Centre back options

The alderweireld rumour is the most exciting of the summer for me. He looked outstanding last year and I'd rather us land him than Sanchez as I think we have decent forward options already.
 
Dax777 said:
Chris Smalling... 15 million to replace Kolarov.
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Regarding your comment of a 'saviour centre half', no, Pep didn't use the word 'saviour' you did, but in the time he's been here & had people on this forum 'reading between the lines' & dissecting each thing he says, one of the clearest, most unambiguous things he's ever said, is regarding Kompany & us needing to sign a backup for him.

He made such a point of it, not just for now but under Pellegrini, that I would actually be insulted if I was a City cb who has played during that time. He even used the words 'proper defender'.

I don't know how much more clear a manager can be than that, under the circumstances.

So it isn't a group of people such as myself saying this, it's also Pep Guardiola. Take into account the fact the thinly guarded secret we were sniffing around two centre backs last season & I can't think why you, or anyone else, would repeatedly state that it's just a few people on here who think we really need a cb.

It isn't. It's pretty much every ex player, manager, journo, fan of another club, many City fans & our manager who have said it, many of them say it pretty much every time City are mentioned.

Some itk on here says were not in for one & everyone who thinks the back 2 are ok, jumps on that as gospel. Then we get a load of rumours we are in for a cb. And that suddenly becomes 'yes we are but it's not a priority'.

Pep says he wants a cb who is proper backup for Kompany.

If one is available, I'm pretty sure we'll sign him.

If not, we won't sign any old player, we have Tosin Mangala & Denayer already on the books. We will only sign the right bloke, or nothing.

In that case Pep will say how happy he is with the ones we've got, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, you can say 'see I was right' & Txiki will secretly try to get one for winter or next year.

Meanwhile the Prem will be somewhat relieved that we still have a huge potential Achilles heel & won't necessarily run away with the league.
 
Neville Kneville said:
Regarding your comment of a 'saviour centre half', no, Pep didn't use the word 'saviour' you did, but in the time he's been here & had people on this forum 'reading between the lines' & dissecting each thing he says, one of the clearest, most unambiguous things he's ever said, is regarding Kompany & us needing to sign a backup for him.

He made such a point of it, not just for now but under Pellegrini, that I would actually be insulted if I was a City cb who has played during that time. He even used the words 'proper defender'.

I don't know how much more clear a manager can be than that, under the circumstances.

So it isn't a group of people such as myself saying this, it's also Pep Guardiola. Take into account the fact the thinly guarded secret we were sniffing around two centre backs last season & I can't think why you, or anyone else, would repeatedly state that it's just a few people on here who think we really need a cb.

It isn't. It's pretty much every ex player, manager, journo, fan of another club, many City fans & our manager who have said it, many of them say it pretty much every time City are mentioned.

Some itk on here says were not in for one & everyone who thinks the back 2 are ok, jumps on that as gospel. Then we get a load of rumours we are in for a cb. And that suddenly becomes 'yes we are but it's not a priority'.

Pep says he wants a cb who is proper backup for Kompany.

If one is available, I'm pretty sure we'll sign him.

If not, we won't sign any old player, we have Tosin Mangala & Denayer already on the books. We will only sign the right bloke, or nothing.

In that case Pep will say how happy he is with the ones we've got, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, you can say 'see I was right' & Txiki will secretly try to get one for winter or next year.

Meanwhile the Prem will be somewhat relieved that we still have a huge potential Achilles heel & won't necessarily run away with the league.
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I'd say that pretty much sums it up
 
Neville Kneville said:
Regarding your comment of a 'saviour centre half', no, Pep didn't use the word 'saviour' you did, but in the time he's been here & had people on this forum 'reading between the lines' & dissecting each thing he says, one of the clearest, most unambiguous things he's ever said, is regarding Kompany & us needing to sign a backup for him.

He made such a point of it, not just for now but under Pellegrini, that I would actually be insulted if I was a City cb who has played during that time. He even used the words 'proper defender'.

I don't know how much more clear a manager can be than that, under the circumstances.

So it isn't a group of people such as myself saying this, it's also Pep Guardiola. Take into account the fact the thinly guarded secret we were sniffing around two centre backs last season & I can't think why you, or anyone else, would repeatedly state that it's just a few people on here who think we really need a cb.

