Frenkie de Jong

[Asa's left peg]

Gundo is already working on his Badges, so that tells you he's be transitioning soon. Kev is in his 30s too. So yeah, this would be a great signing.

Sorry Dax - I can't let that go - Gundy transitioning! It will never work.

 

[Keeper!]

Gundo is already working on his Badges, so that tells you he's be transitioning soon. Kev is in his 30s too. So yeah, this would be a great signing.

After 2 serious knee injuries and a major back operation it's incredible the level Gundo has got back to, shows what a top man and player we have.

But if FDJ is available and at some of the prices quoted I would hope the club will go all out for him.

 

[kun]

After 2 serious knee injuries and a major back operation it's incredible the level Gundo has got back to, shows what a top man and player we have.

But if FDJ is available and at some of the prices quoted I would hope the club will go all out for him.

His injury record also explains why he’s taking his badges. It absolutely does not mean he’s planning on retiring any time soon.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Jorginho’s contract is up next summer. Might be thinking ahead.

Wow, that seemed to go quick.

Jorginho and quick in the same sentence, something I never thought I would see!

 

[domalino]

De jong would want to start every game and he isn't going to do that at city. He would walk into any of the other teams starting line up. I see us getting denis or another backup for cdm, and we probably won't touch the midfield again for a few more seasons

I'm not sure anyone can say that with any degree of certainty. If Pep has proved anything during his tenure, it is that he can take a squad full of internationals and keep them relatively happy despite there being no guarantee of a regular start for most.

World class players always think they will start every game because that is the mentality it takes to make it.

Then they get here and realise everyone is that good, and actually it's quite nice not being flogged to death, and having world class players around you, and winning stuff every year.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

A straight swap with Sterling this summer would be very good business, if Raheem doesn't pen his deal.

It's one of only three clubs who he would entertain and we know they have already asked about him.

 

[domalino]

If we win everything (Champions League really, but definitely the treble) I wouldn't be surprised to see a few players leave. Playing for Pep is bloody hard work, and burnout is natural for both coach and players, and I think the club would rather an early refresh than leaving it too late.

I would only expect 1 or 2 of these to materialise, but -

- Mahrez might get approached by PSG for that LW spot that's opening up or to replace Di Maria and for a born and bred Parisian that might appeal.

- Gundogan always seems like the kind of guy who would love moving to Milan, or Barcelona, or Turin for the culture.

-Gabby Jesus is sort of treading water now, the bright start on the RW has faded and Sterling is back ahead of him plus Mahrez, and Palmer is emerging. He might decide he needs a move to fulfil his potential.

- Bernardo might not have changed his mind.

- Sterling will stay IMO but can't leave him off a list like this until he's signed.

- Laporte could well ask to go if Stones and Dias reemerges as our first choice partnership in the business end of the season (which I think it will, maybe for another thread but I think Pep is doing the reverse of last year where he didn't play Laporte until he got happy and then weakened our defence in Feb-May by trying to fit him in).

- Cancelo might decide he wants to play on the right full time, and Real Madrid are expected to spend big on a RB this summer.



IMO Frenkie de Jong would be a signing to plug one of those gaps. I think Dybala could be one of those players as well, a free replacement for Jesus would be nice and straightforward if he did decide to leave.

I think this season might end up being the end of an era for Pep's City, pursuing a striker like Haaland or Kane will change the style of play a lot and other pieces will move around because of that. We won't be worse, just different.

 

[waspish]

A straight swap with Sterling this summer would be very good business, if Raheem doesn't pen his deal.

It's one of only three clubs who he would entertain and we know they have already asked about him.

Maybe Sterling wants to go back to London and if he runs his contract down he will have an option of Chelsea or Arsenal

 

[waspish]

If we win everything (Champions League really, but definitely the treble) I wouldn't be surprised to see a few players leave. Playing for Pep is bloody hard work, and burnout is natural for both coach and players, and I think the club would rather an early refresh than leaving it too late.

I would only expect 1 or 2 of these to materialise, but -

- Mahrez might get approached by PSG for that LW spot that's opening up or to replace Di Maria and for a born and bred Parisian that might appeal.

- Gundogan always seems like the kind of guy who would love moving to Milan, or Barcelona, or Turin for the culture.

