Think that would go for anyone that we bring in, as Aguero has another year. Why I think if we buy a forward we’ll buy a less established one that will be happy to bide their time for a season in which they might not even make the bench sometimes let alone be a first choice ahead of Aguero, Jesus, Sterling, Mahrez. That’s why I think somebody like Almada is more likely.agreed. I wonder why Werner allegedly turned us down? Game time I assume being the main one?
Think that would go for anyone that we bring in, as Aguero has another year. Why I think if we buy a forward we’ll buy a less established one that will be happy to bide their time for a season in which they might not even make the bench sometimes let alone be a first choice ahead of Aguero, Jesus, Sterling, Mahrez. That’s why I think somebody like Almada is more likely.
David Ornstein said on the Athletic podcast that he and Rafa Hoinigstein heard that he didn’t want to be a bit part player. And hoped he’d be the star. Which he would be at Chelsea. Plus they showed more desire.agreed. I wonder why Werner allegedly turned us down? Game time I assume being the main one?
David Ornstein said on the Athletic podcast that he and Rafa Hoinigstein heard that he didn’t want to be a bit part player. And hoped he’d be the star. Which he would be at Chelsea. Plus they showed more desire.
Very true. He doesn’t strike me as the arrogant type but as striker, you can’t blame him for wanting to be the “Aguero” of chelsea. And let’s face it, it’s a great move for all parties.and maybe this is why we didnt go for him - he wants "to be a star" - Pep and Txixi seem to go for players with personality of a team player regardless of ability - KDB being a case in point, David Silva another and even Aguero and sterling.
In some ways who’d want to be seen as Aguero’s replacement and compared to him, much better for a young emerging player to be seen as Jesus’s replacement and let Jesus be compared to Aguero, he’s used to it now anyway and has his own game established with us. You would need to be extremely confident to step into Aguero’s shirt. Can see the appeal of Chelsea who have struggled for a centre forward since Drogba.Very true. He doesn’t strike me as the arrogant type but as striker, you can’t blame him for wanting to be the “Aguero” of chelsea. And let’s face it, it’s a great move for all parties.
See this is where I question how well you know our system; we need a left footer on the left. I'm not saying that to be a cock by the way, so please don't be offended by that, I just don't know how else to say it.
Without the natural balance of a left footed at LCB our build-up play is slow and predictable, as well as making it very easy for opposition teams to shutdown our entire left hand side. A naturally right footed LCB can never be as comfortable playing out to the left, so the slightest bit of pressure on him will see him take the easy option. It also restricts the type of pass, you can't ping one into a wingers running path without a bigger risk of interception because the natural curl on the ball will be the wrong way to what you want, it'll always go inside (middle of the pitch) to out (touchline), instead of arching down the touchline side which is safer and less likely to be intercepted so allows more risky attempts.
It sounds over the top but I know someone who did his coaching badges not too long ago and we got onto the topic when Laporte was out and he explained it, in more detail than I wanted to hear but when you watch us it makes sense and you actually see it a couple of times a game.
In some ways who’d want to be seen as Aguero’s replacement and compared to him, much better for a young emerging player to be seen as Jesus’s replacement and let Jesus be compared to Aguero, he’s used to it now anyway and has his own game established with us. You would need to be extremely confident to step into Aguero’s shirt. Can see the appeal of Chelsea who have struggled for a centre forward since Drogba.
For me it would be Ake, especially if Bournemouth need a quick sale to generate money. Right sided CB would be a straight fight between Stones, Garcia and Adaradiayo. Worst comes to worst we've got Fernandinho who we know can more than do the job in the short term, if none of those three take their chance.Do not stress about me getting the hump i value other points of view, my choice of Upamecano is because he was capable of playing left and right , which were the reason we went after Maguire, that may not be the case now, a lot of people want a replacement for Stones, i do not, i want someone to back up Stones with the view to replacing him once bedded in, but getting someone in on the left is a problem, no one of top quality is going to come to City to play back up to Laporte, if we are going to buy two CD`s i would go for Dan Burn not top quality he would be cheap, experienced, can play LB would be good in a back 3 with Laporte in the middle, When Otamendi leaves we will have no one who can play LCB to any standard apart from Laporte
I can see Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all offering Aké a starting spot whereas here he'd solely be a Laporte backup that only gets a few games here and there. It wouldn't make sense for him to come here when he's got the quality to start evey week for big teams. As for RCB I don't agree at all but you must already know that by nowFor me it would be Ake, especially if Bournemouth need a quick sale to generate money. Right sided CB would be a straight fight between Stones, Garcia and Adaradiayo. Worst comes to worst we've got Fernandinho who we know can more than do the job in the short term, if none of those three take their chance.
