Kulusevski as an 8 has been the highlight of the first half for me. Brilliant defensively, has not been afraid to commit to anything, and is extremely good at holding the ball in tight situations. Madders hasn't been as good, I'm liking Solanke. Porro has been 2nd best at every action against Martinelli, and Udogie is doing well but that yellow is very worrying when it is against Saka.
That’s a really strange take. Maddison has seen almost double the ball Kulusevski has. Kulusevski has his from the ball several times in build up down the right, and he’s also wasted two or three fantastic attacking situations with carelessness with the ball.
I’d still have rather had him out there than Johnson - as a RF - who is pointless in these deep block games, but we need a proper R8 to help us build through the block.