It's Quiet - a new dawn

[Neville Kneville]

Erm. You do realise Rose didn't even play yesterday. Fucking Dummy speaks volumes....

I was also attempting to join in with Pablo 1's criticism of Spurs' players, particularly Deli Ali & his links to us, but failed to copy & paste correctly so ended up with half a post.

 

[Neville Kneville]

He's nothing like what we need. Both the Spurs full backs are reliant on people not taking their space further forward with the two defensive midfielders dropping in as and when. If they've got Sane and a Sterling in front of them they won't know what to do, as evidenced when Sterling plays for England. It's not that they don't want to pass to him, they don't know how to!

I was intending to aim my earlier comment at Deli Ali but cocked it up, but this is exactly what I think about Rose & Walker. The Spurs players have all been very well coached to play their system, but none have proven they would be effective in ours, including Ali, who suits them perfectly but shows no particular aptitude as a creative mid, in the way we play, more like a 2nd striker, frequently missing passes which Silva would pick out with his eyes closed.

Danny Rose would have to change his game a lot, having a wide player in front of him a lot of the time, so we wouldn't be signing a 'ready made' player for 50 mil, we would be signing one who requires work.

 

[Neville Kneville]

The key thing for me is balance in the forward line. I'm not interested in a situation where we have headlines every week because Sanchez/Kun/Auba are on the bench and Jesus is playing. Both for the sake of the squad and for Jesus's development we need to avoid that situation. I think that Mbappe would avoid that because he could be rotated more naturally without headlines. Of course he'd want some guarantee of playing time but at 18 and having not even been a starter at Monaco in the first half of the season, I don't see him demanding that in the way that the more experienced players I've mentioned would.

On what Monaco do - it's really very hard to call. The reality is their business model in the last few years has been to do exactly what's happening, buy low, develop, sell high. I appreciate that they won't want to sell all their top players in one window but I would expect 2/3 to go which would could include Kylian. Rumour has it that underneath the first XI there's another crop of exciting youngsters there ready to push through.

Personally I think that he would cost a word record fee and I suspect that's what Monaco will take this summer. Bare in mind they're still in the CL so his value will only go up if he scores more big goals in that tournament in the next round.

Having seen Mbappe at close hand, I would be surprised if Pep can resist trying to sign him & then there is the risk of a rival signing him.

 

[BAB.DAB]

The key thing for me is balance in the forward line. I'm not interested in a situation where we have headlines every week because Sanchez/Kun/Auba are on the bench and Jesus is playing. Both for the sake of the squad and for Jesus's development we need to avoid that situation. I think that Mbappe would avoid that because he could be rotated more naturally without headlines. Of course he'd want some guarantee of playing time but at 18 and having not even been a starter at Monaco in the first half of the season, I don't see him demanding that in the way that the more experienced players I've mentioned would.

On what Monaco do - it's really very hard to call. The reality is their business model in the last few years has been to do exactly what's happening, buy low, develop, sell high. I appreciate that they won't want to sell all their top players in one window but I would expect 2/3 to go which would could include Kylian. Rumour has it that underneath the first XI there's another crop of exciting youngsters there ready to push through.

Personally I think that he would cost a word record fee and I suspect that's what Monaco will take this summer. Bare in mind they're still in the CL so his value will only go up if he scores more big goals in that tournament in the next round.

Good post

 

[BillyShears]

I'm quite surprised we didn't get Mbappe, particularly after we bid £35m.

The other day I had a look at the players out of contract, and some of the players likely to be booted by Pep; the numbers are staggering, it's roughly around £1.4m a week off the wage bill. It leaves us with so much room to manoeuvre, and these new potential signings such as Coman, Isco, Fabinho etc will earn half of what the likes of Yaya, Vinny and Kun are on.

I've got a big feeling we'll break the record for Mbappe, and we'll spend north of £250m this summer.

I think this summer will be more complicated than last summer in some respects and less complicated in some. I think for sure there'll be MUCH more competition for players than there was last summer. In England Chelsea will be much more competitive than last summer, and United will be as competitive. The contractual situations of several players at Arsenal means it could be a summer where they are more active than normal in the market place. If Liverpool get CL football they will almost certainly try and operate at that level for a deal or two.

Outside England, the big issue is that Madrid no longer have a transfer ban and having not spent much of anything in a couple of season's they'll be desperate to land a marquee if not two marquee players. Barcelona with a new manager incoming will also want to spend although the number of players they can spend on will be limited. Juventus and Bayern I think are less of a threat because i don't see them as being in the market for an Mbappe type simply because of the costs involved. However you would never completely rule either club out of trying to sign any player. They are the top clubs in their respective leagues after all!

