Why Isn’t Rose Lavelle Playing at Manchester City?

There are few players that deserve to have their names written in permanent markers on USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski’s team sheet. Rose Lavelle is one of them. Ever since her USWNT debut, Lavelle has been a bright spot in the team’s midfield. At the 2019 Women’s World Cup, she proved the hype surrounding her was worth it. A stellar goal in the World Cup final. The Bronze Ball. Lavelle owned that tournament. Despite some injury woes here and there, her quality on the pitch is irrefutable, and she could walk her way into most starting-11s in the world. So, why then can she not seem to get any playing time at Manchester City?

2020 saw a mass exodus of USWNT players to the FA WSL. Alex Morgan to Tottenham. Tobin Heath and Christen Press to Manchester United. Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, and of course, Rose Lavelle to Manchester City. Each USWNT player has had their journey in England, but we’d say with relative confidence that most players would call their spells successful. Even Alex Morgan, who hardly played with Tottenham and instead used that time to work back to full fitness. Then we have Lavelle. While Mewis and Dahlkemper seemingly found their place in the Man City team, Lavelle is often on the outside looking in.

Pretty much all season long, people in the WoSo community have scratched their heads at Lavelle’s lack of City playing time.

I honestly don't know why Rose Lavelle isn't a regular starter or getting more minutes for Manchester City. Everytime she's with the #USWNT, there's no reason to think she shouldn't be starting for pretty much any club in the world.

— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) April 10, 2021

Vlatko Andonovski on Rose Lavelle at Manchester City: https://t.co/rQ7ZArmfTa

— Adam Millington (@AdamGMillington) April 9, 2021

It isn’t a matter of quality. Lavelle has played exceptionally well for the USWNT and shows flashes of brilliance in her rare City cameos. Exhibit A:

Rose Lavelle and Manchester City ran circles around Fiorentina to reach the #UWCL quarterfinals ?

(via @ManCityWomen)pic.twitter.com/jwhrTzrmYR

— Yahoo Soccer (@FCYahoo) March 11, 2021

When she does play for City, though, it’s typically out of position or in a midfield that doesn’t quite allow her the creative freedom to shine.

With all of this said, Lavelle’s lack of playing time at City really comes down to one factor: City uses a system that simply doesn’t suit her talents.

Lavelle is at her very best at the center of the park dictating play and creating chances. At City, coach Gareth Taylor mostly plays her in positions that don’t play to her strengths. We’ve seen this time and time again. You force a player out of position, and when they don’t perform up to their usual standards, they get benched. In City’s case, this means Gareth Taylor often leaves Lavelle sidelined.

So, what’s the solution? Lavelle could leave City, return to the NWSL or perhaps take her talents to another European giant, be played in her best position, and wreck defenses the way she does with the USWNT. Or, and we’re just spitballing here, Taylor can rework his strategy and let the 2019 Bronze Ball winner do what she does best. One thing’s certain, you simply can’t have one of the best players in the world and let her sit on the bench.

Featured Image via Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images