Summer Transfers

citizens_1976 said:
You can have ball playing centre backs all day every day, but if a team lacks real leadership at the back, then as a club you will never win titles. Barcelona had that with Puyol, Real Madrid have that with Ramos, Bayern have that with Boateng and Hummels.

City lack a leader at the back, they lack assurance and it is clear to see when we play against direct teams who like to hit us on the break at speed, we are all at sea and the communication and organisation is all over the place. Kolarov lacks concentration, Stones is too nice and needs to toughen up and start growing into a leader at this club and Otamendi is on the floor diving in more than the grass itself. For me, we need a commander at the back to provide that presence and that assurance for other players to look up to. Its all well and good having pretty footballers, but you need character and real grit to fight towards titles every other season.

I feel Bonucci and Van Dijk would provide that for us. Bonucci for his experience and composure, Van Dijk for his commanding and imposing physical presence.
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Van dijk would be our best signing if we can pull it off this summer. He's a beast, probably captain material too.
 
IN:

Isco 20m
Kolasinac 0m
Mendy/Bertrand 30m
Fabinho 30m
Ederson 35m
Bonucci 45m
Sanchez 45m
Total: 205m

Out:
Hart 15m
Nasri 15m
Bony 10m
Mangala 10m
Delph 10m
Denayer 10m
Nolito 10m
Mooy 10m
Total: 90m

Net Spend 115m
 
citizens_1976 said:
You can have ball playing centre backs all day every day, but if a team lacks real leadership at the back, then as a club you will never win titles. Barcelona had that with Puyol, Real Madrid have that with Ramos, Bayern have that with Boateng and Hummels.
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I don't believe in this. It is just ssomething people say and they convince themselves to believe it. Barcelona won predominantly because of Messi, Zavi and Iniesta or Messi, Ronaldihno and Eto and Real because of Ronaldo, Bale and sure Ramos but not because of his leadership on defense. Talent is what wins titles. Period. But I know people often feel otherwise. But I respectfully disagree.

As a side note who is Chelsea's leader at the back? Luis? Cahill? Azpiculetta?

City lack a leader at the back, they lack assurance and it is clear to see when we play against direct teams who like to hit us on the break at speed, we are all at sea and the communication and organisation is all over the place. Kolarov lacks concentration, Stones is too nice and needs to toughen up and start growing into a leader at this club and Otamendi is on the floor diving in more than the grass itself. For me, we need a commander at the back to provide that presence and that assurance for other players to look up to. Its all well and good having pretty footballers, but you need character and real grit to fight towards titles every other season.
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I think Kolarov has been a top 5 LCB in the league. So claims that he lacks concentration are really vestiges of his history rather than a true analysis of his performance at CB. Stones hasn't play has oscillate from great games early on a down period and of late he is back on the upswing. That said, he is obviously the true leader of the team. And will ask me the position in totality next season. Otamendi is a top 5 CB with a penchant for howlers every now and then.
I feel Bonucci and Van Dijk would provide that for us. Bonucci for his experience and composure, Van Dijk for his commanding and imposing physical presence.
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I agree Van Dijk would be an upgrade. I think he is the best CB in the league and probably better than all our CBs. So I probably wouldn't object. But its nor a necessity. Its like Messi to me. Sure I'll take him, but we don't necessarily need him.
 
Dax777 said:
At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team
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Is that a bit short on centerbacks there?
 
Dax777 said:
At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team
Click to expand...

Lacks at least one top quality CB. Probably Laporte.

Also not sure Fabinho would come here to convert back into a defender. Maybe as a back-up. But he is primarily a midfielder. Way too productive in midfield to convert into a defender full-time.

If we sign Fabinho and Dahoud. Not sure where you would find the space for Isco.

And that attack covers the wings very well. But lacks another quality striker.
 
Jazzman said:
Is that a bit short on centerbacks there?
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Won't say so. 3 with Dihno, an Fabihno deputizing as needed.

Admittedly we could always add 1 more. Van Dijk if we are going the expensive route or Vlad Chiriches if we are going for a surprisingly good backup. There are 16 foreign players so there is space for 1 more.
 
BlueCityfan said:
Lacks at least one top quality CB. Probably Laporte.

Also not sure Fabinho would come here to convert back into a defender. Maybe as a back-up. But he is primarily a midfielder. Way too productive in midfield to convert into a defender full-time.

If we sign Fabinho and Dahoud. Not sure where you would find the space for Isco.

And that attack covers the wings very well. But lacks another quality striker.
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I'd rather Isco over Dahood. If Fabihno is primarily a mid, then Heinrich or Perrerira as the starting RB and Isco over Dahood.

Van Dijk is the CB if we intend on spending top dollar

Striker wise, the question is simply wether Jesus can replicate about 70% of Aguero's production. If he can, the rest of the team will make up the difference. I expect a serious jump in Sterling and Sane productions. Sure I'd hope that Aguero stays
 
Dax777 said:
At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team
Click to expand...
We would become the new Arsenal with that squad , loads of technical ability but not robust enough to ride the challenges that are presented over a premier league season

We need a grizzled , battle hardened centre back who can play a bit - perhaps Bonucci

We also need more physicality in midfield, we dont need both Dahoud and Isco, replace one of then with someone with a bit more grit

Up front , we cant go into the season with a forward line as young as that, we need some experience , my preference would be a plan B centre forward who is good in the air. We have one of the best crossers of the ball in Europe , it would be a great weapon from the bench if we could bring on a striker who could get on the end of crosses
 
Dax777 said:
At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team
Click to expand...

