Keita is a disappointment so far, there's no other way around it, however the hate is at agenda levels on here at the moment, which is completely counter productive. "He can't play football" is a pretty special statement, clearly he can, he's shown in glimpses that he can beat players, turn on the ball quickly, play good passes, and make good forward runs, he clearly has the tools, and that just makes it all the more frustrating.
The issue Keita is having at the moment is twofold, and it's all basic shit which is super frustrating. He clearly doesn't get how the team plays yet, I'm not sure if thats due to the language barrier, or because he's stupid, but it's the biggest thing letting him down, and it'll only be fixed with time. His positioning is off, often he's seen looking over his shoulder not knowing where he should be, and that's really contributing to him playing within himself, he's massively lacking in confidence, and keeps playing it safe as a result, probably due to this apprehension caused by the point before. You can almost see him working up the confidence to do something as the game goes on, as instead of just doing it, it seems as if he's nervous he'll get shouted at or something. Generally when he does try stuff it's effective, he needs to have the confidence to do it more, and I kinda agree with GK, some games in the reserve might help that.
I also think the position isn't helping, he was playing as the further back midfielder last night, he should be playing in the Ox role, playing him and Shaqiri last night was a mistake, it probably wasn't possible due to Fabinho's fitness, but Keita infront of Gini and Fabinho would have been much better balance for me, I don't like seeing Keita drop back almost like a quarterback like he was last night, thats not his game.
Hopes for him? Well now we're out of the cups its difficult, he needs more games in a midfield three in the Ox position, but realistically we can't be playing around with him when we're chasing such a prestigious prize. I'd like to see him coming on in the 60th minute into the Ox position, and potentially starting there when we need to rotate, but unfortunately due to the nature of where his issues seem to lie, I ultimately think he's going to be one for next season, simply he needs more time to settle in and learn the system, and fill more comfortable at the club. One things for sure though, there is absolutely nothing to gain with this agenda, and pushing him out the door in the summer, he's clearly got talent, its the basics that are the issue for him at the moment.
