of our attackers can help us. There isn't a single team in the world that has all the right characteristics for every position throughout the season. We will use Camarda. Of course, it will depend on the matches.”
The promise is there: minutes will come, as long as the game state allows it.
Moreira and Rabiot Push for Starting Roles
In midfield and out wide, competition is sharpening. Moreira, after two full weeks of work, has stepped up his readiness and now stands alongside Rabiot as a genuine starting option.
“Moreira has had two weeks of training. He’s better prepared than last week. He’s an option, as is Rabiot, in two positions. So, we’ll see what our starting XI will be,” the coach said, keeping his cards close while making it clear both players are firmly in the frame.
The vision for Moreira is versatile and tactical. “I see Moreira as a fifth midfielder/winger, but there will be matches where he can play further forward or alongside Chukwueze. We have many players to rotate.”
With injuries biting at the back, a brutal fixture list ahead, and youngsters like Camarda and Moreira being nudged toward bigger roles, the next ten days won’t just test the squad’s depth. They’ll reveal who is ready to turn opportunity into something permanent.