-Gabby Jesus is sort of treading water now, the bright start on the RW has faded and Sterling is back ahead of him plus Mahrez, and Palmer is emerging. He might decide he needs a move to fulfil his potential.

- Bernardo might not have changed his mind.

- Sterling will stay IMO but can't leave him off a list like this until he's signed.

- Laporte could well ask to go if Stones and Dias reemerges as our first choice partnership in the business end of the season (which I think it will, maybe for another thread but I think Pep is doing the reverse of last year where he didn't play Laporte until he got happy and then weakened our defence in Feb-May by trying to fit him in).

- Cancelo might decide he wants to play on the right full time, and Real Madrid are expected to spend big on a RB this summer.



IMO Frenkie de Jong would be a signing to plug one of those gaps. I think Dybala could be one of those players as well, a free replacement for Jesus would be nice and straightforward if he did decide to leave.

I think this season might end up being the end of an era for Pep's City, pursuing a striker like Haaland or Kane will change the style of play a lot and other pieces will move around because of that. We won't be worse, just different.

Jesus swap for Declan Rice

 

[Jokithedruid]

Jesus swap for Declan Rice

Don’t think Jesus would entertain that.

 

[domalino]

Don’t think Jesus would entertain that.

Or Rice.

He needs to play every week because he and Kalvin Phillips are going to start getting competition from Gallagher, Skipp and Bellingham.

 

[TonyM]

Sorry Dax - I can't let that go - Gundy transitioning! It will never work.

He transitioned into a fine hunk of a man when he got that nose job.

 

[Kippaxpete]

A straight swap with Sterling this summer would be very good business, if Raheem doesn't pen his deal.

It's one of only three clubs who he would entertain and we know they have already asked about him.

With Raz's form uneven to say the least in recent seasons, I can see some sense in that should contract negotiations stall. An added bonus might be that we see more from our £100m man given perhaps greater freedom for him to roam as he did so effectively at Villa.

 

[Dax777]

Sorry Dax - I can't let that go - Gundy transitioning! It will never work.

Lol

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Maybe Sterling wants to go back to London and if he runs his contract down he will have an option of Chelsea or Arsenal

Yep, although for the life of me, I would consider that really small time, certainly Arsenal.

If he is so desperate to remain in England, you might as well stick it out at the best team this country has ever seen.

He's a long time retired. He can afford to live in Knightsbridge for the next forty years of it.

City must not let it get to that stage this summer, which is why I think we need to think smart if he wants to sit tight, at least give him Barca as an option, if it means doing a swap for FDJ.

At least it would be cost neutral and bring in a player who would be magnificent for us in the years to come.

FDJ can really only go to a handful of clubs outside of City, if we think realistically.

Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea and United.

I wouldn't want to see him at any of those, especially if we have someone Barca want and Sterling is tempted.

Why spend £100m on Declan Rice when FDJ is the far superior player and would require no real cash outlay?

 

[skillman]

Yep, although for the life of me, I would consider that really small time, certainly Arsenal.

If he is so desperate to remain in England, you might as well stick it out at the best team this country has ever seen.

He's a long time retired. He can afford to live in Knightsbridge for the next forty years of it.

City must not let it get to that stage this summer, which is why I think we need to think smart if he wants to sit tight, at least give him Barca as an option, if it means doing a swap for FDJ.

At least it would be cost neutral and bring in a player who would be magnificent for us in the years to come.

FDJ can really only go to a handful of clubs outside of City, if we think realistically.

Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea and United.

I wouldn't want to see him at any of those, especially if we have someone Barca want and Sterling is tempted.

Why spend £100m on Declan Rice when FDJ is the far superior player and would require no real cash outlay?

Exactly that. Rice is good, sure, but FDJ is seemingly available for much cheaper and is a perfect fit for this team. Plus he's not got that English premium nor is he at a club who are likely to play hard ball like West Ham are.

Rice will probably move but West Ham will make sure it's a massive amount they get. I'd rather avoid all that bollocks and head to a bloke unhappy in Barcelona, that we've obviously liked for years and would be willing to come given his comments on the Premier League in recent years.

 

[Centurions]

If we win everything (Champions League really, but definitely the treble) I wouldn't be surprised to see a few players leave. Playing for Pep is bloody hard work, and burnout is natural for both coach and players, and I think the club would rather an early refresh than leaving it too late.

