True. Might explain why the club are more patient than some on here! That said, you'd imagine Guardiola would want them in sooner rather than later so that we can hit the ground running.
Near perfection? You need to look at the league table. We haven't signed anyone, KDB excepted, in the last 4 years, who'd be wanted by the truly elite teams in Europe. Our transfer policy, post-2012 has been piss=poor. If you think signing the likes of Maicon, Garcia, Delph etc is some long-term master-stroke that's suddenly going to elevate us to the Barca/Real level, I'm afraid you're very much mistaken. Playing out brilliantly? Aye, 4th place behind Leicester, Spurs and Arsenal - utter genius. I'm glad you love it. I'd rather we smash the transfer market, and sign the best. We have the money. Let's get fleeced. All the way to the title.
Near perfection? You need to look at the league table. We haven't signed anyone, KDB excepted, in the last 4 years, who'd be wanted by the truly elite teams in Europe. Our transfer policy, post-2012 has been piss=poor. If you think signing the likes of Maicon, Garcia, Delph etc is some long-term master-stroke that's suddenly going to elevate us to the Barca/Real level, I'm afraid you're very much mistaken. Playing out brilliantly? Aye, 4th place behind Leicester, Spurs and Arsenal - utter genius. I'm glad you love it. I'd rather we smash the transfer market, and sign the best. We have the money. Let's get fleeced. All the way to the title.
For me it is clear what path the board have chosen.
Gone are the days of paying over the top for a good player nearing his prime. Over the top wages due to being a popular target. Hut and miss signings with very little selling on revenue.
The present in my opinion is top whack bids and wages for 'crack players' that are vital to the build of the team. 25 or younger seems to be the m.o unless a player represents good squad value. An instant xi starter at 28 or 29 is a here and now signing for impact. But our focus is on players for the future. Players who can give a career to us or a good 4 or 5 years prior to being sold on. The likes of Moreno, Roberts and Jesus tells us that we are looking for that next big thing and are willing to pay a premium for early stage signings we can mold under Pep. The ahove 3 cost around £60m. But for that you get an Aubamayang or Griezmann. Someone who is great addition but risky. If it doesnt pan iut i.e Di Maria then a loss is inevitable and the search continues for that player sought in the first place. It is risk management spread across a portfolio or in this case, a squad. Say Roberts becomes an England International and solid Prem player. He would cost what we have invested for the 3 players in say 4 years time. Only really needs one of Moreno and Jesus to work out also to be shrewd business in todays crazy market. Loan the player who hasnt made the grade, in a continental league and sell on. Many clubs sign olayers who havent quite made the grade and hope to shine up a rough diamond that has slipped through the net. Citing a lack of opportunity due to top level players contending for a starting place. The likes of Sturridge, Balotelli and Bojan being examples for the business model.
I see it more business orientated and more faith in scouting the next stars that stage before they become household names with twice the hype and wage demands.
For me it is clear what path the board have chosen.
Gone are the days of paying over the top for a good player nearing his prime. Over the top wages due to being a popular target. Hut and miss signings with very little selling on revenue.
The present in my opinion is top whack bids and wages for 'crack players' that are vital to the build of the team. 25 or younger seems to be the m.o unless a player represents good squad value. An instant xi starter at 28 or 29 is a here and now signing for impact. But our focus is on players for the future. Players who can give a career to us or a good 4 or 5 years prior to being sold on. The likes of Moreno, Roberts and Jesus tells us that we are looking for that next big thing and are willing to pay a premium for early stage signings we can mold under Pep. The ahove 3 cost around £60m. But for that you get an Aubamayang or Griezmann. Someone who is great addition but risky. If it doesnt pan iut i.e Di Maria then a loss is inevitable and the search continues for that player sought in the first place. It is risk management spread across a portfolio or in this case, a squad. Say Roberts becomes an England International and solid Prem player. He would cost what we have invested for the 3 players in say 4 years time. Only really needs one of Moreno and Jesus to work out also to be shrewd business in todays crazy market. Loan the player who hasnt made the grade, in a continental league and sell on. Many clubs sign olayers who havent quite made the grade and hope to shine up a rough diamond that has slipped through the net. Citing a lack of opportunity due to top level players contending for a starting place. The likes of Sturridge, Balotelli and Bojan being examples for the business model.
I see it more business orientated and more faith in scouting the next stars that stage before they become household names with twice the hype and wage demands.
Good post. You could possibly add to that Guardiola's apparent preference for working with young players who are more "malleable" to his methods, rather than established stars.
Obviously there are a few exceptions to this with his transfers (Villa, Alonso, Vidal etc) but I'm sure both he and City would love to unearth the next global superstar, rather than trying to buy a Messi, Bale or Neymar, for a variety of reasons.
Risky strategy, of course, as you're not buying proven goods, so to speak. Clearly a risk they think is worth taking though.
Thanks....That means a lot to me ;) I like you too