It isn't. It's pretty much every ex player, manager, journo, fan of another club, many City fans & our manager who have said it, many of them say it pretty much every time City are mentioned.

Some itk on here says were not in for one & everyone who thinks the back 2 are ok, jumps on that as gospel. Then we get a load of rumours we are in for a cb. And that suddenly becomes 'yes we are but it's not a priority'.

Pep says he wants a cb who is proper backup for Kompany.

If one is available, I'm pretty sure we'll sign him.

If not, we won't sign any old player, we have Tosin Mangala & Denayer already on the books. We will only sign the right bloke, or nothing.

In that case Pep will say how happy he is with the ones we've got, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, you can say 'see I was right' & Txiki will secretly try to get one for winter or next year.

Meanwhile the Prem will be somewhat relieved that we still have a huge potential Achilles heel & won't necessarily run away with the league.
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Yes, Pep said we have to cover our backs, if he (Kompany) goes down. He also discussed us not having enough quality in both boxes. Then gives an example of players. with great qualities - 'Otamendi and Kompany' quality Centerbacks he calls them. "They win duels." He said. On other occasions he has also spoken glowingly of the quality of John Stonrs. Once or 2ice early in the season he also lauded Kolarov. Pep consistently spoke glowingly about the CBs but no other position on defense.

His rant about lacking quality in both boxes, was an indictment on our goalie and offense if you pay careful attention. As he said it while pointing out we give up so few chances but concede too much.

Yes, the Kompany backup comment supports what you and the English punditry believe. But it was a way of saying he wasn't confident Kompany was out of the woods yet. I didn't take it as him being literal about buying. I rank our weakest to strongest positions as follows:
LB,RB,GK,DM,WF,ST,CB,AM

In terms of depth and strenght. Only the core of David Silva, Debryune and Gundogan were stronger than our CB core.And yet our first signing was at AM/WF. Which is quintessential counterintuitive Pep smart thinking. Pep doubled down on our strongest posituon. Sure, If we could get Hummels, or Varane of course this would be great and probably another example of doubling down on strengths.

But the notion that CB is our weak spot simply isn't backed by the body of comments by Pep on the issue of our squad. Not just single instances, but the whole. it Isn't backed by how few chances we concede. It Isn't backed by how every statistical measure rates both Ota and Kompany highly, and Stones and Kolarov above average.

Can we get better at CB? Yes. Is it a glaring weakness that is most key. No. Not by a long shot. And the totality of Pep's musings on the issue backs that up.
 
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Dax777 said:
Yes, Pep said we have to cover our backs, if he (Kompany) goes down. He also discussed us not having enough quality in both boxes. Then gives an example of players. with great qualities - 'Otamendi and Kompany' quality Centerbacks he calls them. "They win duels." He said. On other occasions he has also spoken glowingly of the quality of John Stonrs. Once or 2ice early in the season he also lauded Kolarov. Pep consistently spoke glowingly about the CBs but no other position on defense.
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Maybe, just maybe, his comments were aimed at the centre backs we have, you know, to give them a manager boost. Install a bit of confidence into them. No one likes to be told that their position could do with an improvement.

The truth of the matter is, we were weak in the whole of defence last season including goalie. The full backs were either too inconsistent, injured or not adapting well to what Pep wants from them. The defence looked a lot better when Kompany returned at the back end of the season. This might have had something to do with Pep's words and them getting used to his ways but it also shows that without our captain's organisation skills and leadership qualities we were worse off.

Could we survive another season with an injury prone leader, 2 other central defenders and a fill in? Maybe. Should we if a player comes along that fits the bill? No.
 
Lancet Fluke said:
Just out of interest, if Kompany goes down with a long term injury where would CB be on your list?
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It's a bit of an ambiguous question you are asking. So let me flesh it out and then answer it:

If we get all our targets barring the mystery CB. Say Ederson, Silva, Walker, Alves, Mendy, Bertrand, and Sanchez

And assuming all of the acquisitions are fairly successful in transitioning to our style and thus our able to perform at close to their peaks

What would be my ranking of CBs, If Kompany went down?

CB will fall to the weakest link.
 
bondsman said:
The alderweireld rumour is the most exciting of the summer for me. He looked outstanding last year and I'd rather us land him than Sanchez as I think we have decent forward options already.
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Spurs are already playing hard ball over Walker. Can't see this as credible.
 