What will make things less complicated is the lack of an international tournament this summer. It means that I expect players will be ready to decide their futures almost as soon as the season. Hopefully that means there'll be fewer protracted transfer sagas that City are involved in. Whatever happens it's a big summer for not just City but almost all the top clubs across Europe with the exception of Juve/Bayern.

 

[blueparrot]

I think this summer will be more complicated than last summer in some respects and less complicated in some. I think for sure there'll be MUCH more competition for players than there was last summer. In England Chelsea will be much more competitive than last summer, and United will be as competitive. The contractual situations of several players at Arsenal means it could be a summer where they are more active than normal in the market place. If Liverpool get CL football they will almost certainly try and operate at that level for a deal or two.

Outside England, the big issue is that Madrid no longer have a transfer ban and having not spent much of anything in a couple of season's they'll be desperate to land a marquee if not two marquee players. Barcelona with a new manager incoming will also want to spend although the number of players they can spend on will be limited. Juventus and Bayern I think are less of a threat because i don't see them as being in the market for an Mbappe type simply because of the costs involved. However you would never completely rule either club out of trying to sign any player. They are the top clubs in their respective leagues after all!

What will make things less complicated is the lack of an international tournament this summer. It means that I expect players will be ready to decide their futures almost as soon as the season. Hopefully that means there'll be fewer protracted transfer sagas that City are involved in. Whatever happens it's a big summer for not just City but almost all the top clubs across Europe with the exception of Juve/Bayern.

One more thing to throw into the pot, players trying to get into the world cup squads for next summer may well want to stay this season where they think they will get the most games,or move somewhere that will raise their profile but still get regular football. for somebody like Mbappe that could well be he thinks staying at Monaco and going to the world cup is his best bet for next season.

 

[BillyShears]

One more thing to throw into the pot, players trying to get into the world cup squads for next summer may well want to stay this season where they think they will get the most games,or move somewhere that will raise their profile but still get regular football. for somebody like Mbappe that could well be he thinks staying at Monaco and going to the world cup is his best bet for next season.

Think him in particular, he's beyond that. There has been a clear will from Deschamps to ostracise Benzema, the emergence of Mbappe makes that easy to do. So he'll go the WC no matter what i reckon. It's true that he'll want to play regularly, and it's also true that it's possible he stays at Monaco. Having said all that, IF, and it's a big IF, we were to sell Aguero. Mbappe would get 30/40 games across the CL and PL next season which is about what he should be aiming for at his age.

 

[blueparrot]

Think him in particular, he's beyond that. There has been a clear will from Deschamps to ostracise Benzema, the emergence of Mbappe makes that easy to do. So he'll go the WC no matter what i reckon. It's true that he'll want to play regularly, and it's also true that it's possible he stays at Monaco. Having said all that, IF, and it's a big IF, we were to sell Aguero. Mbappe would get 30/40 games across the CL and PL next season which is about what he should be aiming for at his age.

I'd have thought if Aguero was leaving it would have been discussed while they were in Abu Dhabi with everybody in one place away from prying press. Either way I don't think it's something that would be left until the summer, he will know now. As you say IF Aguero is going then Mbappe should be first choice.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I think Real will cough up for Hazard and Sergio - that's thick end of £200m right there and completely fits the profile of established superstars with the looks and pedigree to go straight in to the team.

When it comes to Mbappe, he won't get a guaranteed starter slot at any top club.

I suspect our main rivals for his signature will come from United and Chelsea.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I'd have thought if Aguero was leaving it would have been discussed while they were in Abu Dhabi with everybody in one place away from prying press. Either way I don't think it's something that would be left until the summer, he will know now. As you say IF Aguero is going then Mbappe should be first choice.

Good post. Deals of such a nature are done through relationships and access.

Real Madrid are probably the only club in the world who don't have anything against us.

It could also be pertinent that Perez was in Monaco for our game and that King Juan Carlos was a guest for the Liverpool game.

The last time he visited the Etihad, Abu Dhabi gave Real £400m to renovate the Bernebeu.

If Sergio is leaving, then he's already boxed-off and we are acting accordingly with his replacement.

 

[BAB.DAB]

Good post. Deals of such a nature are done through relationships and access.

Real Madrid are probably the only club in the world who don't have anything against us.

It could also be pertinent that Perez was in Monaco for our game and that King Juan Carlos was a guest for the Liverpool game.

