The changes Ange should make to the starting XI for the trip to AFC Bournemouth
By Tom Vinall
3) Dejan Kulusevski for James Maddison
This one might feel reactionary. There is no way that Maddison deserved to be dropped immediately after the game against Manchester City, but his performance against Fulham was really poor. In fairness, this is less about him and more about Kulusevski. With the energy and athleticism that Bournemouth have, you can’t be confident this is a game where both playing in midfield together will work.
So, we know Kulusevski has to start – a player who got *some* rest against Fulham – which means Maddison may have to drop out. This one doesn’t feel as cut and dry as the full-backs. If Ange does start both players in the same midfield, it wouldn’t be a “that feels really stubborn and naïve”, whereas it would somewhat feel like that if both full-backs start again.
On a smaller pitch, with less ground to cover, the two in midfield could work. However, again to go back to the point of Bournemouth’s energy and high tempo football, it feels like a game where Pape Sarr will be needed. Sarr is not a number six, which points to the midfield being him and Kulusevski either side of Yves Bissouma holding it down.