Mangala had most of those attributes and look on how that turned out. The League we play in will easily expose Koulibaly's weaknesses as well as it did Mangala's. Mangala could actually pass as well (I am not joking here).
Mangala could indeed pass- Sane’s goal at the Albion is a classic example- but he also took too long to decide what to do and where to move after the pass. His problem was alas upstairs not downstairs.
We will concede goals with Koulibaly, no doubt, but there isn’t one central defender we’ve had who wasn’t without flaw, and all players’ weaknesses are exposed in the top leagues.
By big game mentality, do you mean Champions League QF or SF?Completely agree with you on the other player points- still think Angelino should be recalled- but think you underplay the one thing Koulibaly has over Upemecano, experience. I think we set out to get him knowing that Otamendi and Stones were leaving and that Fernandinho’s days were numbered. That is a phenomenal number of years to lose in quick succession. Even with Ake in the bag we needed someone with a big game mentality on the right of Laporte and a player who could see us over the next 3-4 seasons.
Koulibaly will get less time than he had at Serie A so is he that cool under pressure? That is my biggest doubt with him.
By big game mentality, do you mean Champions League QF or SF?
And Upemecano has a year of Fernandinho being able to play half the season against the crap opposition who play 5-4-1, or even Stones filling in occasionally if we keep him.
Even Ake can play RCB, so it’s not that we lack bodies, it’s that when Laporte went down, we were trying juggle players to wedge someone into LCB. Ake fills that hole.
We will see how it plays out, but hate giving Napoli big big money for a 29 yr old (smacks of the old days of Fowler and McPointy), Khoulibaly had nightmare in his last game, and Upemecano shone.
He’s played Champions League consistently for the last 5 years. Ake has no such experience and Garcia precious little; they were the prospective understudies when we began negotiations.
All three of our central defenders had nightmares the other night, against a moderate attack, and Stones couldn’t even get on the pitch ahead of a kid that wants to leave and a 35 year old converted midfielder. If Laporte goes down again, we need Ake to cover him, and Fernandinho’s days are rapidly coming to a close.
Upemecano had a fine game the other night but consistently gives fouls away in the Bundesliga (remember how we used to get punished from free kicks?) and when he does dive in and get turned, it makes Otamendi look composed.
It’s not my money, so I don’t care if it goes to De Laurentiis or RBL, but if the management think Koulibaly is their man, I’ll back him.
Koulibaly will get less time than he had at Serie A so is he that cool under pressure? That is my biggest doubt with him.
Chelsea are carrying a huge loss from 2019 of £96m. They made £60m profit in 2018 so they'll have to break even, certainly avoid a big loss, over the next 2-year period
Mangala could indeed pass- Sane’s goal at the Albion is a classic example- but he also took too long to decide what to do and where to move after the pass. His problem was alas upstairs not downstairs.
We will concede goals with Koulibaly, no doubt, but there isn’t one central defender we’ve had who wasn’t without flaw, and all players’ weaknesses are exposed in the top leagues.
He’s not alone in that regard. Often wish the owners would tell the manager, ‘tough, you’ve got him so use him’ and the managers relay a ‘support him’ message to the fans. God, I’m naive. :-(Mangala was a better player than the one we saw... for much of his time with us his confidence was shattered... no wonder he dithered. We paid him well but fucked his career.
Mangala was a better player than the one we saw... for much of his time with us his confidence was shattered... no wonder he dithered. We paid him well but fucked his career.
I think this is why people are somewhat clamouring for Upamecano. He played like one should in ‘City’s system’. No clue what choice the club will make but whatever it is, I’ll live with and support the lads the best I can.
Every player gets less time in England than other continental leagues, but he has it upstairs and is used to playing under smart coaches, so in that regard I have fewer worries.
I will back him if he signs for us and I geniunely hope to be proven wrong
We’ve no choice! I’ll get behind anyone in a City shirt, no problem, but we are just discussing potential and possibilities.He’s played Champions League consistently for the last 5 years. Ake has no such experience and Garcia precious little; they were the prospective understudies when we began negotiations.
All three of our central defenders had nightmares the other night, against a moderate attack, and Stones couldn’t even get on the pitch ahead of a kid that wants to leave and a 35 year old converted midfielder. If Laporte goes down again, we need Ake to cover him, and Fernandinho’s days are rapidly coming to a close.
Upemecano had a fine game the other night but consistently gives fouls away in the Bundesliga (remember how we used to get punished from free kicks?) and when he does dive in and get turned, it makes Otamendi look composed.
It’s not my money, so I don’t care if it goes to De Laurentiis or RBL, but if the management think Koulibaly is their man, I’ll back him.
Do you have misgivings about all our signings or just this one? :-)
The first thing i want City to change for next season is that ridiculously high line we play. I always say that if the opposition hit a ball over the top or play a pass through the middle, if the defence are standing in a straight line and the opposition attacker times his run perfectly, one ball can take the whole defence out of the game leaving the attacker bearing down on goal.
I really do think we need to tweak our tactics as they were absolutely suicidal against Lyon and have been on a number of occasions this season. Liverpool don't play such a high line like us, i don't see why we need to do the same. At least have one or even 2 defenders sitting 5-10 yards behind to sweep up anything that comes through the middle or over the top of our defence.
I do think Koulibaly is a very capable defender and will improve us, but it is up to Pep to make a few tweaks and not make us look so susceptible to being counter attacked.
Mangala and Koulibaly are worlds apart in terms of ability to play out the back.