Overview

• Steve Nicol criticised Florian Wirtz’s display at Turf Moor and said Arne Slot may soon need to bench him or try him on the left.
• Wirtz has no goals or assists in his first four Premier League starts following a transfer reported at £100–£116 million.
• Against Burnley he recorded no shot on target, eight touches in the box, four passes into the final third and won two of six ground duels, according to cited match data.
• Slot has started him in all four league wins, including the 1-0 victory at Burnley decided by Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time penalty.
• With Atlético Madrid visiting in the Champions League on Wednesday, some coverage suggests resting Wirtz, while Philipp Lahm urges patience and backs his long-term quality.