Defensive Headache Opens Door for Tomori and Camarda
The coach did not hide the problem. “We’ve had a problem with Gabbia, and we don’t know how long he’ll be out,” he admitted, outlining a fresh defensive concern that instantly reshapes his plans.
The situation, he said, mirrors the issues they faced in the summer with Gila. The calendar offers no mercy: four matches in ten days, a stretch that will punish any squad lacking depth or flexibility. That is why every decision now feels loaded, every call on personnel a small gamble.
In that context, one name stands out: Tomori.
“Tomori, however, is an excellent player; I saw him training well,” the coach stressed. The message was clear. Form in training has pushed the defender back into contention, and necessity has done the rest.
“My priority is always the team, and at that moment, I felt it was the best decision to bring him back into the squad.”
A door has closed for Gabbia, at least temporarily. For Tomori, it has swung wide open.
Camarda Set for His Chance
Up front, the tone shifted from concern to opportunity.
“I think we need to give Camarda a chance,” the coach said, signalling that the young forward will not just be an emergency option but part of a broader attacking plan.
The idea is fluidity. Three rotating forwards, different profiles, different threats. “Sometimes changing the characteristics of our attackers can help us,” he explained, underlining the need for variety in a season where no squad is perfectly built for every scenario.
“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 message to the youngster is both encouraging and demanding: be ready, because the chance is coming — but it will be earned match by match, not handed over blindly.
Rabiot and Moreira Push for Starting Roles
If the attack will be shuffled, the midfield and wide areas are not far behind.
“Moreira has had two weeks of training. He’s better prepared than last week,” the coach noted. That extra work has moved him firmly into the conversation. “He’s an option, as is Rabiot, in two positions. So, we’ll see what our starting XI will be.”
Moreira’s versatility is a clear asset. “I see Moreira as a fifth midfielder/winger,” the coach said, before adding that certain games could drag him higher up the pitch or tuck him inside. “There will be matches where he can play further forward or alongside Chukwueze.”
The implication is obvious: this is a squad built to rotate, not to stand still. “We have many players to rotate,” he concluded.
With injuries biting, fixtures piling up, and youngsters like Camarda and flexible options like Moreira pushing through, the next ten days will not just test the team’s resilience. They might redefine the pecking order for the rest of the season.