I would only expect 1 or 2 of these to materialise, but -

- Mahrez might get approached by PSG for that LW spot that's opening up or to replace Di Maria and for a born and bred Parisian that might appeal.

- Gundogan always seems like the kind of guy who would love moving to Milan, or Barcelona, or Turin for the culture.

-Gabby Jesus is sort of treading water now, the bright start on the RW has faded and Sterling is back ahead of him plus Mahrez, and Palmer is emerging. He might decide he needs a move to fulfil his potential.

- Bernardo might not have changed his mind.

- Sterling will stay IMO but can't leave him off a list like this until he's signed.

- Laporte could well ask to go if Stones and Dias reemerges as our first choice partnership in the business end of the season (which I think it will, maybe for another thread but I think Pep is doing the reverse of last year where he didn't play Laporte until he got happy and then weakened our defence in Feb-May by trying to fit him in).

- Cancelo might decide he wants to play on the right full time, and Real Madrid are expected to spend big on a RB this summer.



IMO Frenkie de Jong would be a signing to plug one of those gaps. I think Dybala could be one of those players as well, a free replacement for Jesus would be nice and straightforward if he did decide to leave.

I think this season might end up being the end of an era for Pep's City, pursuing a striker like Haaland or Kane will change the style of play a lot and other pieces will move around because of that. We won't be worse, just different.

I can see your thinking on almost all of them except for Cancelo? Unless I've missed something he seems perfectly happy playing "LB" (or at least Peps version of it ;) ).

 

[domalino]

I can see your thinking on almost all of them except for Cancelo? Unless I've missed something he seems perfectly happy playing "LB" (or at least Peps version of it ;) ).

I just think he screams "I've always dreamt of playing for Real Madrid" and they desperately need a RB and have loads of money.

They always used to be chasing him when he was at Valencia, it was a yearly story like Gaya to Barcelona.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Exactly that. Rice is good, sure, but FDJ is seemingly available for much cheaper and is a perfect fit for this team. Plus he's not got that English premium nor is he at a club who are likely to play hard ball like West Ham are.

Rice will probably move but West Ham will make sure it's a massive amount they get. I'd rather avoid all that bollocks and head to a bloke unhappy in Barcelona, that we've obviously liked for years and would be willing to come given his comments on the Premier League in recent years.

We've more than liked him. He came over with his girlfriend and family to be shown the house City had secured him.

Spent the day in Manchester, was all in, until Barca came late to the table.

Penny for his thoughts now?

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

If we win everything (Champions League really, but definitely the treble) I wouldn't be surprised to see a few players leave. Playing for Pep is bloody hard work, and burnout is natural for both coach and players, and I think the club would rather an early refresh than leaving it too late.

I would only expect 1 or 2 of these to materialise, but -

- Mahrez might get approached by PSG for that LW spot that's opening up or to replace Di Maria and for a born and bred Parisian that might appeal.

- Gundogan always seems like the kind of guy who would love moving to Milan, or Barcelona, or Turin for the culture.

-Gabby Jesus is sort of treading water now, the bright start on the RW has faded and Sterling is back ahead of him plus Mahrez, and Palmer is emerging. He might decide he needs a move to fulfil his potential.

- Bernardo might not have changed his mind.

- Sterling will stay IMO but can't leave him off a list like this until he's signed.

- Laporte could well ask to go if Stones and Dias reemerges as our first choice partnership in the business end of the season (which I think it will, maybe for another thread but I think Pep is doing the reverse of last year where he didn't play Laporte until he got happy and then weakened our defence in Feb-May by trying to fit him in).

- Cancelo might decide he wants to play on the right full time, and Real Madrid are expected to spend big on a RB this summer.



IMO Frenkie de Jong would be a signing to plug one of those gaps. I think Dybala could be one of those players as well, a free replacement for Jesus would be nice and straightforward if he did decide to leave.

I think this season might end up being the end of an era for Pep's City, pursuing a striker like Haaland or Kane will change the style of play a lot and other pieces will move around because of that. We won't be worse, just different.

Out of interest would you take FDJ & Dembele for Raz & Laporte ? Barca are clearly interested in both and we like De Jong, I haven’t seen enough of Dembele to form an opinion but he obviously has talent & is a good age, can’t see it happening with him being OOC, but I’d like to keep Mahrez for another season while we bring Palmer through.