That squad is in dire need of a top class centre half! Not too much else I'd disagree with though!
 
Dax777 said:
I'd rather Isco over Dahood. If Fabihno is primarily a mid, then Heinrich or Perrerira as the starting RB and Isco over Dahood.

Van Dijk is the CB if we intend on spending top dollar

Striker wise, the question is simply wether Jesus can replicate about 70% of Aguero's production. If he can, the rest of the team will make up the difference. I expect a serious jump in Sterling and Sane productions. Sure I'd hope that Aguero stays
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1. I think Fabinho would mainly play the pivot role. And rotate with Fernandinho. And also cover RB. Dahoud/Isco would rotate with Silva/Bruyne/Gundogan.

2. Pep will sign another CB, if not 2. That's for sure. My gut says he wants one left-footed CB alongside Stones.

3. If Jesus get's injured. Who is going to play up front? We need at least 2 players who are comfortable playing up front.

As for Dahoud vs Isco. No idea who i would want. Fabinho and Dahoud seem like certain targets according to report. But Isco also looks like a real possibility. But don't see how it would be possible to fit all 3.

Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva + 2 of those 3 would give us perhaps the best midfield depth in the world. In terms of quality.
 
Charlesfarsbar said:
We would become the new Arsenal with that squad , loads of technical ability but not robust enough to ride the challenges that are presented over a premier league season

We need a grizzled , battle hardened centre back who can play a bit - perhaps Bonucci

We also need more physicality in midfield, we dont need both Dahoud and Isco, replace one of then with someone with a bit more grit

Up front , we cant go into the season with a forward line as young as that, we need some experience , my preference would be a plan B centre forward who is good in the air. We have one of the best crossers of the ball in Europe , it would be a great weapon from the bench if we could bring on a striker who could get on the end of crosses
Click to expand...
I agree with your opinion of the need for a backup experiencead striker. Just didn't know who.

I also suggested dropping Dahood an keeping Fabihno in midfield then getting Heinrich/Parreira for right back. But that's more to appease the English based thought process. Our defending will come from group pressing and not individual hardmen. And the idea that Isco and Dahood are incapable is really a perception problem rather than fact.

As for CB, Bonnuci is not what is describe as "grizzled or battle hardened." He is a ball playing CB with experience in the Italian league. If push came to shove Van Dijk is the guy you want. I don't think its a need though.
 
BlueCityfan said:
1. I think Fabinho would mainly play the pivot role. And rotate with Fernandinho. And also cover RB. Dahoud/Isco would rotate with Silva/Bruyne/Gundogan.

2. Pep will sign another CB, if not 2. That's for sure. My gut says he wants one left-footed CB alongside Stones.

3. If Jesus get's injured. Who is going to play up front? We need at least 2 players who are comfortable playing up front.

As for Dahoud vs Isco. No idea who i would want. Fabinho and Dahoud seem like certain targets according to report. But Isco also looks like a real possibility. But don't see how it would be possible to fit all 3.

Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva + 2 of those 3 would give us perhaps the best midfield depth in the world. In terms of quality.
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I agree with the fear of injury to Jesus worry, and would like an experienced backup striker. Just not sure who.

I think the midfield will be the current 4 plus one of Dahood, Fabihno or Isco. And the only way we even add 2 of those 3 is if. Fabihno is a fullback who can cameo in midfield. Its crowded in midfield. I think Pep would be looking for 4 starters and 2 backups for 3 positions. Dihno and Garcia are the backups. We have 3 starters already and have space for only one more ( at least that's how it looks in my mind). So its Isco o Dahood and not likely both.
 
462d4ccf2009b8e44608cbc84c9501f2.jpg


Next years squad, considering all the latest transfer rumors.
Ideally, if I had to change something for my own liking, it would be:
1 of Laporte or Kolasinac(considering he comes as a LCB) and,
Bernat as a primary LB (wouldn't mid Gaya, Ghoulam or Grimaldo too)
Would love Dahoud but think it might just be an overkill, plus It would geniunely halt Garcia I think. You never know about Pep though, he loves his midfielders.

73bfe300bc23cfeac522d1450d328868.jpg
 
I think we will buy and sell many players this summer so this is my wishlist :)

In

Ederson
Lafont
Gaya
Kolasinac(free)
Henrichs
Van Dijk
Sarr(Nice)
Weigl
Alli
Ghezza(free)/ Havertz(BayLeverkusen) (Free)
Coman

Out
Hart
Nasri
Nolito
Denayer
Bravo
Mangala
Delph
Navas
 
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Wonder which player from the German league we will sign this summer that Bayern wanted.

I seem to recall we beat them to De Bruyne & Sane.
 
I hope we don't sign Bonucci, good player but overrated. Not to mention he's 29. Van Dijk would be brilliant
 
Serg10Aguero said:
I hope we don't sign Bonucci, good player but overrated. Not to mention he's 29. Van Dijk would be brilliant
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29 is middle aged for a defender and a baby as an Italian.

Bonucci is one of the top 5 defenders in the business as well, a serial winner, leader, and would educate Stones ten-fold.
 
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