“Now, we have other players that calm down the game. We play different. And [so] sometimes I expect more from Kobbie Mainoo. I know he can give that. He is really good at controlling the game, but if he plays as a no.8, he has to reach the box [and be] returning [back to midfield]. Sometimes he has to cover a lot of space.
“Kobbie could play as a no.6, but sometimes he passes the ball and goes away, and that’s not a reference as a no.6. So we have to balance everything [in midfield]. I think he needs to have the technical ability that he [already] has, but he needs more pace, he needs to better understand the position, he needs to play in different speeds – sometimes it’s slower, sometimes it’s faster – and I think he can improve on that.
“And then sometimes it’s bad luck. Bruno is maybe the most influential player in the last [few] years, and he’s been playing in that position. He has to beat Bruno, Case, Manu, they are good players also. So I need to choose. It depends on the game, the opposition and the set pieces, sometimes. All these things matter when you choose the team.
“Sometimes it’s the opinion of a coach. I remember Vitinha. Vitinha was not playing for Wolverhampton [Wanderers]. Then, nowadays, you can see that he’s maybe the best midfielder in the world. So you never know! I need to go with what I’m feeling in the moment.”