He may not want to come, if that's the case, we simply look elsewhere. We're not desperate for anyone, however with Laporte's injury last year and the side effect (e.g. Mendy's reoccurring niggles) of that injury, that's where I'd like to see us add some depth to the squad.I can see Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all offering Aké a starting spot whereas here he'd solely be a Laporte backup that only gets a few games here and there. It wouldn't make sense for him to come here when he's got the quality to start evey week for big teams. As for RCB I don't agree at all but you must already know that by now
I mean we still haven't replaced Kompany as a starting top quality RCB. In my opinion we should buy someone like Koulibaly who still got a couple years left at world class level, Stones as a backup, E. Garcia to take over Otamendi's minutes, THB to take over E. Garcia's minutes. I'd still like to see how Tosin reacts to PL football so maybe a loan to a lower half PL club and then evaluate after the season. If Stones doesn't improve and Tosin has come good for the loan team we could easily replace Stones with Tosin. Fernandinho of course available for both CB positions and CDM, offers security, leadership and experience. It would make sense both short term and long term to do something along those lines. Best CB pairing in world football for a couple of years while Koulibaly's age and experience allows our youngsters room to growHe may not want to come, if that's the case, we simply look elsewhere. We're not desperate for anyone, however with Laporte's injury last year and the side effect (e.g. Mendy's reoccurring niggles) of that injury, that's where I'd like to see us add some depth to the squad.
Yeah we'll agree to disagree on the right sided CB position, I just think it's buying for buying sake as we already have 6, although I expect a couple to leave.
You say Fernandinho offers security, leadership and experience; I'd say that's the perfect blend to help the likes of Stones, Garcia and Adaradiayo prosper and develop into the long term partner for Laporte.I mean we still haven't replaced Kompany as a starting top quality RCB. In my opinion we should buy someone like Koulibaly who still got a couple years left at world class level, Stones as a backup, E. Garcia to take over Otamendi's minutes, THB to take over E. Garcia's minutes. I'd still like to see how Tosin reacts to PL football so maybe a loan to a lower half PL club and then evaluate after the season. If Stones doesn't improve and Tosin has come good for the loan team we could easily replace Stones with Tosin. Fernandinho of course available for both CB positions and CDM, offers security, leadership and experience. It would make sense both short term and long term to do something along those lines. Best CB pairing in world football for a couple of years while Koulibaly's age and experience allows our youngsters room to grow
Laporte and Fern has struggled together (looked very shaky against Leicester and there must be a reason Pep doesn't play them together) so there's that. Koulibaly's injury record is very solid for his age. https://www.transfermarkt.com/kalidou-koulibaly/verletzungen/spieler/93128You say Fernandinho offers security, leadership and experience; I'd say that's the perfect blend to help the likes of Stones, Garcia and Adaradiayo prosper and develop into the long term partner for Laporte.
Koulibaly can only be world class when he's on the pitch too, unfortunately that's not very often recently. I certainly don't think spending £80m plus (it's Napoli), is a wise decision. It's a humongous risk which could potentially cripple us with FFP restrictions when we've got Aguero more than likely leaving at the end of next season, combined with what will probably end up being a low fee/free transfer of Sane who we may very well need to replace, plus Fernandinho, plus a lack of depth at LCB and left back.
I have no real opinion on who we should buy, don't know enough about players playing in other leagues. But if Skriniar isn't good enough now on the ball 25 is too old to start becoming good enough on the ball in a Pep team.Laporte and Fern has struggled together (looked very shaky against Leicester and there must be a reason Pep doesn't play them together) so there's that. Koulibaly's injury record is very solid for his age. https://www.transfermarkt.com/kalidou-koulibaly/verletzungen/spieler/93128
We could use someone like Skriniar as well if Napoli play hardball. Similar physicality and assured defence but more of a hothead and not as good on the ball, he's younger though so more room for growth
I have no real opinion on who we should buy, don't know enough about players playing in other leagues. But if Skriniar isn't good enough now on the ball 25 is too old to start becoming good enough on the ball in a Pep team.
The annoying thing is I think Stones has all the attributes and I thought he'd become a great player under Pep, seems though he hasn't got the mentality for it kept expecting him to come good but given up on him myself now.Otamendi improved for a season under Pep - but yeah ultimately I think you're right.
I'd love Nathan Ake but Chelsea will almost certainly buy him back.
I'm like you got no idea who we will end up targeting. I think CB is a tough position to buy for in a Pep team.