Would love Sanchez at the club, but I echo the sentiments of others when I'm not sure if it should be at the expense of Sergio. Would love to see them compliment each other with the younger lads pushing them all the way for game time. Theres room for Sterling, Sane, Jesus, Sergio and Sanchez in that forward line if you plan on fighting on all 4 fronts next season.
Knowing our luck we'll have a couple of long term injuries in the squad next year anyway, we always do.
Do we have the money though? We need a minimum of 5 first team signings in other positions (centre half, two full backs, holding mid, keeper) before we even look at signing any attackers.Not if you have the money & assume the selling club will sqander most of the money of a bunch of fannys.
I don't know if Sanchez is true or not, but if it is, it could be as much a tactical signing, stopping Arse, rags etc from having him, as us desperately needing him.
We have options such as Jesus, Unal & should not forget Iheanacho. If those 3 are at City next season I'd be surprised if they don't have a shedload of goals by the end of it & we have kids like Sancho on the fringe, for wide positions. Not forgetting Moreno or Zinchenko.
We took players off Arsenal & prevented others going to the swamp in the past, & prior to that, weakened Everton, Villa etc when we were chasing top 6 & it worked in all cases. Strengthened us, weakened them.
This could be a similar idea.
Fair enough - though I am curious if there is value in the idea of letting go of the idea of starting players/backups and just saying that they are all part of the same squad. To say that some are backups suggests that 'you' almost want for these players to be of a lesser quality - and perhaps that mentality has shown through this season - in terms of attacking/creative play - when playing some of the weaker teams this season? In addition, might having 5 starting quality players give more flexibility in terms of tactics but also managing rest, injuries, suspensions and training schedules - allowing a greater consistency in peak performance?8 starting players for 6 positions with backups and youth players getting the remaining slack work.
As is that would be Aguero, Sane Sterling and Gabriel. About games 60 games. I expect all 4 to start btw 35 -42 games a piece in average. And youth players pick up the rest of the unused starts.
This by the way is the norm at almost every club. So I'm not saying anything unique here. Injury might cause you some problems but that's why you role with Multi-positional
players. Debryune counts as a midfielder, bit he can play striker or winger if needed. Silva can drop into DM, so can Gundogan. If there is a shortage or rash of injuries at CM, Zichenko a backup LB can step into the AM role. Stones or Laporte can play DM also. Karsdorp cam play RM or RW or RB or DM.
I am particularly conversant of these possibilities when I suggest how we should go with our choices.
Moraes, Bravo, Gunn
Hernandez, Zichenko
Karsdop, Maffeo
Stones, Otamendi/Laporte, Kolarov
Silva, Debryune, Gundogan, Fernandihno, Llorente, Delph
(Sanchez or Aguero), Sterling, Sane, Jesus, Roberts.
That will be my squad.
Great post.
I'm sure some of the shiny new toy brigade on here would snap your hand off for that.
Yes. You are right, there is value in doing that. I often use the word "backup" as a place holder for youth players just breaking into the team or older players being phased out.Fair enough - though I am curious if there is value in the idea of letting go of the idea of starting players/backups and just saying that they are all part of the same squad. To say that some are backups suggests that 'you' almost want for these players to be of a lesser quality - and perhaps that mentality has shown through this season - in terms of attacking/creative play - when playing some of the weaker teams this season? In addition, might having 5 starting quality players give more flexibility in terms of tactics but also managing rest, injuries, suspensions and training schedules - allowing a greater consistency in peak performance?
Nah, not with Hazard bound for Spain, and the thug Costa to China.I can see this being a sort of tactical signing as well.
If we don't get him I reckon Chelsea or maybe even United will get him.
Chelsea is the main threat. For them to add Sanchez on top of what they already have, next season will be even tougher.
Yes. You are right, there is value in doing that. I often use the word "backup" as a place holder for youth players just breaking into the team or older players being phased out.
I generally expect all our players to be of very good footballing quality. At least I hope they are. :)
No "shiny toy brigader" wants the old man. Not because he isn't a good striker, but because we are not looking for a good striker. We instead are looking for a good forward.so so so true..im glad it appears that way to at least some one else as well
Some would disagree with you. Aleks Kolarov has been regularly called “shit” on this forum, despite three managers having kept faith with him for nearly seven years. None of them are clowns, the most recent one is generally considered to be the best manager in the world. Strange, isn't it?
Back on topic, I think Sanchez is a phenomenal player, but if it's at the cost of Sergio going, well, no, not really.
Plenty are assuming Sergio wants to stay.
It's his decision, knowing he faces extra competition next season.
He owes us nothing.
And if Sergio decides he does want to stay, even if it means extra competition and more time on the bench than he's used to....what about Sanchez then?
Plenty are assuming Sergio wants to stay.
It's his decision, knowing he faces extra competition next season.
He owes us nothing.
Are those numbers guaranteed or just used to further your argument? What about somebody who's going to hit 30 goals+ this season, that sounds reasonable. It's not like we haven't got plenty of players who can move around the front three. A specialised goalscorer should be part of every squad, especially one who's given City all that Aguero has.No "shiny toy brigader" wants the old man. Not because he isn't a good striker, but because we are not looking for a good striker. We instead are looking for a good forward.
You know, the kinda guy that can play striker if need be, can play behind the striker or out on either wing, understands Peps system, and would give you 20 goals and 10 assists every season.
So you are not getting value just from his goals but also his contribution to the creation of goals for others. The excitinment about adding a player like Sanchez has little to do with "shiny toys" and more to do with prtactical utility of such an addition.
Then we get another world class player, who wants to join, regardless.
I suspect, however, we have known for a while that Sergio is preparing to move on.