The last time he visited the Etihad, Abu Dhabi gave Real £400m to renovate the Bernebeu.

If Sergio is leaving, then he's already boxed-off and we are acting accordingly with his replacement.

Every meeting has a reason?

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Every meeting has a reason?

Certainly when you have custodians such as ours.

 

[BillyShears]

Good post. Deals of such a nature are done through relationships and access.

Real Madrid are probably the only club in the world who don't have anything against us.

It could also be pertinent that Perez was in Monaco for our game and that King Juan Carlos was a guest for the Liverpool game.

The last time he visited the Etihad, Abu Dhabi gave Real £400m to renovate the Bernebeu.

If Sergio is leaving, then he's already boxed-off and we are acting accordingly with his replacement.

I'm not as convinced as you that the lay of the land has already been established vis a vis Kun. I suspect that there's a reluctance on both Pep's part and on Aguero's part to commit one way or the other to going or staying.

I think it may be a similar scenario at Madrid in that I don't see them necessarily being ready to commit to Aguero without knowing the lay of the land with regards to the rest of their summer targets + Mbappe and Zidane have history. I can fully see a scenario where ZZ demands Mbappe over Kun on the basis he's younger, hungrier, and he knows him.

A lot is still on the table so to speak IMO. Nobody is going to know which hand to play next until the CL latter stages become clearer and the respective domestic season's come closer to a close.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I'm not as convinced as you that the lay of the land has already been established vis a vis Kun. I suspect that there's a reluctance on both Pep's part and on Aguero's part to commit one way or the other to going or staying.

I think it may be a similar scenario at Madrid in that I don't see them necessarily being ready to commit to Aguero without knowing the lay of the land with regards to the rest of their summer targets + Mbappe and Zidane have history. I can fully see a scenario where ZZ demands Mbappe over Kun on the basis he's younger, hungrier, and he knows him.

A lot is still on the table so to speak IMO. Nobody is going to know which hand to play next until the CL latter stages become clearer and the respective domestic season's come closer to a close.

All plausible, although it does appear Real are more inclined to indulge Zidane's love of Hazard.

 

[City_Sean]

I think this summer will be more complicated than last summer in some respects and less complicated in some. I think for sure there'll be MUCH more competition for players than there was last summer. In England Chelsea will be much more competitive than last summer, and United will be as competitive. The contractual situations of several players at Arsenal means it could be a summer where they are more active than normal in the market place. If Liverpool get CL football they will almost certainly try and operate at that level for a deal or two.

Outside England, the big issue is that Madrid no longer have a transfer ban and having not spent much of anything in a couple of season's they'll be desperate to land a marquee if not two marquee players. Barcelona with a new manager incoming will also want to spend although the number of players they can spend on will be limited. Juventus and Bayern I think are less of a threat because i don't see them as being in the market for an Mbappe type simply because of the costs involved. However you would never completely rule either club out of trying to sign any player. They are the top clubs in their respective leagues after all!

What will make things less complicated is the lack of an international tournament this summer. It means that I expect players will be ready to decide their futures almost as soon as the season. Hopefully that means there'll be fewer protracted transfer sagas that City are involved in. Whatever happens it's a big summer for not just City but almost all the top clubs across Europe with the exception of Juve/Bayern.

I think the competition for players will be as it's always been. What's vitally important is that we get our deals over the line quickly. The Euros hampered us hugely last summer, and it's of paramount importance that the new players have as much Pep time as possible.

I've been looking over the squad, and despite Peps insistence that over ten players won't leave, I'm adamant they will:

Hart, Bravo, Sagna, Zaba, Mangala, Vinny, Clichy, Yaya, Nasri, Navas, Nolito, Bony and Kun could all go. Obviously I assume everyone at the club already knows who's going and staying, and it's ironing out details to transfer some of the contracted players.

What I'm hoping for to an extent is the likes of Bony will even have suitors lined up, the new PL money means even the likes of West Brom can easily splurge £30m on a player.

 

[Akiva]

I think Real will cough up for Hazard and Sergio - that's thick end of £200m right there and completely fits the profile of established superstars with the looks and pedigree to go straight in to the team.

Fits their MO, for sure. Don't know about Hazard, but I feel it's either Real or Atleti for Kun with PSG a potential outlier. If he leaves, that is.

Successors to Modric/Benzema certainly would be essential for Zidane to acquire this summer, particularly if Morata and Isco move on.

When it comes to Mbappe, he won't get a guaranteed starter slot at any top club.

I suspect our main rivals for his signature will come from United and Chelsea.

