Isn’t that exactly what we brought Ugarte in for? From a defensive point of view, his numbers are hard to argue with — he breaks up play, covers ground, wins duels, and presses with intensity. But the issue has always been on the ball. That lack of composure and quality in possession is precisely why Amorim turned to Casemiro instead of Ugarte in our biggest game of the season against Spurs.
Casemiro might not be at his peak anymore, but he still offers a level of calmness and range in possession that Ugarte just doesn’t. Unfortunately, neither Casemiro nor Bruno looked particularly sharp that night, but both at least have the ability to play forward with intent and mix up their passing. And that’s where the real conversation begins — because if Bruno is a guaranteed starter, as he should be, we need to build around what he brings, and more importantly, what he doesn’t.
Bruno is high energy, high risk, high reward. He’s going to try the killer pass, lose the ball in dangerous areas, chase shadows at times, and throw everything into the final third. That’s his game. You can’t — and shouldn’t — try to coach that out of him. But it does mean whoever plays next to him has to offer what he can’t. Someone to sit in, take control, read danger, keep possession ticking, and bring calm to chaos. Basically, someone who balances out the volatility in Bruno’s style.
Think back to when Michael Carrick partnered Paul Scholes. Scholes had the freedom to drift, create and dictate, while Carrick operated in the background — intercepting, recycling possession, and making sure the game flowed. It wasn’t flashy, but it was crucial. That’s the kind of presence we’re missing in midfield.
The complication is that Amorim clearly values physicality. He wants his midfielders to be dominant — aggressive in the duels, aerially strong, capable of pressing high and covering ground. But the more attributes you add to the wishlist — technical ability, passing range, defensive nous, athleticism — the more you’re describing someone like Declan Rice or Caicedo. Players who command massive fees. And that kind of spending just doesn’t seem realistic at the moment, especially with the focus this summer clearly leaning toward attacking reinforcements.
That’s why Amorim has a real decision to make. What does this squad truly lack most? I was listening to Carl Anka on The Paddock, and he said what we need is a tall, athletic midfielder who can carry the ball when needed, shield the back four, and give us a physical presence — essentially, a more defensive version of Pogba. Not someone who needs to dictate the game, but someone who complements Bruno and gives the midfield a stronger spine.
That’s where players like Felix Nmecha come in. He’s physical, mobile, and offers ball-carrying from deep — something we sorely lack in the current squad. He’s not the most polished in possession, but he gives you a bit of everything: athleticism, defensive work rate, and enough technical ability to function in a double pivot. Anton Stach is another name that fits — less dynamic with the ball, but probably more tactically disciplined. He’s strong in the air, defends well, and rarely loses his shape.
Ultimately, it all comes back to Bruno. He’s not going to be benched, and rightly so, which means the player next to him needs to cover his gaps. Bruno doesn’t offer much defensive security, he’s vulnerable in the air, doesn’t carry the ball, and is high-risk in possession. So whoever comes in has to provide that balance — someone who can clean up behind him, get the ball into good areas, and do the work Bruno won’t. In that sense, a player like Nmecha makes the most sense. He may not be perfect, but I think it's something Amorim is looking for.
A midfield partnership between Bruno and Nmecha could mirror the dynamic of Mac Allister and Gravenberch — combining Bruno’s creativity and high-risk play with Nmecha’s physicality and ball-carrying strength. What makes Nmecha especially valuable is his versatility; he can easily step into a box-to-box role, meaning he’d also have no trouble playing in the pivot alongside Casemiro or Ugarte.