BimboBob said:
Maybe, just maybe, his comments were aimed at the centre backs we have, you know, to give them a manager boost. Install a bit of confidence into them. No one likes to be told that their position could do with an improvement.

The truth of the matter is, we were weak in the whole of defence last season including goalie. The full backs were either too inconsistent, injured or not adapting well to what Pep wants from them. The defence looked a lot better when Kompany returned at the back end of the season. This might have had something to do with Pep's words and them getting used to his ways but it also shows that without our captain's organisation skills and leadership qualities we were worse off.

Could we survive another season with an injury prone leader, 2 other central defenders and a fill in? Maybe. Should we if a player comes along that fits the bill? No.
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As you can see, in not opposed to acquiring a CB, in just not of the belief that its the weak link.

Yes our defense was better with Kompany. Because Kompany is a very good footballer. But last year the strongest part of that weak defense was CB. Even without Kompany.

So when people say what we 'need' is a CB. I correct them by saying the facts suggests of greater needs are GK, LB, RB, and then Forward or more generally 'finishing' which could apply to more than just the forwards.
 
Pablo1 said:
You should be banned for that. :-)
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Lol. I swear I've always liked him but couldn't say it coz he was a rag. I think he has a few errors in him but he is a very good athlete and ball possessor. Has good recovery speed. And he is a Kompany like menace in the opponents box on corners.

I'll certainly take him over Marvin's Sahko...Yuk! :)
 
Cotton Weave Blue said:
Isnt Mangala the same player??
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Sakho plays as if he's measuring every pass.

I want to believe in the secret cb but not sure I do. A scenario could be that we have a deal in place with a club but that club needs to get in a replacement?

It's possible City have good reason to think Kompany is over the worst, or that Tosin is ready, but we hardly gave him a game last season. For me centre back was one of the positions I really thought City would prioritise - maybe we have and we just don't know it yet, or maybe Pep thinks we've already got it covered. All the same can't help but have doubts about this position.
 
Dax777 said:
Lol. I swear I've always liked him but couldn't say it coz he was a rag. I think he has a few errors in him but he is a very good athlete and ball possessor. Has good recovery speed. And he is a Kompany like menace in the opponents box on corners.

I'll certainly take him over Marvin's Sahko...Yuk! :)
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His form has dropped off a cliff over the last 18 months. Talk to any reds and they would be ecstatic to offload him to us for 15m.
 
Dax777 said:
In terms of depth and strenght. Only the core of David Silva, Debryune and Gundogan were stronger than our CB core.And yet our first signing was at AM/WF. Which is quintessential counterintuitive Pep smart thinking. Pep doubled down on our strongest posituon. Sure, If we could get Hummels, or Varane of course this would be great and probably another example of doubling down on strengths
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Bad example. AM/CM was our most glaring weakness after Gundogan's injury as we had only one player fitting the demands (D.Silva), I've been writing about it for months. B.Silva is the most important transfer of this summer as he'll allow us to get total pressing and proper control back. No offence, but Pep's [very straight] thinking doesn't become counterintuitive just because you don't understand the basics of his game. Don't invent things, please.
 
Dax777 said:
Lol. I swear I've always liked him but couldn't say it coz he was a rag. I think he has a few errors in him but he is a very good athlete and ball possessor. Has good recovery speed. And he is a Kompany like menace in the opponents box on corners.

I'll certainly take him over Marvin's Sahko...Yuk! :)
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No, I wasn't being serious. I think he had a good season for palace. He's an effective defender. I'd prefer him over Stones in the short term though. Stones really needs to get his act together this season. I can see he has got all attributes but he has to do it this season.
 
Marvin said:
Sakho plays as if he's measuring every pass.

I want to believe in the secret cb but not sure I do. A scenario could be that we have a deal in place with a club but that club needs to get in a replacement?

It's possible City have good reason to think Kompany is over the worst, or that Tosin is ready, but we hardly gave him a game last season. For me centre back was one of the positions I really thought City would prioritise - maybe we have and we just don't know it yet, or maybe Pep thinks we've already got it covered. All the same can't help but have doubts about this position.
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Yeah I think **if** the secret CB is true its one of the 3 Juve back line. Apart from that theres nothing much better than what we have that a club will let go.
 
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