You'd have to imagine if we are able to match the rival offers, and let's face it - the rags will be one of them, then the Pep factor would be a difference maker. Few would sign for the rags simply to play under Mourinho, but already it's made a difference for us having Guardiola in getting Jesus.

I have to ask though, if we are in for Mbappe then where does that leave our reported interest in many others in their squad (such as Fabinho, for example)?

I'm not as convinced as you that the lay of the land has already been established vis a vis Kun. I suspect that there's a reluctance on both Pep's part and on Aguero's part to commit one way or the other to going or staying.

I think it may be a similar scenario at Madrid in that I don't see them necessarily being ready to commit to Aguero without knowing the lay of the land with regards to the rest of their summer targets + Mbappe and Zidane have history. I can fully see a scenario where ZZ demands Mbappe over Kun on the basis he's younger, hungrier, and he knows him.

A lot is still on the table so to speak IMO. Nobody is going to know which hand to play next until the CL latter stages become clearer and the respective domestic season's come closer to a close.

While that may be so for Zidane, los blancos generally maintain a persona of signing established "galacticos", rather than gambling on younger talent. Letting another team get Mbappe then haul him in at 25 would be more their style.

Still, as for Aguero, it seems to me that neither player, nor club, nor manager are happy with the status quo. Kun isn't doing the business reliably and if Gabriel Jesus were fit he wouldn't be starting, that's just a fact. Yet he's too good to be benched for anyone and can walk into any other starting XI. That's a big reason that makes me feel he could leave at the end of the season.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Fits their MO, for sure. Don't know about Hazard, but I feel it's either Real or Atleti for Kun with PSG a potential outlier. If he leaves, that is.

Successors to Modric/Benzema certainly would be essential for Zidane to acquire this summer, particularly if Morata and Isco move on.



You'd have to imagine if we are able to match the rival offers, and let's face it - the rags will be one of them, then the Pep factor would be a difference maker. Few would sign for the rags simply to play under Mourinho, but already it's made a difference for us having Guardiola in getting Jesus.

I have to ask though, if we are in for Mbappe then where does that leave our reported interest in many others in their squad (such as Fabinho, for example)?



While that may be so for Zidane, los blancos generally maintain a persona of signing established "galacticos", rather than gambling on younger talent. Letting another team get Mbappe then haul him in at 25 would be more their style.

Still, as for Aguero, it seems to me that neither player, nor club, nor manager are happy with the status quo. Kun isn't doing the business reliably and if Gabriel Jesus were fit he wouldn't be starting, that's just a fact. Yet he's too good to be benched for anyone and can walk into any other starting XI. That's a big reason that makes me feel he could leave at the end of the season.

Mbappe does not impact on any other player we also wish to sign from Monaco.

Bakayoko to Chelsea, it would appear.

Monaco are open for business.

I would take £55-60m plus Isco for Sergio, simply because it serves two purposes?

Isco solves a longer term problem we will have when Silva eventually declines/Yaya leaves.

And means Mbappe effectively costs us £20m.

 

[BAB.DAB]

I'm not as convinced as you that the lay of the land has already been established vis a vis Kun. I suspect that there's a reluctance on both Pep's part and on Aguero's part to commit one way or the other to going or staying.

I think it may be a similar scenario at Madrid in that I don't see them necessarily being ready to commit to Aguero without knowing the lay of the land with regards to the rest of their summer targets + Mbappe and Zidane have history. I can fully see a scenario where ZZ demands Mbappe over Kun on the basis he's younger, hungrier, and he knows him.

A lot is still on the table so to speak IMO. Nobody is going to know which hand to play next until the CL latter stages become clearer and the respective domestic season's come closer to a close.

Golden rule of the transfer window
It's not done till it's done

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Golden rule of the transfer window
It's not done till it's done

Unless it's Real Madrid or they don't turn the fax machine on!

 

[BillyShears]

Mbappe does not impact on any other player we also wish to sign from Monaco.

Bakayoko to Chelsea, it would appear.

Monaco are open for business.

I would take £55-60m plus Isco for Sergio, simply because it serves two purposes?

Isco solves a longer term problem we will have when Silva eventually declines/Yaya leaves.

And means Mbappe effectively costs us £20m.

Roman's not going to let Hazard leave this summer regardless of the offers on the table according to Belgian news site which has good contacts within the Hazard camp and within Chelsea. Roman wants to invest 200 million to have a crack at the CL next season. Can see that being the case. If they don't get Hazard then I think Kun going there will become MUCH more likely as they will want to mitigate that snub.