Could be a really useful player if he can stay fit. He was a huge part of a very good Man City side and hopefully Carlo gets the most out of his mentality on and off the pitch.
Two solid performances in a week - constantly creating the angles for Mina and Keane to play forwards through the opposing press, knits the play well with nicely weighted passes onto the foot that the receiving player wants the ball. Out of possession his game reading was spot on, held a good shape in the centre of midfield despite the game getting fairly stretched at times early on. If (*big if*) he can stay fit, then we may have a nice insurance policy for our brazilian Peter Reid..
I said it the other day, his ability was never in question, it's keeping him fit and his nob attitude, which to be fair we haven't seen yet this season, he's not the big fish anymore, if he ever was, but in medal terms you know what i mean.
Very effective in terms of playing simple balls, constantly being available and creating triangles to break the Brighton press. Always taking looks around him and thinking ahead when not in possession as well.
I would consider starting him in the derby as I think we need to match them up in midfield. Doucoure Allan Delph would be better at keeping a disciplined shape. Gomes could come on later in the game when more space opens up.